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About Academy

Academy Facilities 1

Our Chapel

Academy Facilities 2

Our Chapel

Academy Facilities 3

Our Chapel

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Catering Lounge

Academy Facilities 4

Meeting Area

Academy Facilities 5

Contemplative Space

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Entrance

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Entranceway

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Street front

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Our Gardens

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Our Roses

Our Facilities

Our chapel, reception lounge and catering facilities at Academy Funeral Services are modern and comfortable, while outside the award-winning landscaped gardens featuring fountains and ponds provide a beautiful and peaceful environment – the perfect setting for a funeral service.

Academy Funeral Services has been an integral part of the local Christchurch community for more than 30 years.

Originally located in the central city, the firm was established by Peter Lawrence and Geoffrey Hall in 1982. Three years later it moved to a new location on Main South Road, where it was set up in premises previously used as a church.

With his professional and caring approach Peter Lawrence established a rapport with people that has continued on through the qualified, experienced team at Academy Funeral Services, all of whom are gifted with the ‘people skills’ so important for their work.

Academy Funeral Services is part of InvoCare New Zealand Ltd, the largest provider of funeral services within New Zealand, with a comprehensive network of more than 20 funeral firms and associated businesses. Together we are able to share professional development and industry knowledge, and set higher standards in the funeral profession nationwide. To ensure we continue to set higher standards, phone calls are recorded for quality assurance and training purposes.

Meet our friendly

ACADEMY FUNERAL
SERVICES TEAM

our people make the difference

“We are a committed team of highly qualified, professional, friendly and caring people providing the personal touch and support that families require in their time of grief.”’

ROD LATHAM – LOCATION MANAGER

Our Funeral Directors

Team Half 2018 George Holtz
GEORGE HOLTZ
Assistant Manager

George Holtz - Assistant Manager

“We have a very loyal clientele, and much of our business is with the same families, and through referrals.”

George has been in the funeral industry since 1998, and with Academy Funeral Services since 2010. He is a qualified Funeral Director and Registered and Qualified Embalmer, with a Diploma in Funeral Services. George says, “It is a privilege to serve our client families in their time of grief.”

Team Half 2018 Murray Crozier
Murray Crozier
Funeral Director & Embalmer

Murray Crozier- Funeral Director & Embalmer

“I had always wanted to get into the funeral directing industry since high school, but knew I had to get some life experience under my belt first.”

Murray has been in the funeral industry since 2008 – all with Academy Funeral Services. Murray is a qualified Embalmer and Funeral Director. Previously he worked with Air New Zealand, he says he has always worked with people.

He says the team at Academy Funeral Services are great people to work with.

Academy Team Bruce
Bruce McErlich
Administration

Bruce McErlich - Administration

"Losing someone can be a very challenging time for many. I consider it a privilege to be able to assist the families in any way possible, professionally and compassionately."

Having previously worked in the Banking industry for the past 35 years, an opportunity was presented that allowed me to seek a new direction. When I saw the vacancy to join Academy Funeral Services, it felt very right to apply. To me it’s about people and how we treat them in their time of need.

Team Half Peter
Peter Lawrence
Consultant

Peter Lawrence - Consultant

"We believe in Supporting our local community."

Peter established Academy Funeral Services in 1982 after graduating from the School of Embalming in London in 1980 with honours. Peter enjoyed attending to the prize winning gardens at Academy Funeral Services, as well as his own home garden.

Team Half 2018 Tania Leighs
Tania Leighs
Funeral Director

Tania Leighs - Funeral Director

“I really enjoy doing my very best for families, and helping them at this time when they need personal support and guidance.”

Tania has been in the funeral industry since 2007, gaining her qualifications in Funeral Directing in 2011.

Academy Brent Ruru
Brent Ruru
Funeral Director

Brent Ruru - Funeral Director

“It is a privilege to serve whānau, helping them navigate through a process during a significant time of loss and grief.”

Brent says that providing an excellent wrap around service is paramount to relieving the stresses associated when administering funeral arrangements.  It has to be as seamless as best as it can be. 

Brent started at Academy Funeral Services during 2020, after transitioning into the role from being an industry experienced Funeral Celebrant.   Brent has a Diploma in Celebrant Studies.

Team Half 2018 Julie Smith
Julie Smith
Office Administrator

Julie Smith - Office Administrator

“The staff are wonderful to work with.”

Julie started working with Academy Funeral Services in 2013. She likes helping families and especially enjoys preparing the service sheets for the funeral service.

Team Half Wayne
Wayne Lyons
Consultant

Wayne Lyons - Consultant

“We are a professional, user-friendly team of qualified people totally committed to providing personal attention to families.”

A qualified Funeral Director and Embalmer, Wayne has been in the funeral industry for 42 years, with more than two decades of experience managing funeral homes. He has also served as President of the FDANZ. Having been with Academy Funeral Services since 2008, he says, “It’s our people that make the difference.”

Academy Kelvin Hurst 2021
Kelvin Hurst
Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kelvin Hurst- Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kelvin started his career at Academy in 2005. He is a qualified embalmer graduating in 2007, and a qualified Funeral Director graduating in 2014.

Academy Clare Archer 2021
Claire Archer
Embalmer

Claire Archer - Embalmer

Claire started her career at Academy in 2019 and began embalming in 2011.

Team Half 2018 Nigel Henderson
Nigel Henderson
Gardener

Nigel Henderson - Gardener

“The Academy staff make it easy to come to work, and I enjoy making the gardens special for the people who come in.”

Nigel has been responsible for planting and maintaining the award-winning gardens at Academy Funeral Services for the last 12 years, planting a new garden every season.

Academy Funeral Services are members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand.

Since it was founded in 1937, the FDANZ has promoted quality, expertise and integrity in the funeral profession, and has encouraged the training and education of funeral directors. Today the FDANZ represents approximately 85 per cent of funeral practices in New Zealand. As members of the FDANZ, we follow the Rules of the Association as well as a strict Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct. In keeping with its commitment to high standards of professionalism and ethics, the Association has introduced an independent disputes resolution process.

For information on the FDANZ click here or contact us on 03 343 0919.

We are Proud to Support our Community

At Academy Funeral Services we believe in supporting our community and have strong ties with the following organisations:

  • The Court Theatre
  • Riccarton Primary School Library
  • Linwood Rugby – Junior Football Club
  • Rotary Christchurch
  • Bowls Hornby – New Zealand’s Home for National Champions
  • Tai Tapu Bowling Club
  • Morrison Ave Bowling Club
  • Diamond Harbour Bowling Club
  • Our Lady of Victory School
  • Rotary Papanui
  • Christchurch Canterbury Go Bananas Children’s Charity
  • Lions – Christchurch South
  • Kids Foundation
  • Russley Golf Club
  • Special Children’s Christmas Party

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