The case for the coffin

The history of the coffin probably goes back to Egyptian times. Now these people took death very seriously, because of the after-life.  Which wasn’t so good if you were a slave of someone who died, because you had to go …

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Low-cost and Respectful

What kind of funeral do you want?  This is my first question families when planning a funeral.  Because it is what they want more than what I think they should do. Sometimes they know and have it all sorted.  Other …

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15 Things – updated

15 things Funeral Homes don’t want you to know  1.  Don’t pay in advance for a funeral. Yes, you can pre-plan. But keep your money in a separate bank account. This way you are in complete control of it. You …

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Man Flu

The Trials of Man-Flu On Friday I succumbed to the dreaded man-flu.  I had a cough and felt dizzy and the only proper thing to do in these circumstances was to rest in bed, with treats and TV. Somehow I …

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Behind the scenes of SDF

What really happens behind the scenes at Simple Direct Funerals? A few weeks ago you may recall some comments from a competitor criticising me because as a one-man-band I couldn’t look after a person in my care very well.  It …

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5 Year Anniversary

Five years ago Simple Direct Funerals started as Purely Cremations.  To be fair I started then, but I didn’t have the first funeral for a few more months.  Which was fine by me because I was very nervous. I was …

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Burial or Cremation?

This is one of the last decisions you make or is made for you – cremation or burial.  Putting aside other options, which perhaps isn’t appropriate here. I appreciate it can seem bizarre doing pros and cons between burial or …

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Save hundreds if not thousands of dollars

Funerals can be expensive.  But there are ways to save money and still have a good funeral. I would first like to point out that there is nothing wrong if a family wants to have an expensive funeral.  An expensive …

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Shopping vs Shutting Shop

I remember the days when all shops closed on Sunday.  I think Saturday morning shopping was a new idea just happening.  Late night Thursday was at the Richmond Mall and Friday night in Nelson – usually to the movies (State …

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Trying to give me a bad name

The other day I heard from a person who was phoning round for funeral prices.  At one Funeral Home he asked about other homes – just to see what they would say. I was disappointed and to fair a little …

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