About
Academy

Our Facilities

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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 40 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.

Our people make the difference

Meet our friendly
Academy Services Team

“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

Adacademy Staff 2023 George
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.”

Adacademy Staff 2023 Murray
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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Dj
David Johnston
Funeral Directors Assistant

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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Tania
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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Dean
Dean Austin
Funeral Director

Claire Archer - Embalmer

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

Adacademy Staff 2023 Julie
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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Nigel
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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Kelvin
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.

Adacademy Staff 2023 Sharyn
Sharyn Schreuder
Funeral Director

Sharyn-Schreuder - Funeral Director

“I feel it is  a privilege to look after families at a time when they need personal support and guidance.

To help them make the decisions that will enable them to say good-bye to their loved one in their own personal way”.

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.

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:

  • Autism NZ
  • Bowls Hornby – New Zealand’s Home for National Champions
  • Bowls Papanui
  • Caring Families Aotearoa
  • Christchurch Canterbury Go Bananas Children’s Charity
  • Christchurch HSOB Assn
  • Diamond Harbour Bowling Club
  • Ellesmere Golf Club
  • Elmwood Park Bowling Club
  • Fendalton Bowling Club
  • Kids Foundation
  • Kirwee Bowling Club
  • Linwood Rugby – Junior Football Club
  • Lions – Christchurch South
  • Morrison Ave Bowling Club
  • Our Lady of Victory School
  • Riccarton Primary School Library
  • Riccarton Racecourse Bowling Club
  • Rotary Christchurch
  • Rotary Papanui
  • Russley Golf Club
  • Special Children’s Christmas Party
  • Tai Tapu Bowling Club
  • Tai Tapu Golf Club
  • Templeton Golf Club New Year Classic
  • The Court Theatre
  • West Melton Bowling Club