Meet the faces behind our
 welcoming funeral home

He roopu whakapumau matou o nga tangata tino tohu, ngaio, hoa aroha me te manaaki tangata e whakarato ana i te pa whaiaro me te tautoko e hiahiatia ana e nga whanau i te wa e pouri ana.

Bio ki te haere mai.

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

Mai i te tau 2007 a Tania e noho ana i roto i te umanga tangihanga, i riro i a ia ona tohu mo te Whakahaere Tangata i te tau rua mano tekau ma tahi.

Kei te honore ahau ki te awhina i te arahi i nga taangata i roto i tetahi o nga wa tino wero i roto i o raatau oranga.

I timata a Kelvin i tana haerenga me te Academy Funeral Services i te tau 2005. I noho ia hei Kaipara Kaipara i te tau 2007, a, no muri mai ka oti tana tohu Whakahaere Tangata i te tau 2014. Ma te kaha me te whakaaro nui, ka kawea mai e Kelvin nga tau o te wheako me te manaakitanga ki ia whanau e tautoko ana ia.

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.

He waimarie ki te tiaki i nga whanau i te wa e hiahia ana ratou ki te tautoko me te arahi. Hei awhina i a ratou ki te whakatau i nga whakatau e taea ai e ratou te poroporoaki ki te tangata e arohaina ana i runga i o raatau ake huarahi.

Being a Funeral Director is a truly meaningful role, and it’s an honour to support families during such a difficult time. Helping celebrate lives and offer comfort is both a privilege and responsibility I take to heart.

Claire is a qualified embalmer who began her career in 2011. Claire has built a reputation for her attention to detail and technical expertise. She became part of the Academy team in 2019, where her experience and steady presence have been a valued asset. Claire is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care, honouring each individual with dignity and respect, supporting families with quiet strength behind the scenes.

Dean is an experienced Embalmer and Funeral Director, having worked in the funeral profession for 30+ years. Dean is known for his meticulous work and genuine care. He joined Academy in 2022, bringing with him a deep understanding of the technical and emotional aspects of his role. Dean takes pride in helping families through his quiet dedication to respectful preparation and presentation, ensuring every person it treated with the utmost dignity.

To me, I feel very blessed just to be involved in a small way working in such a privileged role.

From a background in retail, faith guided an openness to the possibility of entering the funeral industry. David took that leap of faith in 2017 joining the funeral industry, followed by a small break and then re-entered in 2023 settling into his role as Funeral Assistant at Academy Funerals.

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 spent the last 8 years working at Academy, I have found deep fulfilment in helping families navigate one of life’s most tender moments. Joining the team I felt intuitively right – it’s always been about the people, and how we care for them with empathy and respect during their time of need.

In my role, I take great pride in designing bespoke service sheets that thoughtfully reflect each individual’s life story, personality and passions. Whether it’s incorporating a loved one’s favourite poem, a symbolic motif, or subtle design elements that speak to who they were. I ensure each tribute is visually meaningful and emotionally resonant.

This work combines my attention to detail, understanding of family needs, and a quiet commitment to dignity and authenticity. It’s not just creating a keepsake – it’s about honouring a life well lived.

He rawe nga kaimahi ki te mahi tahi.

I timata a Julie ki te mahi me te Academy Funeral Services i te tau 2013. He pai ki a ia te awhina i nga whanau, ina koa he pai ki a ia te whakarite i nga pepa karakia mo te tangihanga.