Honouring Loved Ones with Personalised, Compassionate Farewells.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & OWNER

Hayden is one of the few fourth-generation funeral directors you’ll come across in New Zealand. The son of Trevor, grandson of Robert, and great-grandson of William Cotton of Feilding, Hayden proudly continues a family tradition in funeral service that began in the 1930’s. The current funeral home, Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors, was established in Palmerston North by his grandfather, Robert James Cotton, in 1967.

Hayden recalls being a kid when he first started helping out in the family business after school and during the holidays, serving tea in the catering lounge and assisting with casket preparation. With more than 30 years of experience, he is a fully qualified funeral director and embalmer, known for his professionalism, patience, and calm, steady presence.

Today, Hayden is the owner of Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors. When his parents, Trevor and Ruth, retired from the business, Hayden was joined by his wife Kylie. Together, they have worked to thoughtfully modernise the firm while remaining true to the values it was built on: care, respect, and trust.

Hayden is widely respected in the profession and by the families he supports. Nothing rattles him, and his ability to quietly guide people through one of life’s most difficult times is something many find deeply reassuring.

Outside of work, Hayden enjoys mountain biking, travelling, and spending time with Kylie and their two daughters, Madison and Georgia. Hayden is looking forward to making memories with his family with a trip to Japan booked for April 2026.

BUSINESS MANAGER & OWNER

Kylie grew up on the then-outskirts of Hamilton, in the rural community of Rukuhia. She brings a strong work ethic and a customer-first mindset to her role as Business Manager at Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors. Each day begins with one question: What can I improve to better support our team and the families we care for?

Describing herself as the engine under the hood, Kylie works across every part of the business—from operations and finance to the behind-the-scenes details like cleaning and sourcing supplies—doing whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly. Before joining the family firm in 2020, she worked in the marketing department at Toyota New Zealand’s head office. She holds qualifications in Japanese, Travel and Tourism, and Accounting, and is currently completing a marketing degree part-time.

Her passion for continuous improvement, smart systems, and a thoughtful customer experience is woven through everything she does.

She also brings a creative eye to the business—whether capturing funeral photography, developing meaningful content, or producing keepsake calendars featuring Lola the Funeral Therapy Dog. For Kylie, every touchpoint is an opportunity to enhance the experience for families.

Outside of work, Kylie enjoys motorsport as a rally co-driver and recently ticked off a bucket list event with the Rally of Otago. She also enjoys fashion, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters, Madison & Georgia.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Ross joined Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors in 2017 and has over 30 years of experience as a fully qualified funeral director and embalmer. His deep knowledge, quiet steadiness, and attention to detail have made him a trusted figure both within our team and among the many families he has cared for over the years.

What we value most about Ross is the harmony and patience he brings to those around him. He has a calm and reassuring presence, a cheeky sense of humour when the moment calls for it, and a strong professional diligence that ensures every detail is handled with care.

In April of this year, Ross stepped back into semi-retirement and now works one day a week, continuing to support our team and the families who have come to know and trust him.

Ross and his wife Raewyn live on a lifestyle property, where he enjoys gardening, spending time with family, and planning their next travel adventure. He is also a proud and active member of the Cross Roads church community.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Since joining Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors in January 2023, Nate has been described by families as compassionate, attentive, and reassuring.

His ability to make funeral arrangements feel seamless and stress-free has left a lasting impression. “Nate made the arrangements seem seamless.. his empathy, continuous reassurance, and can-do attitude made the funeral run so smoothly, way beyond our expectations.”

Families also commend his clear communication and professionalism throughout the process: “Nathan kept us informed and comfortable at each step.”

Nate is a delight to work with, both within our team and with the families we care for. He takes the time to build genuine, respectful relationships and is known for his thoughtful listening and calm reassurance. Families quickly feel they are in capable, caring hands. His professionalism is matched by a sincere warmth that helps people feel seen and supported at every stage of the funeral journey.

Nate and his wife Hannah live at Himatangi Beach with their daughter Atalia and baby son Reuben. Outside of work, he is actively involved in his church community and brings that same sense of care and connection to the families he serves.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Brent grew up in Rangiwahia and brings a genuine, grounded approach to funeral service. His path into the profession began in September 2017, when he was piping at a funeral for Cottons.

After a good conversation with one of the firm’s long-serving funeral directors, Ross, something clicked—Brent realised this was a profession where he could truly make a difference. Soon after, he reached out to Trevor Cotton, who owned Robert J. Cotton & Sons at the time.

That conversation led to some hands-on work experience, and eventually, to a career where Brent has found his purpose: helping families through one of the hardest moments of their lives with care, calm, and practical support. Brent takes pride in building rapport with families and treating them as if they were his own.

He’s known for his steady presence, thoughtful guidance, and strong values—always committed to doing what’s right. His warmth and sense of humour make him an asset to our team and a comfort to the families he serves.

Earlier this year, Brent married the love of his life, Nadia. Together, they’re raising two precious cherubs, Olive and Hattie. Outside of work, Brent is a keen bagpiper and a proud member of the local Scottish Society—and never far from a good cup of coffee.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Lou is new to the funeral profession, but she’s long felt a strong calling to the work. Even as a child, she was drawn to caring for others during life’s most tender moments.

What Lou finds most meaningful in her role is supporting families through their loved one’s final journey—listening to stories, honouring memories, and making sure each person is treated with the utmost dignity and care.

With qualifications in makeup artistry and veterinary nursing, Lou brings a unique blend of empathy, precision, and respect to her work. Whether caring for people or animals, her approach is always grounded in compassion.

Outside of the funeral home, Lou is an artist, crafter, and seamstress. She’s a proud member of the Eastman Rover Scout Crew and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

And while many assume she’s American, she’s actually French—just with an accent that keeps people guessing!

Lou's favourite quote? “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” - Marilyn Monroe.

Lola is our beloved Funeral Therapy Dog - a 2018 Miniature Schnauzer with a gentle nature, keen intuition, and a remarkable ability to bring calm and comfort wherever she goes.

Originally intended to offer quiet companionship in the office, Lola had other ideas. In 2020, she began making her way downstairs to sit with families during funeral arrangements, choosing the people she sensed needed her most.

When families started requesting her presence at funerals, her mum Kylie knew it was time to make things official (and find the perfect outfit).

These days, Lola is a local favourite. She rides in her Lexus, stars in her own TikTok videos, and even has her own calendar. She’s become so well known that other funeral homes have started introducing therapy dogs too - a shift we’re proud to have helped lead.

Lola helps families feel more at ease during difficult moments, especially children and those feeling overwhelmed.

Whether she’s greeting guests in the atrium before funerals start or offering a gentle nudge, her presence provides reassurance in a way only a dog can.

At home, Lola lets the cats—Ruby and Hugo—rule the roost. She loves going for walks and is a proud member of the Ashhurst/Palmerston North Schnauzer Walking Group.