Ashes Interment
A final resting place
Ashes Interment Celebrant for Personal Ceremonies
An ashes interment ceremony marks the placing of ashes in a final resting place, such as a cemetery, family plot or memorial garden. As an Auckland celebrant for ash interment, I help families create a gentle, respectful ceremony that honours their loved one and gives family and friends a sense of completion.
This ceremony can be short and simple, or include words, memories, music, readings, prayers, flowers, or a quiet moment of reflection. I will help you create a gentle, respectful ceremony that honours your loved one and gives family and friends a sense of completion.
The Process
1. Initial contact
We begin with a phone or email chat to talk through where and when the interment will take place, and what kind of ceremony you would like.
2. Confirm the details
We confirm the date, time, location, who will be attending, and any cemetery or venue requirements.
3. Ceremony planning
I help you decide what to include, such as memories, readings, music, prayers, flowers, or a simple moment of quiet reflection.
4. Writing the ceremony
I prepare a short, meaningful ceremony that reflects your loved one and the significance of placing their ashes to rest.
5. Final check-in
Before the day, we confirm the practical details so everything feels clear and calm.
6. The ash interment
On the day, I lead the ceremony with warmth, care and respect, guiding the family through the words and final moments.
7. After the ceremony
I can provide a copy of the ceremony words if you would like to keep them.
Other Funeral Services
Ashes Interment
Frequently Asked Questions
Why even have a funeral or memorial service?
This is a question that I get asked a lot these days. People do not want the fuss or expense. But as much as a Funeral is about honouring the deceased, its most important role is to support those left behind. A funeral gives family and friends the opportunity to come together to share in their grief and to remember someone who was really important in their lives. In my opinion it is an essential step on the long, and often complicated journey of grief.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it is necessary to have the biggest and best casket or the most expensive flowers. It really isn’t about that. But doing something, whether big or small, is really important. It helps us to make sense of what has happened, to acknowledge that grief really sucks and to reinforce everything our loved one was to us. It enables us to begin to move forward without our person in our lives.
If you’re unsure, give me a call, I’m happy to talk it through. No, I won’t try to “sell my services,” but I’ve been in this business for a long time, as a celebrant, as a funeral director, as a bereavement support coordinator and as someone who has also lost people I have loved. I’ve seen and felt what grief can do, so I am happy to be a sounding board for your thoughts.
Whatever you do to farewell your loved one, big or small, private or public, celebrant or no celebrant, or whatever … please do something. xx
What is the difference between a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?
A Funeral Director takes care of everything to do with the deceased. They arrange the funeral and all the logistics involved. They are also responsible for registering the death.
A Celebrant is responsible for the ceremony itself. They will find out about your person and the life they led, and work with you to ensure you get to say goodbye in a way that feels right to you. The Celebrant and Funeral Director work as a team to ensure everything runs well on the day.
Where can I hold a memorial service?
This can be held absolutely anywhere! At your home, or a club for example. Even in a bush or at a beach. Wherever feels right to you. If you are having a large gathering in a public place though, it may pay to check if you need to book the location. Auckland Council have good guidelines and contact details here… Park locations for your ceremony. If you want somewhere that offers catering, I can recommend Beaufords in Totara Park.
What is an ash interment and how do I organise one?
When someone is cremated, you may choose to inter the ashes into a plot at a cemetery. This might be an ash plot or into a gravesite that you already own (another family member is buried there. There is some paperwork that must be completed and an interment fee to be paid. You could ask your Funeral Director to organise this or you contact the cemetery directly and arrange it with them. Auckland Council Cemeteries can be contacted here.
If you choose to, you can use a Celebrant to officiate an Ash Interment Ceremony.
Do you need to have the ashes at a memorial service?
No. This is completely up to you. It’s always nice to have a focus in a ceremony, but this could be a nice photo with flowers and candles. Whatever feels right for you.
What happens if the celebrant is unable to be there on the day?
If, through unforseen circumstances, I am unable to be there on the day (and this has never happened yet – touch wood), I have a network of wonderful colleagues that I would turn to, to step in for me. Don’t worry, I would never leave you in the lurch!
What is Celebrants Aotearoa and why it matters?
Celebrants Aotearoa is the professional association for celebrants in New Zealand, and I am proud to be a VCANZ validated member. VCANZ recognises experienced celebrants who have demonstrated ongoing professional development, reflective practice and a commitment to professional standards. For families, it offers added reassurance that I take my role, my responsibilities and your ceremony seriously.
Celebration of Life or Celebration of Love.
The Right Celebrant for You.
