Caring, Complete Funeral Services Ruakākā Bream Bay and Northland for Your Family
When someone you love passes away, you shouldn’t have to navigate the details alone. Whittakers Funerals provides complete funeral services for families across Ruakaka, Waipu, One Tree Point, Bream Bay and wider Northland.
We are a family-owned funeral home, run personally by Eldon and Leslee Whittaker. When you call us, you speak with us directly, not a call centre. We can meet you at our funeral home on Kepa Road, or come to you.
Our aim is simple. We want to lift the practical weight off your shoulders so you can focus on your whānau, and on honouring the person you’ve lost.
The Family Care Package: What’s Included
Most families choose our Family Care Package, available for either burial or cremation, from $4,950 + GST.
It’s a complete, all-in-one service designed to cover everything from the moment your loved one is brought into our care through to the day of the funeral.
Uplift of your loved one, at any hour
Care and preparation of your loved one
Dressing, or assisting your family with dressing
A fully dressed casket
Family viewings
All documentation and administration
Organising the doctor’s viewing and paperwork
Registration of death
Organising funeral arrangements and services as needed
Transfer of your loved one into your family’s care, if required
What Each Part of Our Package Means for You
It helps to know what these things actually look like in practice, especially if this is your first time arranging a funeral.
Uplift means we come to collect your loved one, whether that’s from home, a hospital, rest home, or elsewhere in Northland, and bring them gently into our care at our Ruakaka mortuary.
Care and preparation is the quiet, respectful work we do behind the scenes so your loved one is ready to be seen by family, with dignity.
Dressing means we will dress your loved one in the clothing your family chooses, or we can gently guide you through this if you’d like to be involved yourself.
A fully dressed casket means the casket is prepared and presented ready for viewing, with no extra steps or surprise costs for basic presentation.
Family viewings take place in our own viewing room in Ruakaka, a private, comfortable space for you and your whānau to spend time together.
Documentation and administration covers the practical paperwork most families have never had to deal with before; we manage it so you don’t have to chase forms during an already difficult time.
Organising the doctor’s viewing and paperwork means we liaise directly with the doctor required to confirm cause of death, so this step happens smoothly in the background.
Registration of death is the legal registration required in New Zealand; we handle this with the relevant authorities on your behalf.
Organising funeral arrangements and services as needed means we help plan the service itself: venue, timing, celebrant or clergy, and the elements that make the day feel right for your loved one.
Transparent Pricing You Can Rely On
We believe grieving families deserve clarity, not confusion. Our pricing is discussed openly with you from the very first conversation for all our Funeral Services Ruakākā Bream Bay Waipu Whangārei Northland.
In some circumstances, additional costs may apply, such as doctor’s or medical referee’s fees, the death certificate fee, cremation fees if using a crematorium other than Maunu, cemetery fees at other cemeteries, transport outside the Whangarei and Ruakaka areas, or other external services your family requests. We always talk these through with you directly, so there are no surprises.
Due to rising supplier costs, a small additional charge may apply. We will always discuss this with you openly before proceeding, so you are never caught off guard.
Please note that all cemetery and cremation fees must be paid before the day of service.
Every Funeral Tailor-Made
No two families, and no two lives, are the same. While the Family Care Package covers the essentials, everything can be tailor-made to suit your circumstances, your loved one’s wishes, and your budget.
Whether you’re planning a small, simple gathering or a larger service with a wake, live-streaming, or specific cultural or religious customs, we sit down with you and shape the arrangements around what matters most to your family.
Choosing Burial or Cremation
The Family Care Package applies whether you choose burial or cremation for your loved one. If you’re still deciding between the two, we’re happy to talk you through what each involves.
You can read more about our Cremation Services and Burial Services, or browse our full range of Caskets and Urns to find something that feels right.
How to get started
There is no need to have everything figured out before you contact us. We are here to help, one step at a time, whether you need to start arrangements immediately or simply have questions.
If you haven’t yet been able to plan ahead, our guide on What To Do When Someone passes away can help with those first, practical steps.
We provide caring Funeral Services Ruakāka Bream Bay Waipu Whangārei and Northland.
Common questions answered
Funeral Services Ruakākā, Bream Bay, Waipu, Whangārei, wider Northland
How much does a funeral cost in Ruakaka?
Whittakers Funerals’ Family Care Package costs from $4,950 + GST and covers a complete funeral service. Additional costs may apply for things like doctor’s fees, cemetery fees, or transport outside the Ruakaka and Whangarei areas, and these are always discussed with your family upfront.
What is included in the Family Care Package?
The Family Care Package includes uplift of your loved one, care and preparation, dressing, a fully dressed casket, family viewings, all documentation and administration, doctor’s paperwork, registration of death, and organising the funeral service itself.
Can the Family Care Package be customised?
Yes, every funeral at Whittakers Funerals can be tailor-made to suit your family’s wishes and circumstances. We work with you to adjust the service, casket choice, and arrangements to reflect your loved one’s life.
Do you offer both burial and cremation services?
Yes, Whittakers Funerals offers both burial and cremation options, and the Family Care Package applies to either choice. We can talk you through the differences to help you decide what’s right for your family.
Are there any extra costs beyond the package price?
In some circumstances, yes — costs such as doctor’s and medical referee’s fees, the death certificate, cremation or cemetery fees at facilities other than our usual arrangements, or transport outside
Whangarei and Ruakaka may apply. We always discuss any additional costs with you directly so pricing stays transparent.
Do I need to visit the funeral home in person to make arrangements?
No, you don’t need to travel to us — Eldon and Leslee can meet you at our Ruakaka funeral home or come to your home, whichever feels more comfortable for your family.
Whittakers Funerals
25 Kepa Road
Ruakākā
New Zealand
0800 000 929