Sowman's Funerals

04/09/2026

After many suggestions, we have a name for our special memory bear - ECHO!

Well done Kiley Nicholas, your suggestion of Echo was a beautiful fit for our memory bear, symbolising how the love, stories and treasured memories of someone special continue to echo through our hearts and lives, even after they have gone.

Thank you to everyone who suggested a name, it was a difficult task to pick just one! Kiley, we have sent you a private message 😊

If you would like more information on our Memory Keepsake Bear then please reach out to us, or get in touch with Remember When Bears NZ.

🧸 This sweet little bear has a very special story—and now it needs a name! 🧸

Some clothes are simply too special to part with - Dad’s favourite flannel shirt, Mum’s bright floral dress, or a much-loved top that still holds so many memories.

We’re delighted to introduce Remember When Bears NZ, a wonderful new local business that lovingly transforms treasured clothing into beautiful, one-of-a-kind keepsake bears. Each bear can be created just the way you want it, from the colours and fabrics to those precious little details that make it uniquely yours.

Our gorgeous bear has now come to stay at Sowmans — but it’s missing one very important thing… a name! 💙

Pop your cutest name suggestion in the comments below. The person behind our favourite name will win a $50 Prezzy Card! 🎉
Entries close Friday 4th September, with the winning name announced soon after.
We can’t wait to see what you come up with — let the bear-naming begin! 🐻

27/08/2026

🧸 This sweet little bear has a very special story—and now it needs a name! 🧸

Some clothes are simply too special to part with - Dad’s favourite flannel shirt, Mum’s bright floral dress, or a much-loved top that still holds so many memories.

We’re delighted to introduce Remember When Bears NZ, a wonderful new local business that lovingly transforms treasured clothing into beautiful, one-of-a-kind keepsake bears. Each bear can be created just the way you want it, from the colours and fabrics to those precious little details that make it uniquely yours.

Our gorgeous bear has now come to stay at Sowmans — but it’s missing one very important thing… a name! 💙

Pop your cutest name suggestion in the comments below. The person behind our favourite name will win a $50 Prezzy Card! 🎉
Entries close Friday 4th September, with the winning name announced soon after.
We can’t wait to see what you come up with — let the bear-naming begin! 🐻

29/07/2026

There are some moments that can leave a community heartbroken.

The loss of this precious wee baby has touched so many people across Marlborough. While words can never ease the sadness, it has been incredibly moving to see our community come together with such compassion, generosity and kindness to ensure this little one is farewelled with the love and dignity every child deserves.

To everyone who has offered support, whether through their time, kindness or generosity, thank you.

At Sowman’s Funerals, it has been a privilege to help bring together the many acts of compassion that will honour this precious life. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.

If you are needing support, please don’t hesitate to call:

Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Sands Marlborough: (03) 579 4212
Baby Loss New Zealand: 0800 726 374
Victim Support: 0800 842 846

Sometimes, in the face of unimaginable sadness, a community’s kindness speaks louder than words. 🤍

With heartfelt thanks to New Zealand Police, Artisan Memorials, Mayflower Studio Florist, and Marlborough District Council for their generosity and support

13/07/2026

A change of scenery for the Sowman’s hearse today, with a trip to beautiful Kaikōura to support a lovely family as they said goodbye to their loved one.

We’re grateful to be able to walk alongside families, wherever the journey takes us. 💙🌊

06/07/2026

Tonight, on a cold Marlborough evening, was the perfect excuse to gather the Sowman’s crew around the table. ❄️☔️

Good food. Great company. Plenty of laughs. A little bit of talking shop (we couldn’t help ourselves!) and a reminder that we’ve got a pretty awesome team. ❤️

Thanks Fairweathers, for the great service!

25/06/2026

A wee Friday funny moment - Every workplace has those little moments where experience gets passed on.

Today it was all about photo negatives—much to the amusement (and slight disbelief!) of our younger team member, Georgia.

We had to educate her that not all photos were once digital and instant, sometimes we waited days or weeks for our photos to be developed and that we kept negatives and films in a shoe box!

Safe to say we’ve all learned something today! 📸😊

20/06/2026

🎉 Please join us in wishing Funeral Director Bob, a very Happy 70th Birthday! 🎉

*Disclaimer* - After being out late supporting families, Bob was only resting his eyes for a moment - nothing more!

From the rest of the team at Sowman's, we love and appreciate you Bob - and we wish you a very Happy Birthday! ❤️

We shall enjoy cake when you return from holiday!

10/06/2026

Hospice Marlborough warmly invites families who have lost a loved one in their care to join them for a special remembrance gathering. A time to pause to reflect, remember, and honour those who will always hold a place in our hearts. ❤️

Hospice Marlborough warmly invites all whānau and friends who have experienced the loss of a loved one under our care in the past year to join us for our special Matariki Remembrance Evening.

🗓️ 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
🕕 𝟔:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 – 𝟕:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦
📍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦, 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝟔𝟓 𝐀𝐥𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦
☕️𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝

Matariki is a time to come together, reflect, and honour those who have died, while also acknowledging love, memory, and connection.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐛𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫:
📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥: 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭@𝐦𝐡𝐭.𝐨𝐫𝐠.𝐧𝐳
📞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡: (𝟎𝟑) 𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝟗𝟒𝟗𝟐

Light refreshments supplied ☕️🍰

06/06/2026

Well done Water Cremation Aotearoa New Zealand!

Through our partnership with them, we’ve had the privilege of supporting several families through this process, helping them farewell their loved ones in a way that felt right for them.

For us here at Sowman’s, it's all about providing more choice and supporting families to make decisions that reflect their values and wishes. We're proud to bring this additional option to our Marlborough community. 💙

16/05/2026

🔥 Today some of the Sowman’s team are firing up the BBQ for the end of Hospice Awareness Week! 🌭
Come down to Bunnings, grab a sausage, and help us support the incredible work of Hospice Marlborough. Every sausage makes a difference — we’d love to see the local community there showing their support! 💜