| 39 T T Russell Fredric Funeral home recognised at awards Being able to help people at a time of their greatest need is an honour and a privilege for funeral home owners, husband and wife team Nigel and Christine Edwards. Southland Business Excellence Awards: Avenal Park Funeral Home REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For Avenal Park Funeral Home, being able to help people at a time of their greatest need is both an honour and a privilege. Led by husband and wife team Nigel and Christine Edwards, Avenal Park is locally owned and operated, and has a diverse and experienced team who share a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. Avenal Park was something of a trendsetter in Southland when it was established by Ross and Lynley Ryan three decades ago by providing a complete service, including the option of a less formal, non-traditional celebration of someone’s life outside of a church setting as well as providing catering in one venue. “The legacy that Ross left behind is a strong work ethic and a community-based business that’s here for making connections with families,” Nigel says. He sees funeral directing as a calling as much as a profession, having come from a family legacy of funeral directing on his mother’s side. He and Christine purchased the business in 2016, and saw this as an “amazing” opportunity, and they and their team take great care and pride in the work they do. “Work is very demanding at times but very enjoyable. Helping families during their worst time, this gives me the most satisfaction. “The staff at Avenal Park Funeral Home work well together and we work as a team. We treat everyone who we look after with honour and respect, and we care for families as we would like to be treated and looked after.” A key aspect of funeral directing is facilitating how a family wants to say goodbye and how they remember their loved one in their own special way, as well as taking care of the practical and legal aspects of a death. Being able to personalise a service through the choice of casket, service cards, photo slideshow and decorating of the chapel assists in reflecting the life of the person who has died. The option of video livestreaming, which enables people anywhere in the world to watch a service, has become an important part of funerals today. Nigel has seen a trend of more private funerals and smaller funerals. However, having a funeral is an acknowledgment of the person who has died, and it is an important part of the grief journey. Nigel believes that although the funeral is about the deceased, it is as much for the living. He encourages people to pre-arrange and pre-pay towards their funeral. “It is important to talk to your family about your wishes.” Avenal Park Funeral Home is part of The Funeral Trust and can assist with WINZ and ACC funeral grants. Avenal Park Funeral Home also provides an on-site monumental masonry service. “Having the opportunity to provide an everlasting memorial is an important part of the healing process, and this completes what we can do to assist families.” Nigel and Christine were delighted for Avenal Park to be a finalist in the Southland Business Excellence Awards in two categories; ACC Workplace Safety Award and Invercargill City Council Small Business of the Year. CROWN COLLECTIONS Specialists in Debt Collec�on & Private inves�ga�ons Throughout New Zealand & Australasia www.crowncollec�ons.nz 0800 463 578 Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST?
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