How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

Every Family Deserves Price Transparency

Some families agree that a funeral service should be a real celebration, whilst others prefer a private more simplified gathering. There is no right or wrong in these different choices. The only ‘wrong’ is when families are not fully informed of the various options available, and then not provided with clear pricing to support their decisions.

We are committed to delivering support and guidance so that you can create a funeral which is unique to your family.  We also believe that every client family deserves price transparency; no surprises, no hidden costs.

Our Price Guarantee

A quote is provided for every funeral. We provide you a written quote of the funeral that you have arranged with your funeral director. Price transparency is important and this quote is our price guarantee, no hidden costs.

Below are some example scenarios that will help illustrate how different choices can determine the overall price.  

Simple Cremation – $5,450

For those wanting a discreet yet dignified cremation without a ceremony.

  • Transfer from place of death to Lamb & Hayward
  • Essential mortuary care
  • No viewing
  • Cremation casket
  • Transfer to Christchurch Crematorium
  • Direct cremation at Christchurch Crematorium
  • Death registration and certificate
    • Additional options
      • Newspaper notice
      • Jewellery
      • Urns
      • Keepsakes

Cremation with Viewing – $4,990 (plus casket from $1,670)

The opportunity to spend time saying goodbye, before a private cremation.

  • Transfer from place of death to Lamb & Hayward
  • Mortuary care including partial embalming
  • One 30 min viewing at Lamb & Hayward
  • Transfer to Christchurch Crematorium
  • Direct cremation at Christchurch Crematorium
  • Death registration and certificate
    • Additional options
      • Newspaper notice
      • Jewellery
      • Urns
      • Keepsakes

A Service Your Way

A full funeral service can take many formats and be held in a variety of venues, including our purpose-built venues across Christchurch. The following scenarios are designed to give you an idea of what is possible, and the associated costs.

Scenario One – $11,234

This family choose to hold a small service that is mostly for family members with a few invited friends at our new Oaklands Chapel in Halswell. Their father was a gardener so instead of flowers it was decided that a vegetable tribute was more in keeping and this was supplied from the family garden. Service sheets ordered also mirror this connection. A celebrant will lead the service, keeping it low key in line with the family’s wishes. At the conclusion of the ceremony the family will head home for an informal barbecue lunch.

  • Private weekday funeral at our Oaklands Chapel
  • Cremation at Christchurch Crematorium
  • Hearse
  • Celebrant
  • Maple flat lid casket
  • Professional service fee*
  • Transfer fee from place of death
  • Essential mortuary care
  • 1 x newspaper notice – The Press
  • Service sheets for 50 people
  • Viewing at chapel
  • Death certificate

Scenario Two – $13,232.50

This family wish to have a service at our Westpark Chapel followed by a reception in the William Lounge; they are expecting about 60 people to attend. There will be viewing at Westpark during the days prior to the service taking place. A celebrant will be engaged who will meet with the family to determine the structure of the service. The family will also meet with the Graphics Team and with their input a photographic tribute and service sheets will be created. To reflect a love of tramping and the outdoors, they have chosen an Eco Pine casket. Following the cremation, the family intends to scatter the ashes at a special place.

  • Funeral service at our Westpark Chapel
  • Celebrant
  • Eco Pine casket
  • Professional service fee*
  • Transfer fee
  • Mortuary care
  • Music selection
  • Service sheets for 60 people
  • Photographic tribute
  • Hearse Hire
  • Refreshments for 50 people
  • Cremation at Christchurch Crematorium
  • Death certificate

Scenario Three – $13,561.60

The family have a North Canterbury connection and choose to hold a service for family and friends at our Wai-mana Chapel.  They show their grandfather’s love of farming, by using a woollen casket and have his vintage Massey Ferguson parked up on the grass in full view of the main chapel window. A celebrant has met with the family and leads the service, followed by refreshments in the catering lounge.

  • Weekday funeral service at our Wai-mana Chapel
  • Cremation at Christchurch Crematorium
  • Hearse
  • Celebrant
  • Woollen casket
  • Professional service fee*
  • Transfer fee from place of death
  • Essential mortuary care
  • Service sheets for 80 people
  • Viewing at the chapel
  • Refreshments for 80 people
  • Death certificate

Scenario Four – $12,699.05

With a strong connection to their local church, the family wish for their mother’s funeral to be held at St Pauls, with their parish priest officiating. It is important to the family that their mother rests in her casket at the family home in the days before the funeral. The family will make a private donation to the church, and parish volunteers have offered to supply and host the morning tea in the church hall. Following this, the family will follow the hearse in cortege to Avonhead Memorial Cemetery, where she will be buried in a plot, she and her husband purchased several years earlier.

  • Weekday funeral service at their local church
  • Burial at a Christchurch City Council Cemetery
  • Hearse
  • White flat lid casket
  • Casket spray made from fresh flowers
  • Professional services fee*
  • Transfer fee from place of death
  • Mortuary care including full embalm
  • Transfer to the family home
  • Service sheets for 100 people
  • Death certificate

*When Lamb & Hayward is engaged by a family to arrange and conduct a funeral service, we charge a professional service fee.

This is a fixed charge for engaging our company and reflects the overall amenities, guidance and expertise that we provide. Depending on individual needs these services may vary from family to family. The fee covers and makes available to the family all of Lamb & Hayward’s resources, professional guidance, after care bereavement service, our time and availability whenever needed.

Some families may choose to arrange various elements of the funeral themselves. In this case our team does not relinquish any responsibility and will always follow up with any given provider to ensure that items or services are delivered correctly and on time. This means that the overall quality of the funeral experience remains our priority, underpinning our primary role to ensure that all aspects meet or exceed your expectations.