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Robert J. Cotton & Sons Ltd is a privately owned and operated family business serving Palmerston North and districts. Established in July 1967 by Robert Cotton. On his sudden death in 1972 the business was taken over by his eldest son Trevor who runs the business with his wife Ruth and son Hayden.

Robert J. Cotton & Sons Ltd are members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ) and are bound by their Code of Ethics.

Terracehaven Chapel

Our new extension to our Chapel, which is fully carpeted and air conditioned was completed in November 1999 with seating for 280 with a large Atrium which is fully air conditioned and can hold over 150 people. Our Chapel is also looped for the hearing impaired.

We also provide off street parking for up to 50 vehicles. A professional organist is available to play our electronic organ or you may prefer to arrange for one privately.

Interview and Viewing Rooms

Adjacent to the chapel allows family and friends to pay their last respects to a loved one in privacy and also our interview and viewing room could cater for family services up to 12 people.

Services we Offer

There are many services available to you and we will be only too happy to carry out the services that you wish us to provide.

Reception Lounge (Terracelounge)

Light refreshments are available in our lounge after the funeral service.

We are able to cater and serve refreshments, or alternatively, families can provide the refreshments themselves.

Monumental Requirements

We can assist you with your granite and bronze memorials or existing memorial in any cemetery in Palmerston North and districts. There is no extra charge to you if we arrange the memorial work for you.

Flowers:

We are able to arrange the casket flowers of your choice and from a florist of your choice.

Casket Selection:

We offer a full range of caskets, you may wish to choose a casket from our range displayed in our selection room.

Hymn Sheets:

We have a wide range of service sheets for the order of service which contains hymns, readings, tributes and pallbearers etc. and you are also able to have a coloured photo of your loved one on the service sheet.

Tape-Video of Service:

We are also able to audio or video the service for you if family member or friend are away, it is helpful for them.

Tribute Card:

We are able to provide a tribute card for those attending the service to sign, it is placed in a Memorial Album that we send to families following the service. Other members of the family are able to receive a copy on request.

Arranging Venue:

A venue for the service (our Chapel, Church, Public Hall, own Home / Garden or Graveside) can be arranged for you. A clergy or celebrant of your choice can be arranged to take the service, even a relative or family friend could take the service for you.

Financial Advice:

Assistance is available for families requiring help with funeral costs, we can help you with advice on application for funeral grants from Work and Income New Zealand and Accident Compensation Corporation.

Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) are able to help those who are unable to pay the full cost of the funeral account. A grant of $1855.75 is available, our funeral director will advise you and help you with the appropriate forms and apply on your behalf if you are entitled for any help.

Accident Compensation Corporation has a funeral grant of $5541.23 towards funeral expenses if death is a result of an accident.

Robert J. Cotton's staff will be able to advise you on these grants and if you are able to get any other help.

Pre Arranged and Pre Paid Funerals:

To save family members the burden of funeral arrangements a pre-arrangement service is available. All details are recorded in the strictest confidence. No obligation enquiries are welcome and advice is given at any time.

Under present Government Legistation you can have pre-paid funeral funds up to $10,000 exempt from asset testing when assessing eligibility for long term residential care. You may invest smaller amounts if you wish and we will be only too happy to advise you on a suitable amount.

Robert J. Cotton & Sons Ltd offer a pre-payment plan that is available through the ANZ bank, Adis Account.  All monies are held by the ANZ bank and receive interest that accumulates with the prinicpal.  The funds are held in the participants name under the Robert J. Cotton & Sons portfolio and is subject to auditing each year.

Funeral Cost:

We provide a funeral to suit your needs and your financial circumstances. Please feel free to discuss your concerns with us when making the funeral arrangements or pre-arranging. There are ways of keeping costs to a minimum.

Funeral Account:

The funeral account is due for payment 6 weeks from the date of death and we offer a discount for an early payment if settled in full by the due date. The funeral account is made of four accounts in one.

Our Professional Services

Which covers our services, removals from place of death, use of facilities, arranging notices in newspapers, liaison with clergy, organists, cemetery, and any other arrangements we make on behalf of families.

Casket

Which is chosen by the family.

Disbursements

These are the accounts paid on the families behalf, covering cemetery fees, newspaper notices, flowers, minister, organist fee, catering, service sheets and any other services we arrange on the families behalf.

G.S.T. - All funeral costs are subject to G.S.T.

Death Notices:

We are able to place these in any newspaper in New Zealand or around the world. Below are some ideas to help you word a death notice. Our staff will help you in compiling a notice. The following format will help those who wish to prepare a notice in advance.

CITIZEN, Jack. Regt No etc (for returned serviceman) of (town or city) not recommended to put street address)

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

Dearly loved husband / best friend / pal of.......................

Loved father, father-in-law / dad of..................................

Cherished / treasured Grandad / pop / grandma / nana of..............

Other family..........................

In lieu of a floral tribute a donation made to (an organisation of your choice).

Messages c/- Citizen family P.O. Box 5191 Palmerston North (we suggest you don't put an address in the paper, you may use our Private Box Number, as your address could be a target for unwanted attention).

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

Thereafter private cremation or interment at the ............... Cemetery / Crematorium.

Robert J. Cotton & Sons Ltd FDANZ (06)3552529 Palmerston North.

For more information and brochures,

please either e-mail us at robertjcotton@xtra.co.nz or telephone us at:

Robert J. Cotton & Sons Ltd

697 Main Street,

Palmerston Nort h

Phone (06) 355-2529

Fax (06) 355-3529