Funeral costs & pricing guide
Helping your family plan with confidence.
We understand that planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, particularly when it is unexpected. Our aim is to make the process clear, supportive, and easy to navigate.
If cost is a concern, please get in touch. We are happy to talk through your options and provide clear pricing information so you can make informed decisions with confidence. We also offer funeral prepayment options for those who wish to plan ahead.
Our focus is on providing experienced, professional care and guidance, tailored to your family’s needs.
How much does a funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral can vary, depending on the choices you make, much like building a house or buying a car. Some funerals are simple, while others include additional elements such as flowers, service sheets, catering, or larger services. Council fees for burial or cremation also vary by region.
At Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors, we aim to be clear and transparent about pricing so families feel informed and supported when making decisions. We believe you should understand what to expect, with straightforward information and no unexpected costs. We know grief is difficult, and financial uncertainty should not add to that burden.
We also take care to respect your budget. If costs begin to move beyond what was discussed, we will talk this through with you and offer thoughtful options to help bring things back into line, without compromising what matters most to you or your family.
If you choose not to proceed with our services after early professional services have been provided, such as transfer into our care, after-hours attendance, embalming, or other services carried out at your request, an invoice will be issued for costs incurred up to that point.
funeral price guide
We have created a clear and easy-to-understand price guide, which includes options for:
Cremation or burial without a funeral service
Full funeral services for 50 or 100 guests
If cost is a factor, please talk with us. We are here to help you find a solution that is respectful, appropriate, and manageable.
Palmerston North City Council - Burial and Cremation fees
When a burial or cremation takes place at a cemetery, the associated cemetery costs are set by the local city council.
Our price guide outlines the standard costs for single burial plots, cremations, and interment fees at Kelvin Grove Cemetery in Palmerston North. For additional options, such as double-depth burial plots or interment of ashes in a niche wall or memorial garden, please refer to the Palmerston North City Council fee schedule below.
If a family wishes to arrange burial or cremation at another cemetery, we can arrange this also. However, the applicable cemetery fees will be set by the relevant council and may differ from those at Kelvin Grove Cemetery. For example, burial plot costs in the Wellington or Auckland regions can be higher.
