This article is part of the Funeral Services topic. Below are more articles in this topic.
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Everyone in the team at Elliotts Funeral Services features in the firm’s advertising because, manager Neil Gedge says, the service the firm provides relies on the qualities and professionalism of the people who work there. “We’re very proud of our people here and we want everyone to know how good they are,” Neil says.
Neil and his team enjoy speaking to groups, and say they welcome calls from local groups who would like him to come and talk to them about funerals and what is involved. Alternatively, he says, he is happy to show people around the chapel, reception area and viewing room at Elliotts’ premises on Ninth Avenue, Tauranga.
“There are so many decisions to make when planning a funeral – where to have the funeral service, who should take the service, what music and readings to have, burial or cremation and where that should be, what flowers to have, and where to have the viewing. It helps to have an experienced professional on hand,” Neil says.
Once the choices are made, Elliotts’ funeral directors assist with all the necessary arrangements so the family can be sure everything will flow smoothly, they can also assist families wanting to pay for the funeral in advance.
As a member of the Funeral Directors’ Association of New Zealand professional body, Elliotts offer the FDANZ Funeral Trust bereavement plan which allows for payment by easy instalments from $20 a fortnight, or lump sum payments, which are exempt from asset testing for long-term residential care.
The FDANZ, which represents over 80% of New Zealand’s funeral firms, holds the funds in trust under a trust deed that requires all of the funds to be held by a registered bank.
“This means people can pay for the funeral now and relieve the family of the financial burden at what is usually a stressful time,” Neil says. “No health checks are needed and no personal questions are asked. Anyone of any age or health status can prearrange an FDANZ Funeral Trust funeral with Elliotts.
“It also means people can make their choices well in advance – the music they want, the venue and so on. We will record these, at no charge, so these wishes are known when the time comes.”
He adds that people can still change their arrangements if they need to. 
Elliotts Funeral Services This article is part of the Funeral Services topic. Below are more articles in this topic.
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