“Our family caring for your family”
EXIT Funeral Services is the Dunedin family owned funeral home that have brought affordable funerals to Dunedin.
With funerals often having a high cost at a difficult time for families, Exit Funeral’s pricing ensures there are no surprises later.
‘‘We are the best value for money,’’ funeral director Gary Shaw says. ‘‘We have a fixed price for all our services. You know how much the base price is, and any extras we discuss so you know what your account will be, no hidden surprises.’’
Gary and his wife Diane are coowners of the funeral service company, having purchased it three years ago, and they are assisted by Gary’s daughter Rebecca.
All born and bred in Dunedin, between them they have a diverse range of experience to draw on.
Diane was employed by the Dunedin Public Hospital for over 30 years, including over 20 years as Charge Mortician in the hospital mortuary. Gary has a lengthy history in business in Dunedin, including launching Kitchens For Less, which he ran for almost 20 years. Rebecca has worked in administration for a number of local companies, including the Medical Records department at Dunedin Hospital.
They’re proud that Exit Funeral Services is 100% Dunedin owned and operated, with all team members being family, and that they endeavour to use local companies for materials and consumable supplies as much as possible.
Exit Funerals is also proud of the great services that they offer, helping families at difficult times, without creating debt.
‘‘We are guided by what the family would like, and how they would like to see their loved ones farewelled,’’ Diane says. ‘‘It’s about being flexible so families can truly have the send off the way they want to — so long as it’s legal, respectful and ethical, we’ll make it happen’’
The range of services on offer at Exit Funerals includes direct cremations, intimate farewells, full services, burials, eco burials, and ash interments. Full services can include the optional extra of live streaming and recording of the service.
Their caskets are hand made on their premises by another family member,
Brian. Brian builds each casket with a high level of workmanship and care.
Another difference with Exit Funeral Services is that they do not embalm. During her many years in the hospital mortuary, Diane learned about the benefits of preservation using cool room storage.
‘‘Even though we don’t embalm, we do prepare our family’s loved one for viewing, and make them look at peace,’’ she says.
Preparation of the deceased takes place in their new mortuary, which is registered with the health department and the council. They also have a purposebuilt viewing room where families can spend time with their loved one in private. The deceased is placed on a bed and not in a casket. This has been wellreceived and is less confronting, especially for young children. Preparation and viewing are at no extra cost as they believe cost should not prevent anyone from saying goodbye.
Cool storage gives more of a window for people to say goodbye while keeping them natural — and it works really well. And if you look at the testimonials on the Exit Funerals website, people say that they look natural — because they are. It also reduces the need for hazardous chemicals.
For those who require it, Exit Funerals does have a funeral home which will embalm for them if families request it.
Exit Funerals applied to be members of the FDANZ, however, as they don’t embalm on the premises, membership is not possible.
‘‘We don’t want to make embalming a part of our standard practice, and that’s the only reason we’re not part of the Funeral Directors Association,’’ Gary says.
Having been involved in the public sector for his entire working life, he says that his current role is the most rewarding career move he has made.
‘‘All a family wants is for somebody to help, and to sort the arrangements for them,’’ Gary says. ‘‘I get a lot of satisfaction out of that.’’
While focusing on Dunedin, Exit Funeral Services also covers the surrounding Otago and Southland area. They now offer prepaid options, and can make prearrangements either in their new premises or in your own home.
Exit Funerals is the family that are privileged to care for your family in your time of need.
Exit Funeral Services: Phone (03) 4701532. Email office@exitfunerals.co. nz, or see www.exitfunerals.co.nz for more information.
The family who brought affordable funerals to Dunedin