Hardings Funerals Ltd

10/02/2026

Can funerals be fun?

09/02/2026

Brittany — Calm, Caring, and Here When It Matters Most

Brittany qualified in funeral directing in 2024, and since then she’s been a quiet, steady presence for families at Hardings. In moments that can feel overwhelming and emotional, her calm reassurance helps guide people through some of life’s hardest days.

A big part of her work happens behind the scenes — in the clinical care of the person who has died. Embalming is often misunderstood, but it serves an important purpose. Dying can be hard on the body, and embalming restores dignity and ensures sanitation. It’s about care, respect, and making sure the person is presented in a way that honours them.

It also creates a memory picture for families — seeing their loved one at peace can bring comfort during a difficult time. That first moment can help people hold onto a positive memory, even in grief, and begin to say goodbye in a gentle, meaningful way.

Brittany approaches this work with skill, attention to detail, and, most importantly, compassion. Every step she takes — from careful preparation to thoughtful presentation — is guided by respect for the person who has died and for the families who loved them.

At Hardings, we see clinical care not just as procedure, but as an act of empathy. Brittany embodies that perfectly, showing that professionalism and heart go hand in hand, and proving that even the most private moments of care can leave a lasting impact on those who need it most.

06/02/2026

https://remembered.co.nz/funerals/16598/aish-carolyn-ann

We talk a lot about being human — and sometimes we prove it a little too well. This time, a very important “s” fell off our website address, which is… not ideal. :-( To help make sure no one misses out because of our very human slip-up, we’re sharing Carolyn’s details here for anyone who’s connected and would like to attend her funeral, either in person or via livestream. And yes — we’re really sorry about the confusion.

Dearly loved wife of the late Walter. Loved mother and mother in law of Deborah and Micheal Rawson, and Edward and Bronwyn Aish. Adored oma of Ethan and Alison, Dwight and Robyn; Gwyneth, Felicity, and Faith. Treasured great oma of Walter, River, Jasper, Vivian, and soon to arrive Baby Rawson. A ser...

05/02/2026

It’s Okay to Laugh at a Funeral

People often think funerals have to be serious from start to finish. Quiet voices. Straight faces. No room for anything else. And yes — funerals are important. They carry weight. They deserve care, ceremony, and respect. But they also deserve honesty. And honest grief sometimes includes laughter.

At Hardings, we see this all the time. A room full of people holding it together… until someone shares that story. The one that captures the person perfectly. The cheeky comment they were known for. The habit everyone recognises. And suddenly there’s laughter — sometimes unexpected, sometimes followed quickly by tears.

That doesn’t mean anyone is being disrespectful. It usually means the opposite. It means the person is still very present in the room.

Humour doesn’t take away from the ceremony. It doesn’t undo the reverence. It simply reminds us that the person who has died wasn’t just a name on a notice or a photograph on a screen. They were human. They were funny. They were frustrating, loving, complicated, and real.

Ceremony gives us a framework — a way to pause and acknowledge loss. Humour brings warmth into that space. It softens the edges. It lets people breathe. And sometimes, it’s the thing that makes the grief feel survivable in that moment.

We’re all imperfectly perfect in our own ways. Our lives are full of seriousness and silliness, good decisions and questionable ones, quiet moments and loud laughter. Why would a farewell be any different?

So if laughter shows up at a funeral — let it. It belongs there. Because love, memory, reverence, and humour can all fit in the same room. And often, they need to.

05/02/2026

This snoot belongs to so much love....

Gallery 1 of 2 to be delivered today featuring Henry, the professional morale booster and owner of the world’s best snoot.

30/01/2026

Join us for Coffee Club? Our next one's on February 6th at 10am, at Tika.

30/01/2026

Funeral service isn’t like most things in life. It’s not something you shop for on a good day — it’s something you need on one of the hardest days you’ll ever face. And on that day, what matters most isn’t who’s the loudest, the flashiest, or the newest name on the scene — it’s who you can trust.

At Hardings Funerals, we’ve been part of this community since 1913. That’s 113 years of quietly supporting families, walking alongside them through grief, and providing care that’s consistent, steady, and always personal. We’re not about big promises or flashy claims. We’re about showing up, knowing what matters, and doing it right.

Experience counts. Kelly has been with Hardings since 1993, Brittany joined in 2017, and Shani in 2022. Together, we bring decades of combined experience, and all of us are either fully qualified funeral directors or actively working towards our qualifications. This ensures that every family receives professional, knowledgeable care — the same consistent standard that has guided Hardings for over a century.

Choosing a funeral service isn’t about who’s new, loud, or “in your face.” It’s about choosing people who have been there before, and who will be there for you now. People who understand that each family, each life, each story deserves careful attention. People who will take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most.

After more than a century in service, one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to consistent, compassionate care. Hardings Funerals may have been around a long time, but what matters most is being there when it counts — quietly, steadily, and always with respect.

Because some things in life shouldn’t be rushed, and some things deserve people who’ve been there all along.

27/01/2026

Like many people, our team at Hardings has been watching what’s been unfolding at Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay with very heavy hearts.

First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families waiting for loved ones at the Mount, and with the families who have lost two people in Welcome Bay in the same severe weather. From our work as funeral directors, we know how cruel both the waiting and the suddenness of loss can be.

We also want to acknowledge the recovery and emergency teams. The pressure they’re under is immense, and what they’re dealing with is far outside anything that could be called “normal.” They have our deepest respect. We also acknowledge our fellow funeral directors in the area who will be preparing to support families through what comes next.

There will be a time for investigations and answers. But right now, when conditions are still difficult and not everything can even be seen yet, it feels like the focus should stay on people.

The political noise and finger-pointing doesn’t help. It only adds to the weight being carried by families, responders, and whole communities. We also feel for local businesses who are hurting, but gently and respectfully, right now has to be about the families.

And to the armchair experts — this is nature. It’s messy, complex, and unfolding in real time. The people on the ground are doing the very best they can with what they have and the conditions they’re facing.

There will be time for answers. For now, our thoughts are with the Mount and Welcome Bay communities.

22/01/2026

A farewell is personal. We're here to make it meaningful for you and your loved ones. Got an idea? Let's talk.

19/01/2026

Rachel sums it up well: a funeral day can be incredibly overwhelming. When you're just trying to get through it, you can lean on us.

15/01/2026

A gentle reminder during the New Year. Be kind to yourself during this time and walk at your own pace. We'll be here to support you in 2026, however you need it.

14/01/2026

With a rare quiet few days and no funerals, we’ve been busy digitising old files in the office — making more space, reducing fire hazards, and generally trying to be a bit more organised.

What we didn’t plan on was the trip down memory lane.

Turns out, these aren’t just files — they’re stories. And Kelly remembers all of them.

“Oh, that was the funeral in the wool shed…”
“And that family… what an incredible journey…”
“And this one — wow, I remember that day.”

It was a good reminder that while we might be tidying up cupboards, what we really look after is people — and their stories. And apparently, Kelly’s memory is better than our filing system. 😊