Harvey Bowler Funeral Services Ltd

11/08/2026

Exciting News for Our Foxton Community! 📍🏡
Harvey Bowler Funeral Services (incorporating Anderson Funeral Services) is moving a street over!

We are relocating our Foxton office from 73a Main Street Foxton to a new home on Johnston Street, Foxton.

Renovations are currently underway, and we look forward to opening our doors soon to continue serving our local community with the same care, compassion, and dedication you’ve known for years. We have been working with our Foxton community for over 100 years and have run and owned Anderson Funerals for the last couple of years.

Stay tuned for our official opening date - hopefully at the start of September! We are still working behind the scenes and can provide home visits or arrange a time to meet you at one of our other locations in Levin or Shannon.

Thank you for your continued support as we make this exciting transition!

27/07/2026

Grief can bring families closer together — but it can also bring differences to the surface. Different memories, perspectives, and emotions are all part of saying goodbye.

The important thing isn’t perfect agreement. It’s creating a farewell that reflects love, respect, and the life of the person being honoured.

This thoughtful blog put together by The Funeral Directors Association, explores how families can navigate disagreements during funeral planning with compassion and understanding.

Posted in All, Blog; Posted 52 days ago by Sam - Representing the Funeral Directors Association Less than a minute to read

13/07/2026

Serving the Horowhenua community since 1923 means we’ve stood alongside local families through generations. While times change, our commitment to caring for your loved ones with dignity never fades

01/07/2026

Did you know that pre-planning your farewell is one of the kindest gifts you can leave your family? It removes the guesswork during a difficult time!

You can request an information pack to be posted to you, collect one from our office or simply follow the link below and start the conversation today!
https://www.harveybowler.co.nz/pre-planning

17/06/2026

For over a century, Harvey Bowler Funeral Services has been a pillar of support, compassion, and trust in our community. 🌟

Since our very beginning, over 100 years ago, we have had the profound privilege of standing alongside local families during their most difficult moments. While time has brought many changes, our core commitment remains exactly the same: providing dignified, personalised, and heartfelt care when it matters most.

We are incredibly grateful to the generations of families who have trusted us to honour their loved ones. Serving this community isn't just our history—it's our passion and our ongoing promise to you.

Thank you for allowing us to be here for you yesterday, today, and for many years to come. 🤍

04/06/2026

Community Q&A Series: Burials

What is a "Natural" or "Green" burial?
A green burial focuses on returning the body to the earth as naturally as possible. This typically involves no embalming fluids, using biodegradable materials like wicker or unfinished wood, and burial in the upper soil layers. Our nearest natural burial cemetery is in Otaki.

Can two people be buried in the same plot?
Yes, this is often called a "double-depth" plot. Many cemeteries allow for two caskets to be buried one on top of the other, or for a casket and several sets of cremated remains to share the same space, which can be a more cost-effective and space-saving option for families.

For more information on burials or to have your burial questions answered you can email us at [email protected] or phone on 0800 33 22 73

20/05/2026

Community Q&A Series: Understanding Cremation

Choosing the right path for a farewell is a deeply personal journey, and it’s natural to have questions about how the process works. Today, we’re sharing answers to three of the most common questions we receive.

🤍Is a casket required for cremation?
While a traditional casket is not a legal requirement, a "combustible receptacle" such as a cremation liner is necessary for the process. This ensures everything is handled with the utmost dignity and meets crematorium safety standards and the burials and cremations act. There are many simple and respectful options available to suit your preferences.

🤍Can more than one person be cremated at once?
No. It is a strict legal and professional standard that only one person is cremated at a time. This ensures the absolute integrity of the remains, providing families with total peace of mind that the ashes returned to them are those of their loved one.

🤍What can we do with the ashes?
Options are vast, ranging from traditional interment in a cemetery or scattering in a meaningful location to more unique choices like incorporating them into jewellery, glass art, or even paper weights!

Got another question? Send us a message and we will answer it for you because as you know we are all about educating our community!

14/05/2026

Community Q&A: Can I prepay for a funeral?

The short answer is yes.
Many people find great comfort in knowing their arrangements are taken care of financially, removing that burden from their loved ones later on.

Why choose our prepaid service?

✅Total Security: As members of FDANZ and Selected Independent Funeral Homes, we follow strict security measures. Your funds are held safely in a separate bank trust account under your own name.

✅100% Towards Your Care: We don’t charge fees or commissions for this service.

✅Interest Earned: Any interest your prepaid funds earn is compounded to the initial amount and stays in your account, helping it grow over time.

✅ Can Help Financially: If you are planning on going into residential care, talk to our team about the residential care exemption for prepaid funerals

Planning ahead is a gift to your family. If you'd like to chat about how this works or request a information pack, our doors are always open!

09/05/2026

A mother’s love is the first chapter of our lives, and her legacy is the story that follows. This Mother’s Day, Harvey Bowler Funeral Services honours the incredible women who have shaped our lives and our community.

To those celebrating and those remembering: we wish you a day of gentle reflection and cherished memories.

05/05/2026

Community Q&A: Understanding the Role of an Executor

When we sit down with a family, one of the first questions we ask is: "Who is the Executor?" While it might seem like a technicality, it is a vital part of ensuring your loved one’s wishes are legally honoured.

What you need to know:

The Transition: If an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) was in place, it legally ceases at the time of death. At that exact moment, the Executor takes over the responsibility for decision-making.

The Role: The Executor is the person chosen to manage the estate and carry out the instructions left in the Will.

What if there is no Will? If a Will hasn't been made, the legal next of kin (such as a spouse) typically steps in to complete the necessary paperwork.

Have questions about the process? We’re here to help guide you through every step 💚