To Jo, Tracy and everyone that worked behind the scenes, thank you for your incredible support over the last 2 weeks, every step of the way we felt organised, supported and loved.  We could not have asked for a more beautiful celebration of dad/malc/poppa we will be forever grateful.

Katie, Whangarei, September 2024

 

The service and support provided by the ladies at A Graceful Undertaking can simply be described as a warm hug in a time of need.  After our very first meeting with Jo as a family, we felt a sense of calm knowing that these women would be caring for our Mum.  The empathy, support, transparency and willingness to let us do the service exactly how we wanted was incredible.  There were no questions left unanswered and not once did we feel like "just another client".  Even the partnering services they worked alongside to help bring everything together for Mum's final send-off were exceptional.  They dressed our Mum exactly how we requested, and were continually gentle and respectful with both Mum and ourselves.  Tracey accompanied our Mum to her service, and she was never too far away when I needed her, gracefully following our lead at all times.  I never knew just how important choosing an Undertaker for the care of our Mum would be until I realised that I wouldn't have wanted it to be anyone else.  Thank you ladies for everything. 

E mihi ana, Taryn, September 2024

 

From my very first phone call to Jo, to inquire about arrangements for my Dads passing, I knew everything would be alright.  In the early morning of August 3rd 2024, my beautiful Dad quietly passed away.  Having to plan a funeral while grieving for a loved one is a most difficult task.  The service, compassion, and attention to detail truly honored my Dad.  You are all amazing women who really know how to treat people at the time of their mourning.  You gave us many options and suggestions which were very helpful making the whole process run smoothly which took a lot of stress off our family.

The service led by Tracey was absolutely perfect.  The IT work was spot on and the food was lovely.

There have been so many wonderful and positive comments made about the exceptional job you all did.

Some people have even called it the "best funeral they have been too" If there is such a thing.  We cannot thank you all enough for taking us from a total bewildered state to one of peace and comfort.

I will be forever grateful.  Thank you so much.

Barry, Whangarei August 2024

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Thank you so much for your warmth and compassion while helping us through the formal process of dealing with our loss.  A confronting and bewildering time but made so much easier with your calmness and kindness.

Rani, Greg and family , Whangarei August 2024

 

On behalf of my family, I would like to say how grateful we are to the Graceful Undertakings Ladies. They took such very delicate care of our sister plus provided help and guidance through such a sad time  

Suzie, Whangarei, June 2024 

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Thank you Jo, I will always remember the lovely and compassionate way you conducted John's farewell,  He will be so missed by all of us.

Laurel, Whangarei, May 2024

 

Just want to say a huge thank you to you and the team for the respectful and loving way you looked after our mum… It was very special…

Lance, Whangarei, May 2024

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Just a quick note to thank you both for amazing experience that you facilitated for & with us on the passing of Nancy. I was so moved by the authenticity in all present, that the setting, environment and your good selves, allowed, encouraged and supported. Without a doubt, it was the most beautiful 'funeral' I have ever attended. It is one I will gladly never forget.

Suzanne, Kerikeri, April 2024

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Heartfelt thanks for your gentle guidance and encouragement.  The service you offer is such a refreshing and inspirational look at how we can farewell our loved ones as we choose to.  Being so busy with the preparation also helped us a lot to get through that week.  Everything was perfect for Mum.

Lexine, Whangarei, April 2023

 

Heartfelt thanks for the care, attention and service that you have given to our family.  Collectively you have made this so much easier and more positive than we were envisioning.  Highest praise.

Amy, Tutukaka, March 2023

 

No words can I offer that has made Dad's journey more accepting.  Your shared aroha, awhi and strength has supported us all.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. 

My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.

Natalie, Paparoa, Jan 2023

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 I want to write this testimonial for ‘A Graceful Undertaking’ and the two amazing women – Jo and Jo - who run this very special service but don’t really know where to start. I still get emotional when I think of how grateful we are that we had a personal referral to them – right person, right place, right time.

What I can say is with their empathetic, perfectly paced support, they managed to quickly assimilate who  Dad was, who we are and what was important to us. Then side by side we organised a very special and individual funeral for our father at his home that left us feeling proud and sure that we could not have done better by him or ourselves.

The two Jos wove their experience into our vision gently and professionally all the while ensuring we felt we were in the driving seat and that we could change anything we wanted at any stage.

We will always be grateful we found them when we did, and will forever be thankful for the memories we have which made such a difficult time so positive.

Penny, Michael & David, Ruakaka, Oct 2022

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Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family in our greatest loss.  You have been the biggest help we could have asked for.

Maryanne, Australia, Sep 2022

 

We all know that the passing of a family member is stressful and difficult to handle, regardless of the person's age or circumstances.  My mum was 92 and had lived a very full and balanced life.  She was a fiercely independent person and very practical about how she wanted things done in both life and death.  Mum had outlived three husbands (all marriages 20 + years) and discussed with me how she wanted us to handle her passing after the stress of arranging 3 funerals herself.  After doing a Google search I researched services available in Whangarei. I came across A Graceful Undertaking, my mum being 92 I felt she would prefer to be attended to by ladies and I liked the more relaxed approach. 

My mum wanted the process to be no fuss, quick and the least amount of disruption to everyone. Jo & the team were responsive, professional and carried out my mum's wishes with respect.  I highly recommend this service, whilst our requirements were minimal due to mum's wishes I did not feel judged as to why we were not proceeding down the usual funeral service path with all the trimmings.  Again many thanks for your excellent service making difficult times easier.

Debbie, Kamo, March 2022

 

My Dad passed after a short unexpected illness.  He wanted a no fuss cremation and that's exactly what A Graceful Undertaking offered.  There was no pressure to do anything but his wishes and Jo was amazing, offering me support in a time where things were very raw.  I really appreciated the non 'cookie cutter' approach, Dad was a private man and his wishes were well looked after.  I would highly recommend A Graceful Undertaking and again really appreciate the kindness they showed during this difficult time.

Vicky, Canterbury, September 2021

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After our mum died suddenly, I had no idea what or where to turn.  Then Jo came to my rescue helping keep me calm and made the whole experience so much easier.  She helped with lots of practical advice and really helped me to come to terms with my loss and I am so glad that I had her there with her kind words.  The funeral itself went off without any problems and in fact was much more enjoyable that I had thought a funeral could be.

Thank you, thank you and Mum thanks you too.

Odele, Whangarei, May 2021

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Back in March we were saddened to lose my mother.

A Graceful Undertaking were absolutely fantastic in every way.  The words ‘caring’ and ‘nurturing’ come to mind.  Their advice, suggestions and knowledge were invaluable.  All questions and conversations were welcomed.  We wanted to keep mum at home and our involvement could be as little or as much as we wanted which made the whole process so much easier.  So much so that both of my teenage daughters went from distraught & terrified to lying on the bed with their Gran within hours.

Many who came to Mum’s service have voiced their plan to use A Graceful Undertaking in the future.  So glad to have had the help and care from the ladies at A Graceful Undertaking.  Greatly appreciated!

Sonya, Warkworth, March 2020

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It was pure good fortune I came upon the website of A Graceful Undertaking and immediately felt they were the people to contact when our darling man passed away. While the death of someone who is terminally ill may be expected, there is still an element of shock but Jo dealt with our fears, questions (and general ignorance), in a forthright but compassionate manner. After our initial phone discussion we had few questions left unanswered and Jo kindly iterated that we take a breath and that we had time to make decisions as they came up; there was no hurry.

Even though we live over an hour away from Whangarei, both Jo's were here first thing in the morning to talk us through the process. As emotions and ideas changed minute by minute as everyone tried to come to terms with his death, we felt completely heard and supported throughout the following days. They were very perceptive of our situation and managed any concerns we had with grace and kindness. My experience is of a truly pure love as Jo and Jo respectfully tended to Graeme in our home. Their care and commitment allowed us to grieve in whatever way we needed to as we dealt with our loss. I felt at all times he was in the best of care and, as they went through their necessary tasks, as if they were working as an extension of our love for him.

It can be difficult to express the depth of gratitude felt at times like this, so it is with absolute heart that I give thanks and praise to Jo and Jo for the beautiful service they offered us and the space and calm to say goodbye to our beloved man.

With Aroha. Meg, Kerikeri, March 2020

 

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