Forrest Funeral Services

24/04/2022

At the going down of the sun and in the morning .. we will remember them ..

30/09/2021

YOU DON’T JUST LOSE SOMEONE ONCE

You lose them over and over,
sometimes many times a day.
When the loss, momentarily forgotten,
creeps up,
and attacks you from behind.
Fresh waves of grief as the realisation hits home,
they are gone.
Again.

You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every time you open your eyes to a new dawn,
and as you awaken,
so does your memory,
so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart,
they are gone.
Again.

Losing someone is a journey,
not a one-off.
There is no end to the loss,
there is only a learned skill on how to stay afloat,
when it washes over.

Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea,
they have a journey ahead of them,
and a daily shock to the system each time they realise,
they are gone,
Again.

You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every day,

for a lifetime.

Touching words by Donna Ashworth Words

Gorgeous art by Kenneth Crane

Always With Love

22/09/2021

Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm, Tuesday 21 September. As an essential service, our Funeral home remains open. We are determined to provide the best care and guidance for you at this difficult time.

During Alert Level 3 we must operate under strict conditions, which are outlined below:

Funeral Services
Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed for funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained, with attendees keeping 2 metres apart where possible (apart from with people within their extended bubble). Our Funeral Directors will utilise the use of web streaming technology to ensure those unable to attend in person, can view the service from the safety of their own home. We are unable to hold any reception functions offering food or beverages, however, we have partnered with many local caterers who can deliver something special to your family home or take with you after the service. It’s a chance for you to celebrate and toast your loved one, from within your household bubble.

Healthy Grieving
Know that you aren’t alone. These limitations will have an effect on the way we honour those we’ve lost but we are committed to helping you find innovative ways to connect with your loved ones and can still offer counselling over the phone.

Cremations and Burials
Under Alert Level 3 cremations and burials will still take place, Cemeteries and crematoria are open and we can liaise with your chosen crematorium or cemetery for their guidelines under Alert Level 3.

Arrangements
We will attempt to make arrangements via telephone and have paperwork completed electronically. If this is not possible for you for any reason please let us know. If required we will make an appointment for you to visit the funeral home.

Only one representative may come to the funeral home if this is required.

Viewings
Any person entering our funeral home will be asked to scan in by our friendly team. We will ask you for all your details so we can contact trace if needed.

Single ‘self-isolated family bubbles’ may make appointments to visit a loved one in our care so long as they are not unwell or are showing symptoms of Covid-19

Our Facilities
If you are required to come to us we will schedule a time for you to visit. Before and after your visit we will ensure all commonly touched objects and surfaces are cleaned. You can still contact us via email or telephone.

Updated: 21st September 2021

18/08/2021

As of 11.59pm on August 17th 2021 the whole of New Zealand entered Alert Level 4 of the New Zealand Covid-19 Alert Levels.
Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula for an initial period of 7 days and rest of New Zealand for 3 days. Under these conditions only essential businesses can operate as the New Zealand public are advised to stay at home within their ‘self-isolated family bubbles’.
Funeral homes fall within the ‘Health’ category of essential businesses, we are here for you should you need us, but along with all other funeral homes we must operate under strict conditions.
Gathering together for funerals and tangihanga is not permitted at Alert Level 4.
This includes gatherings at burials, cremations, memorial services, open or closed caskets or viewings, funeral wakes, processions or receptions and social gatherings, both indoors and outdoors.
Funeral Services

No funeral services or tangihanga can occur while we remain at Alert Level 4. This includes public and private gatherings either indoors or out.
We understand that this is upsetting and goes against common cultural practices and our funeral directors will work with you to come up with alternate ways of grieving while we are self-isolating.
Healthy Grieving

Know that you aren’t alone. These limitations will have an effect on the way we honour those we’ve lost but we are committed to helping you find innovative ways to connect with your loved ones and can still offer counselling over the phone.
Cremations and Burials

Under Alert Level 4 cremations and burials will still take place, however families will not be allowed to attend. Cemeteries and crematoria are closed to the public until further notice.
Arrangements

We will attempt to make arrangements via telephone and have paperwork completed electronically. If this is not possible for you for any reason please let us know. If required we will make an appointment for you to visit the funeral home.
Only one representative may come to the funeral home if this is required.
Our Facilities

During this crisis our doors will be locked but you can still contact us via email or telephone. If you are required to come to us we will schedule a time for you to visit. Before and after your visit we will ensure all commonly touched objects and surfaces are cleaned.
Updated: 18 Aug 2021

27/02/2021

Unfortunately we find ourselves again in COVID Alert Level 3, commencing this morning at 6am. However as an essential service, our Funeral home remains open and our staff are available to help. We are determined to provide the best care and guidance for you at this difficult time. During Alert Level 3 we must operate under strict conditions, which are outlined below:

Funeral Services

Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed for funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained, with attendees keeping 2 metres apart where possible (apart from with people within their extended bubble). Our Funeral Directors will utilise the use of web streaming technology to ensure those unable to attend in person, can view the service from the safety of their own home. We are unable to hold any reception functions offering food or beverages, however, we have partnered with many local caterers who can deliver something special to your family home or take with you after the service. It’s a chance for you to celebrate and toast your loved one, from within your household bubble.
Healthy Grieving

Know that you aren’t alone. These limitations will have an effect on the way we honour those we’ve lost but we are committed to helping you find innovative ways to connect with your loved ones and can still offer counselling over the phone.
Cremations and Burials

Under Alert Level 3 cremations and burials will still take place, Cemeteries and crematoria are open and we can liaise with your chosen crematorium or cemetery for their guidelines under Alert Level 3.
Arrangements

We will attempt to make arrangements via telephone and have paperwork completed electronically. If this is not possible for you for any reason please let us know. If required we will make an appointment for you to visit the funeral home.
Only one representative may come to the funeral home if this is required.
Viewings

There is an opportunity for family and whānau (up to 10 people in total) who have been in the same isolation bubble as the deceased (or would have been if the deceased died in isolation) to go to the funeral home to view the body in the first instance.
Other family, whānau, friends or others in separate isolation bubbles, and from within the same region, can go to the funeral home for viewing, but only up to a maximum of 10 people at any one time.
Viewings should be made by appointment only.
Viewings must be contained to family and whānau from within the same bubble (ie, no mixing of multiple bubbles for a singular viewing)
Individuals should only undertake one viewing (ie, people should not be coming and going as part of their bubble or with other bubbles)
Furthermore, the number of people who will be able to view the body may need to be negotiated with the funeral director depending on the size of the funeral home (taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene requirements)
Our Facilities

During this crisis our doors may be locked but you can still contact us via email or telephone. If you are required to come to us we will schedule a time for you to visit. Before and after your visit we will ensure all commonly touched objects and surfaces are cleaned.
Updated: 27 Feb 2021

14/02/2021

Covid-19 Update – Level 3

At 11:59pm on Sunday 14th Feb, 2021, the Auckland Region will re-enter Alert Level 3 of the New Zealand Covid-19 Alert Levels.
As an essential service, our Funeral home remains open. We are determined to provide the best care and guidance for you at this difficult time. During Alert Level 3 we must operate under strict conditions, which are outlined below:
Funeral Services

Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed for funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained, with attendees keeping 2 metres apart where possible (apart from with people within their extended bubble). Our Funeral Directors will utilise the use of web streaming technology to ensure those unable to attend in person, can view the service from the safety of their own home. We are unable to hold any reception functions offering food or beverages, however, we have partnered with many local caterers who can deliver something special to your family home or take with you after the service. It’s a chance for you to celebrate and toast your loved one, from within your household bubble.
Healthy Grieving

Know that you aren’t alone. These limitations will have an effect on the way we honour those we’ve lost but we are committed to helping you find innovative ways to connect with your loved ones and can still offer counselling over the phone.
Cremations and Burials

Under Alert Level 3 cremations and burials will still take place, Cemeteries and crematoria are open and we can liaise with your chosen crematorium or cemetery for their guidelines under Alert Level 3.
Arrangements

We will attempt to make arrangements via telephone and have paperwork completed electronically. If this is not possible for you for any reason please let us know. If required we will make an appointment for you to visit the funeral home.
Only one representative may come to the funeral home if this is required.
Viewings

There is an opportunity for family and whānau (up to 10 people in total) who have been in the same isolation bubble as the deceased (or would have been if the deceased died in isolation) to go to the funeral home to view the body in the first instance.
Other family, whānau, friends or others in separate isolation bubbles, and from within the same region, can go to the funeral home for viewing, but only up to a maximum of 10 people at any one time.
Viewings should be made by appointment only.
Viewings must be contained to family and whānau from within the same bubble (ie, no mixing of multiple bubbles for a singular viewing)
Individuals should only undertake one viewing (ie, people should not be coming and going as part of their bubble or with other bubbles)
Furthermore, the number of people who will be able to view the body may need to be negotiated with the funeral director depending on the size of the funeral home (taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene requirements)
Our Facilities

During this crisis our doors may be locked but you can still contact us via email or telephone. If you are required to come to us we will schedule a time for you to visit. Before and after your visit we will ensure all commonly touched objects and surfaces are cleaned.
Updated: 14 Feb 2021

24/04/2020

‘Lest we forget ‘ ....

24/04/2020

24/03/2020

COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work and play. We are all in this together.
What hasn’t changed is our steadfast commitment to honouring a family’s loved ones, respectfully and with dignity. As an essential service we will continue to deliver professional services to be proud of.
We are well prepared, and have put in place new ways of working that will protect our staff and the families we care for. Our customer service and attention to hygiene is of the highest standard. We won’t compromise on this.
We may not be able to bring communities physically together for a Funeral Service, however, we can bring you all together via web-stream facilities and other modes of technology.
Our team is empathetic, innovative and are there for you.
Please talk to us if you need us.

20/03/2020

SPECIAL NOTICE: COVID-19
The team at Forrest Funeral Services take the health and well-being of our staff and community very seriously. We will continue to support you and your loved ones during this uncertain time. We will need to implement necessary measures to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 with the guidance of the Ministry of Health.
The current situation is unusual and is evolving every day. We are committed to providing our families with great service in every circumstance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we introduce these changes to our usual practices as the situation changes. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how the situation might affect your specific funeral please contact our office so we can assist further.
Please take care and look out for each other so we can minimise the risks to you and your family.
If you or your family have immediate concerns relating to Covid-19, please call the dedicated Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or visit the Ministry website here

23/09/2019

It was recently the Mid-Autumn festival in China...as we in NZ celebrate Mid-Spring. A family came in to our funeral home to sit with and honour the ashes of their loved one as it is a time to reconnect with family members and to honour family reunion and happiness. We do the same here, when we honour the Spring Equinox and the renewal and rebirth of the earth and animals around us. Family traditions are special and important to all of us, wherever we are ❤