FUNERAL CELEBRANTS
Guidance, Support, and Personalization in Every Ceremony
At Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors, we're dedicated to providing personalized and respectful funeral services, tailored to reflect the unique life of your loved one. Our experienced funeral celebrants in Palmerston North are adept at creating ceremonies that honour diverse beliefs and traditions, ensuring a meaningful and dignified farewell. We collaborate closely with families, incorporating significant elements to craft a memorable experience that offers comfort and solace during this delicate time. Reach out to discover how we can support you in honoring your loved one’s journey with grace and dignity.
Todd O'Donnell - When you're facing the loss of someone close, it helps to have someone steady and compassionate guiding you through the process. Todd O’Donnell is a warm, approachable celebrant with a background in ministry and many years of experience supporting families through times of loss. Todd was raised by parents who dedicated their lives to helping others—his father worked for IHC supporting people with intellectual disabilities, and his mother was a nurse. That upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of empathy and care for others. In the early 1990s, he studied ministry to deepen that calling and has since officiated at many funerals, helping families honour their loved ones with dignity and meaning. A devoted husband of nearly 30 years and a proud father of three adult children, Todd brings a calm, grounded presence and relates easily to people from all walks of life. He understands how important it is to get the details right—and to create space for reflection, memory, and comfort. Running his own business gives Todd the flexibility to be there when families need him most. He works alongside the team at Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors and is here to help you plan a farewell that feels right for your family.
Llew King - With over 40 years of experience and more than 2,000 funerals conducted across New Zealand, Llew King brings depth, warmth, and care to every service he leads. Families often find comfort in his calm presence and thoughtful, genuine approach. Whether your family prefers something traditional, light-hearted, spiritual, or completely unique, Llew will work with you to create a farewell that reflects your loved one’s personality and your family’s wishes. From quiet, reflective ceremonies to relaxed gatherings with music, humour, and storytelling—Llew is known for tailoring each service to what feels right. If music is part of your family’s story, Llew is just as happy to bring along his guitar and lead a song or two, if that’s what would bring comfort and connection on the day. Every service he leads is heartfelt and one of a kind. Your loved one deserves nothing less.
Caroline Powley - Being a funeral celebrant is more than a role - it’s a privilege. Caroline Powley brings calm, compassion, and genuine care to every family she works with. She focuses not just on what is said during a service, but on how people feel—supported, comforted, and understood. Caroline creates personalised ceremonies that reflect the life, values, and personality of the person who has passed, while also supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of those left behind. Whether your family is religious, non-religious, or somewhere in between, she approaches each farewell with warmth, respect, and deep sensitivity. A proud member of the Manawatū community, Caroline runs the Trevor Smith Renal Fund to support local dialysis patients and has helped raise significant funds for Arohanui Hospice through Hospice Balls and community events. Having donated a kidney herself, Caroline has a heartfelt understanding of life’s fragility—and its value. Caroline and her husband are parents to three grown children and a cherished grandchild. Her ability to gently guide families through a time of grief, while creating a farewell that feels right, makes her a trusted and reassuring presence when it matters most.
Christina Brenton - When you're planning a funeral for someone you love, you want to feel supported by someone who understands what you're going through. Christina Brenton is an experienced local celebrant who brings warmth, empathy, and a calm presence to families navigating loss. With nearly eight years' experience managing a retirement village in Palmerston North, Christina has walked alongside many families during times of grief. She understands the unique needs of older people and their families, and how important it is to create a farewell that feels right. Now based in Foxton Beach—and after more than 30 years in Palmerston North—Christina is proud to be part of the Foxton community. She works alongside the team at Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors to help families create personal, meaningful services that truly honour the life being remembered.
Narita Dixon – A funeral is a time for family and friends to come together—sharing stories, shedding tears, even smiling at cherished memories. Narita Dixon believes every farewell should reflect the life lived and provide a space for genuine connection and healing. Grief is different for everyone, and Narita’s calm intuition, discretion, and steady support help make the planning process feel less overwhelming. Whether you’re after something modern or traditional, formal or relaxed, Narita will work closely with you to shape a service that feels just right for your family. She can help write the service, prepare the order of service sheet, and guide you through the decisions—big and small. On the day, she’ll be there to ensure everything flows smoothly, holding space for a meaningful, respectful farewell that honours your loved one’s life and story. Narita’s goal is simple: to support you through this time and help you create a service that truly reflects your loved one—in the way you want it to be.
Necia Parker – A Palmerston North local, Registered Legal Executive, and caring professional, Necia has been a celebrant since 2017. She understands that when someone passes—whether suddenly or after a long journey—the emotions can be overwhelming, and the decisions ahead often feel daunting. With calm, warmth, and quiet confidence, she helps families navigate the funeral planning process with compassion. Every family is different—what brings comfort to one may feel quite different to another—so she takes the time to listen and ensure each voice is heard. Her goal is always to create a farewell that feels right and honours the life that’s been lived. Whether you’re planning something traditional or more personal and informal, you’ll find her a steady and thoughtful guide—helping to ease the burden and make the process feel just a little more manageable. Married to Barry and a proud mum of two adult children, Necia brings both life experience and heartfelt professionalism to every service she leads.
Anne Chrisp – When someone you love dies, it can stir up big questions—about life, meaning, and how we honour the person who’s gone. My role as a funeral celebrant is to help you create a service that reflects your loved one’s life and story, while offering space for reflection, comfort, and connection. I bring a gentle, grounded presence, shaped by my background as an Anglican priest and spiritual director. I spent over a decade as Vicar at St Peter’s in Palmerston North, and now draw on a broad understanding of spirituality—both religious and non-religious—in the way I support families. Whether you're seeking a traditional service or something quieter and more reflective, I will work with you to shape a farewell that feels real, respectful, and meaningful for your family.
Theresa Downes - When someone you love passes away, it’s a deeply emotional time—and planning a funeral can feel overwhelming. My role as a celebrant is to gently guide and support you through that process, creating a service that truly honours your loved one’s life and story. I’m calm, approachable, and focused on the details that matter. I’ll take the time to listen and understand what’s important to your family—whether that’s a relaxed gathering, a traditional service, or something completely personal. I offer obligation-free meetings and am happy to come to you, meet at my home, or somewhere that feels comfortable. Together, we’ll create a farewell that feels right—thoughtful, respectful, and deeply personal.