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Company History:

The company originally Kings Funeral Services, has served the bereaved in the Wairarapa since 1876.

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home is a privately owned and operated family business, committed to serving the bereaved in our community. Jenny & Peter Giddens purchased the business from Denny & Norma Chew in April 1997. Denny & Norma still have an interest in the business and offer assistance when required.

Jenny & Peter live in Carterton and have a family of three boys. 

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home is a member of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand and is bound by the associations Code of Ethics.

Funerals are arranged and directed anywhere a family wish, whether it be in their local Church (of any denomination) in town or country or from our Chapel at the Richmond Funeral Home, 10 Richmond Road, Carterton.

0800 379-7616

Services:

For the convenience of families who live in an area that require a toll call, D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home have an 0800 number, this number is 0800 379-7616

24 Hour Service to all districts :

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home have trained staff available 24 hours a day seven days a week to offer assistance to families and individuals during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

The Richmond Funeral Home :

The Richmond Funeral Home situated at 10 Richmond Road, Carterton has a Chapel area which can accommodate approximately 100 people. An overflow area with close circuit television is available when required for larger numbers. The Chapel can be used for any type of service the family may wish, either religious or non religious. Using our Chapel in no way dictates the type of service the family may wish to have. The family can still choose the funeral of their choice.

For the smaller funeral, refreshments can be served in the foyer of the Funeral Home after the service or alternatively a hall adjacent can be arranged.

Also within the Funeral Home complex is an area available to allow family and friends the opportunity to visit and pay their last respects in peaceful surroundings if they wish to do so.

It can also be arranged to have loved ones at home in familiar surroundings if you so wish.

After Funeral Catering:

Many families wish to share refreshments and fellowship with family and friends after the service. We can assist with arranging the venue and catering requirements for families if they wish.

Alternatively for those wishing to cater at home we have cups, saucers, water urns, tea pots, etc available for families to use.

Casket Selection

We offer a comprehensive range of caskets to allow families to select a casket to suit their individual requirements.

Casket Flowers :

Casket flowers can be arranged on your behalf, from a florist of your choice.

Newspaper Notices :

Our Staff will assist with compiling an appropriate notice for the paper and will place the notice in any local, national or international newspaper you choose.

Suggestions of how a newspaper notice could be set out:

CITIZEN - JOHN. Regt No etc (If returned service person).

On ....................... (suddenly/peacefully) at ....................... Aged ....................... years

Dearly loved husband of...............................................................

Loved father and father-in-law of...............................................

Cherished Grandad of ..................................................................

Other considerations:..................................................................

In lieu of a floral tribe a donation to: (A charity or organization of your choice) .......... ............................................................................

A service for John will be held at .................................................

Followed by private Cremation or Interment at the ................................ Lawn cemetery

Messages to the Citizen family C/- P.O. Box 185, Carterton.

(We recommend it is unwise to place a residential address in the paper and therefore suggest that families use a P.O. Box number if they have access to one or have messages sent C/- our Box number.)

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home , FDANZ, Carterton Ph (06) 379-7616

(Having our name at the bottom of the notice allows friends, florists etc to seek clarification of any queries they have without disturbing the family)

Hymn Sheets:

We can provide service sheets to record the hymns and order of service when required. We have a large selection of pre-printed scenes and plain sheets to choose from, with coloured photos now a popular choice.

Taping of the Service:

We can arrange for a cassette tape recording of the service to be made for you on request.

A video recording is also possible. It is important that the request for a video recording is made in plenty of time so this can be arranged. 

Tribute Cards:

We can supply a tribute card on request, for those attending the service to sign. These will form part of a Memorial Album presented to the family later and will give the family a record of those who attended the service.

Alternative Ceremonies

For those families who request an alternative ceremony we can arrange for a celebrant or suitable person to meet the families individual needs.

Arranging Venue:

We will discuss with the family their requirements and will make the necessary arrangements with regard to the service venue, wherever it may be and will arrange the clergy of your choice or suitable person to take the service.

Cremations or Burials Arranged:

We can arrange for a Burial or Cremation anywhere in New Zealand.

Burials:

For Burials we can arrange for an existing family plot to be prepared or can arrange for a new plot to be purchased to meet the requirements of the family in a cemetery of their choice.

Cremation:

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home own and operate their own cremation facility known as the Clareville Crematorium which is situated at the Clareville Cemetery.

After Cremation:

There are many options available to families when deciding on the placement of a loved ones cremated remains. Our staff will discuss the options available with families and assist them with their choice. Family attendance at the placement of the ashes is also an option, and is often encouraged nowadays.

Wooden urns to place a loved ones cremated remains in are available on request.

Memorials:

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home are monumental agents for Headstones Wairarapa (formely Hoar and Son) Masterton. Whether it be a new memorial or a further inscription on an existing memorial, we can assist you with all your monumental requirements. There is no additional charge associated with us arranging this work for you.

Transportation and shipment:

We are able to arrange for the repatriation of persons to other centres in New Zealand and overseas.

Funeral Costs:

We can provide a funeral to suit your needs and financial requirements.

We understand the circumstances that some families find themselves in over the payment of the funeral account. If you have concerns regarding payment of the funeral expenses it is important that you discuss these concerns with us as early as possible, as we may be able to offer advice on the number of disbursements needed and their relevant costs. e.g.. flowers, newspaper notices, cemetery charges etc.

We are happy to provide an estimate of costs on request.

The Funeral Account:

The funeral account is due for payment within six weeks of the date of death and there is normally a discount offered if the account is settled in full by that date.

The person making the funeral arrangements is responsible for the expenses incurred, however when there is a solicitor handling the Estate for the family, the funeral account can be forwarded directly to that solicitor, who in turn will liaise with the family and make arrangements to pay the account.

What is included in the Funeral Account?:

The Funeral account is really four accounts in one.

Following is an example of how a funeral account is set out:

(Costs are not included as a cost of a funeral is determined largely by the individual wishes of families. We are happy to give an estimate of costs on an individual basis on request.)

The family have some control of the costs associated with the casket (as this can be chosen) and the Disbursements (Other Charges) as these relate directly to family wishes/requirements.

Financial Advice:

We can advise and assist families with applying for funeral grants from Work and Income (NZ) and the Accident Compensation Corporation and can also assist and advise families on closing bank accounts in small estates.

Financial Assistance:

Following is information about Financial Assistance 

that may be available to you from Government Agencies.

(The amounts may be subject to change)

WORK AND INCOME N.Z (WINZ):

If there is a surviving spouse a Funeral Grant to a maximum of $1,925.34 may be available from Income Support. (This is asset tested).

For a single or solo person whose estate is unable to meet the total cost of funeral expenses a Funeral Grant to a maximum of $1,925.34 may be available from Income Support.

A Childs Funeral Grant, again from Income Support to a maximum of $1,925.34 (Parents income and assets come into the equation).

Ex - Service Persons

In addition to the above grants, a person who served in the Armed Forces before December 1947 may be entitled to a free or subsidised cemetery plot in the Services Lawn Cemetery.

This may also apply to those who served in Korea, J. Force, Malaya or United Nation Peace Keeping Forces.

For a Returned Service Person whose death was caused directly to War service or who was 70% permanently incapacitated due to war service and was receiving a War Pension at the time of death the WINZ Funeral Grant entitlement may be slightly greater than the above grant.

A.C.C.

In the case of accidental death, A.C.C. may contribute towards the funeral expenses up to a maximum of $5,541.23 (Other grants may also be available to a dependent spouse and children). The word dependent is defined by A.C.C.

You cannot claim a Funeral Grant from both WINZ and A.C.C.

If you have any queries regarding these grants please feel free to contact the staff at D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home who will be able to advise and assist you.

Aftercare:

We offer an aftercare service to the bereaved families we serve. This may be by way of a phone call or friendly chat over a cup of tea, at some stage after the funeral. We also have free brochures available to help explain to people the many varied aspects of grief. If you feel you need help or who would appreciate a chat don't hesitate to contact us.

We are also available to speak to community service groups, schools and professional care giving groups in the community when called upon. These services are at no extra cost.

Pre-arranged and Pre-paid Funerals:

For peace of mind and to save family members the burden of funeral arrangements we offer a pre-arrangement service where those wishing to can pre-arrange their funeral with us. The information given to us is kept in the strictest confidence.

We also offer the Family Bereavement Plan approved by the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand which allows individuals to pre-arrange and pre-pay their funeral. The monies received are not held within our company but are paid into "The Family Bereavement Plan" which is managed by Sovereign Assurance Company Ltd.

Under present government legislation Pre-paid funeral funds up to $10,000.00 are exempt from asset testing when assessing eligibility for long term residential care.

No obligation inquiries about these services are most welcome.

Books Available:

Listed below are books we have readily available to assist you during this time and in the days that follow.

If you would like a copy please feel free to contact us.

Riding the Storms by Lois Tonkin

This book explains stages of grief and will help you understand some of the feelings you may be experiencing. You may or may not experience all or any of the stages mentioned, as grief is an individual experience. Let this book minister to you, where you are, don't be unduly concerned about suggestions beyond your own experience.

Everybody Hurts Sometimes  by Lois Tonkin

This book is designed to explain the stages of death and offer support and reassurance to teenagers.

The Story of a House on a Hill by Denny Chew

A Parable about death and dying, designed to help parents, grandparents, caregivers, relatives and friends enter into a gentle, healthy dialogue with young children on the subject of death.

Good Grief, by: Granger E. Westberg

This book explains stages of grief and will help you understand some of the feelings you may be experiencing.  You may or may not experience all or any of the stages mentioned, as grief is an individual experience. Let this book minister to you, where you are, don't be unduly concerned about suggestions beyond your own experience.

Water Bugs and Dragonflies by: Doris Stickney
This book has a message for young and old and in particular will assist parents in explaining death to young children .

Help in Times of Need Compiled by Christian Ministries Trust H.B.

This book contains quotes from Scripture as well as many non-religious quotes and poems that can give comfort at times of crisis in our lives.

What you need to know about funerals:

A publication from the FDANZ (Funeral Directors Association of NZ)

This informative book answers some of the many questions people have about funerals.

We also have a small library of books from which we are happy to lend.

Bereavement Care Brochures:

Also available in our Bereavement Care series are the following brochures:

• Burial or Cremation - making a choice

• Alternative Ceremonies - can we do it this way?

• Bereavement and Grieving - dealing with the death of someone close

• Children Grieve Too - supporting grieving children & teenagers

• Time Together - spending time with a person who has died

• The Funeral Director - making the right choice

Also the My Life, My Funeral Kit which contains the following booklets:

• Organising My Funeral
• My Personal Information and Funeral Choices
• My Notifications

For a copy of our informative brochures, a My Life My Funeral Kit, or for further information please either email us at giddens@xtra.co.nz or contact

Peter & Jenny Giddens

D & N Chew - Richmond Funeral Home

10 Richmond Road

(P.O. Box 185)

Carterton

Phone: (06) 379-7616

Fax (06) 379-7624

Toll free 0800 379-7616