Burial Services in Wellington
Burial gives your family a lasting place to visit
We will coordinate the cemetery booking, paperwork, service and transport, and keep you informed throughout the arrangements.
You can hold a full service at our chapel and go on to the cemetery afterwards. You can have the whole thing at the graveside instead. Some families do both.
You do not need to settle every detail today. A funeral director is available at any hour to explain the options and guide you through them.
What we take care of
- Booking the plot, and dealing with the cemetery for you
- All the paperwork, the permits, and registering the death
- The service itself, at our chapel, at a church, at the graveside, or somewhere else that suits your family
- Cultural and religious rituals, and the time they need
- Working alongside your minister, celebrant or community leaders
- Caskets and flowers
- Catering, and service sheets printed by our own team
- Transfers to the burial site in a purpose-designed hearse
- One person from our team will handle everything for you and keep you informed throughout.
A service at the graveside
A graveside service happens entirely at the cemetery. No chapel, no second venue. It's usually shorter than a chapel service and it often feels more personal, because everyone is standing together in the one place.
You can have that on its own. You can also have both: a service at our chapel first, then a shorter committal at the graveside for close family only. Neither is more correct than the other.
If you're going to be outside, we'll talk you through the practical side, including what happens if the Wellington weather turns on the day. It usually does, and it's rarely the problem people expect it to be.
Natural burial
Lychgate can arrange natural burials in Wellington. For Wellington City families, these usually take place at Mākara Cemetery, in an area set aside for natural burial.
Natural burial uses biodegradable materials and avoids embalming and chemical treatments. A biodegradable casket or shroud is used, and the cemetery records the exact GPS location so your family can find the place later.
The funeral itself can still be yours. You can hold a service in our chapel first and go to the cemetery afterwards, or have the whole service at the graveside.
Sea burial
A sea burial is a burial at sea rather than in a cemetery. It is less common, and there are rules about where it can happen and permissions to get.
Families usually choose it for someone whose life was tied to the water. We will explain what can be arranged, apply for the necessary permissions and coordinate the practical details.
Most families go out by boat. A helicopter may be possible if a boat is not practical or is not what your family wants.
Let us take care of the arranging
We will listen to what your family has in mind, explain what is involved and outline the likely costs. We will also guide you on which decisions are needed now and which can wait.
