When someone you love passes away, you may automatically picture their funeral taking place in a chapel.
Rows of chairs.
Flowers.
A lectern.
Family and friends gathered together.
For many people, that setting feels absolutely right.
But now think about the person whose farewell you are arranging.
Where did they feel most at home?
Perhaps their church was an important part of their life.
Maybe they loved being near the water.
Perhaps the local club was practically their second home.
Maybe their own home was the place where everybody gathered for birthdays, Christmas and Sunday lunch.
Suddenly the question changes.
Instead of asking:
“Where are funerals usually held?”
you can ask:
“Where would feel most like them?”
Does a Funeral Have to Be Held in a Funeral Chapel?
No.
A funeral can potentially take place in many different locations, depending on suitability, permissions and practical requirements.
Dils has conducted funerals in funeral chapels, churches, cemetery and crematorium chapels, community halls, stadiums and family homes.
Sometimes a chapel is exactly what the family wants.
Sometimes another place already carries part of the person’s story.
When a Chapel Feels Right
There can be great comfort in knowing everything needed for the funeral is available in one place.
Dils’ North Harbour Chapel in Albany provides a dedicated funeral setting with audiovisual facilities, livestreaming capability and a reception lounge where family and friends can remain together afterwards.
The chapel normally accommodates approximately 140 people and can be expanded for larger gatherings.
For families expecting many guests, having these facilities already available can remove several practical worries.
“We Don’t Want Anything Big”
Then you do not have to have anything big.
Some people were happiest surrounded by a small circle of family and friends.
Dils’ Birkenhead Chapel accommodates approximately 40 people or fewer and is particularly suited to intimate farewells.
A smaller funeral might include favourite music, photographs, several stories and the people who mattered most.
The size of a funeral has nothing to do with the size of someone’s life or the love people have for them.
Could We Choose Somewhere That Meant Something to Them?
Possibly.
If you have somewhere in mind, tell your funeral director.
It may be a church.
A community venue.
A family home.
A club.
Or somewhere else connected with the person’s life.
There will be practical matters to consider, including seating, access, parking, weather, audiovisual requirements and whether the venue permits the type of service being planned.
You do not have to work those details out alone.
Bring the idea.
Your funeral director can help determine what is possible.
Think About the People Who Need to Be There
The venue should reflect your loved one, but it also needs to allow the people who loved them to participate comfortably.
Think about your guests.
Will elderly relatives attend?
Does somebody use a wheelchair?
Will family travel from elsewhere in New Zealand?
Do relatives overseas need to join by livestream?
Would you like to show photographs or a video tribute?
Will there be live music?
Would you like everyone to remain for refreshments afterwards?
These practical considerations are part of caring for the people who are gathering to say goodbye.
What if Someone Cannot Attend?
Auckland families are often spread across New Zealand and overseas.
Dils can arrange livestreaming and recording to help people who cannot physically attend remain connected to the farewell.
If livestreaming will be important, mention it early so it can form part of the venue and service planning.
The Time After the Service Matters Too
Sometimes the formal funeral ends and another important part of the day begins.
People stay.
Stories are shared.
Old friends reconnect.
Someone remembers something the family has never heard before.
There may be tears, but there can also be warmth and laughter as people remember the person they came to farewell.
Dils’ North Harbour Chapel includes an adjoining reception lounge where family and friends can gather after the service.
That time together can become an important part of remembering someone too.
Funeral Venues Across Auckland’s North Shore
With facilities in Albany, Birkenhead and Stanmore Bay, Dils can help families across Auckland’s North Shore and Hibiscus Coast find a setting that suits the farewell they want to create.
The venue is ultimately the setting.
The heart of the funeral is the person whose life is being remembered.
Their music.
Their photographs.
Their stories.
Their family and friends.
Choose somewhere that gives those memories room to belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a funeral have to be held in a chapel?
No. Depending on suitability and permissions, funerals can take place in many different locations.
Can Dils arrange funerals outside its own chapels?
Yes. Dils has conducted services in churches, cemetery and crematorium chapels, halls, stadiums and family homes.
Where is the North Harbour Chapel?
The North Harbour Chapel is located in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore.
How many people can North Harbour Chapel accommodate?
It normally seats approximately 140 people and can be expanded for larger services.
Is there somewhere suitable for a smaller funeral?
Yes. Birkenhead Chapel is suited to more intimate gatherings of approximately 40 people or fewer.
Can relatives overseas watch the funeral?
Livestreaming can be arranged where appropriate.
Can we gather for refreshments afterwards?
Yes. North Harbour Chapel has an adjoining reception lounge.
Can Dils help us choose a funeral venue?
Yes. Your funeral director can help you consider guest numbers, accessibility, audiovisual requirements and the kind of farewell you hope to create.
