A Traditional, Meaningful Farewell
For many families in Ruakaka, Waipu, One Tree Point and across Northland, burial remains the way they wish to farewell a loved one. It offers a lasting resting place, somewhere family can return to, visit, and remember.
Whittakers Funerals supports families through every step of arranging a burial, with the same warmth and personal attention we bring to all our funeral services.
How We Support Your Family Through a Burial
Burial is included within our Family Care Package, from $4,950 + GST, alongside cremation as one of the two service options. This means the uplift, care and preparation, dressing, fully dressed casket, family viewings, documentation, and funeral arrangements are all covered in the one package, whichever option you choose.
What differs with burial is what happens on the day itself: the graveside service, the lowering of the casket, and the choice of cemetery and plot.
Choosing a Casket
Part of our burial services Ruakākā in preparing for a burial is choosing a casket that feels right for your loved one.
We offer a range of caskets, from simple and understated designs through to more traditional timber options, each with its own character.
You’re welcome to take your time with this decision. We’ll talk you through the options in our full Casket and Urn range so you can choose something that feels like a genuine reflection of the person you’re farewelling.
Working with Cemeteries
Every cemetery has its own requirements, booking processes, and fees, and these can understandably feel confusing at a time when you have a great deal else on your mind. We liaise with cemeteries on your family’s behalf to help organise plot bookings, timing, and the necessary paperwork.
Please note that cemetery fees must be paid before the day of service, and fees can vary depending on the cemetery chosen. We’ll always talk you through the costs involved for your particular choice of cemetery so there are no surprises.
Planning the Service Itself
A burial service can take many forms: a simple graveside gathering, a fuller service at a church, marae, or venue beforehand, or something that blends tradition with personal touches unique to your loved one.
Some families choose to include a viewing beforehand in our Ruakaka viewing room, giving whānau time together before the day of the funeral.
We work with celebrants, clergy, or kaumātua as needed, and help coordinate timing between any service venue and the cemetery.
Burial as Part of Your Family Care Package
Because burial sits within our Family Care Package, there’s no separate “burial fee” structure to navigate; it’s one transparent price from $4,950 + GST, covering the full journey from uplift through to the committal. Our burial services Ruakākā fees are transparent.
Additional costs, such as cemetery fees, doctor’s fees, or transport outside the Whangarei and Ruakaka areas, are always discussed with you directly and kept as clear as possible.
Every Family, Every Faith, Every Wish
Burial customs differ across cultures, faiths, and individual family wishes, and we welcome the chance to understand what matters most to yours. Whether that’s a traditional service, a tangi, or a smaller private gathering, everything can be tailor-made around your loved one and your whānau.
If you’re still deciding between burial and cremation, our Cremation Services page may help, or you’re welcome to simply talk with us.
Common questions answered
How much does a burial cost in Ruakaka?
Burial is included within Whittakers Funerals’ Family Care Package, priced from $4,950 + GST, which covers uplift, care and preparation, a fully dressed casket, viewings, documentation, and the funeral arrangements themselves. Separate cemetery fees also apply and vary depending on the cemetery chosen.
What is the difference between the burial and cremation packages?
Both burial and cremation are covered under the same Family Care Package from $4,950 + GST, with the main difference being what happens on the day itself: a graveside committal for burial, versus transfer to Maunu Crematorium for cremation. Cemetery fees for burial are separate from the package and vary by cemetery.
Do you help arrange the cemetery plot and paperwork?
Yes, we liaise with cemeteries on your family’s behalf to help organise plot bookings, timing, and the required paperwork. We’ll talk you through the fees and requirements specific to your chosen cemetery.
Can we choose any casket for a burial?
Yes, you can choose from our full range of caskets for a burial service, from simple designs through to more traditional timber options. We’re happy to talk through the range and help you choose something fitting.
Can a burial include a viewing beforehand?
Yes, many families choose to hold a viewing in our Ruakaka viewing room before the day of the funeral, giving whānau time together beforehand. This can be arranged as part of your Family Care Package.
When do cemetery fees need to be paid?
Cemetery fees must be paid before the day of the service. We’ll confirm the exact fees for your chosen cemetery early in the planning process so there are no surprises.
Whittakers Funerals
25 Kepa Road
Ruakākā
New Zealand
0800 000 929