Funeral directors • South Auckland & Franklin

Waters Funerals.

Thoughtful guidance and dignified care for families across South Auckland, Manukau and Franklin.

Two chapels, Pukekohe and Papatoetoe with on-site mortuary, 24-hour support and the calm, professional service families have trusted since 2009.

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Venues

Two locations at your service.

Thoughtfully designed spaces created to feel calm, welcoming and dignified for families and loved ones.

About Waters Funerals
About Us

We’re local. Like you.

We are a proudly New Zealand-owned, family-operated funeral business and have been part of the South Auckland community since 2009, supporting families through difficult moments with warmth, professionalism and genuine care.

To better serve families in Franklin and Waikato, we expanded to Pukekohe in 2015, bringing the same thoughtful, personal approach to a wider community.

As a family business, we understand the importance of family, connection and community. Because we know the communities we work in, we understand that every farewell is personal, cultural and deeply meaningful.

Our role is simple: to make a difficult time feel clearer, calmer and more supported, treating every family with the same care and respect we would want for our own.

Services

Clear support. Thoughtfully delivered.

Everything families need, arranged with dignity, calm communication and close attention to detail.

Funeral Services

We work together to create a funeral and choose options that suit your needs. These days, you can hold services in a wide variety of areas - from our chapels to your church or the cemetery … in a hall, on a homestead or lifestyle block; under a marquee at home. You can add in…

Pre-Planning

The advantage of pre-planning is that you, your family or executor do not need to make difficult decisions at a time of bereavement. This can help reduce divisions and even conflicts within families when everyone is under pressure. For instance, a pre-planned funeral would indicate whether there is burial/cremation and where; and whether you want a…

International and Domestic Transfers

If your loved one dies overseas and needs to be repatriated, or dies here and needs to be returned overseas, call on us to help arrange everything. We liaise with the overseas Funeral Home to get all legal documentation required for the transfer, and we keep in constant contact with the airline, and the consulate or…

Death Certificates

We will help you obtain a Death Certificate which is essential to complete estate matters. By New Zealand law, all deaths require registration. We can assist you to obtain this legal document and ensure that the form is filled out correctly to avoid delays. To familiarise yourself with this process here is a link to Internal Affairs Department. Please click…

Embalming

Embalming ensures a memorable and positive viewing experience, allowing for presentation, sanitation and preservation of the deceased. For some, viewing may be helpful in the grieving process. Our in-house mortuary and embalmers ensure every care is taken to present your loved one as you’d like to remember him or her. We understand that viewing of your beloved can leave a lasting impression.

Viewing

For your privacy and quiet time, we have several private lounges and rooms at each location. You can use family rooms for discussion or viewing. Reflecting our diverse community, we cater for families of mixed ethnicities and cultures, and assist with cultural protocols, spiritual and religious beliefs. It means you and your supporters can discuss…

Our Fleet

While most people prefer a hearse, you can also arrange some other vehicles that may reflect the deceased’s interests or lifestyle - such as a classic vehicle; truck, Ute, farm vehicle or whatever. Talk with us about your preferences.

Obituaries

We will prepare an obituary to be published for your loved one - basically a summary of life or family, with funeral details if a private service is not arranged. We are happy to help you prepare an obituary and then arrange publication in the New Zealand Herald, and other publications. For your convenience Waters Funerals…

Catering

You’ll love the way our caterer delivers more than just the traditional sausage or asparagus rolls and club sandwiches. But then, like us she adds a personal touch - as you’ll see when looking at our menus. It adds something special to the time you spend with family and friends after the funeral service. Table…

After the funeral

Sometimes the loss of a loved one can be especially painful. We understand that grieving does not end with the funeral. We are here not only to help arrange the funeral, but also to help you cope with loss. There are a wide variety of grief resources available and we will help point you in…
Our Process

A calm process from the first call.

Step by step, we help families move through important decisions with more clarity and less pressure.

01

Initial Call

We explain what needs to happen first and provide calm, immediate guidance.

02

Planning Together

We work through venue, timing, service details, viewing, transport and family preferences.

03

Preparation

Our team manages the documentation, arrangements and preparation behind the scenes.

04

Service & Beyond

From the day itself to aftercare, we stay present and supportive every step of the way.

Our People

The people behind the care.

Meet the team that has supported families across South Auckland and Franklin since 2009.

Richie Waters
Managing Director / Funeral Director / Embalmer

Richie Waters

Richie's experience and expertise as a qualified Funeral Director and one of the region's most respected embalmers is driven by a near-death experience as a child.

With almost 30 years of experience in caring for families and supporting those experiencing bereavement, Richie has a unique ability to understand your needs and feelings. His focus is always on your wishes, ensuring your expectations are met with compassion, dignity and care.

Although he's on call literally seven days a week, Richie is also a proud father of four children and grandfather to one grandson. He treasures his time with his family and enjoys sharing in their activities.

Caroline Waters
Manager of Operations

Caroline Waters

Caroline has a deep understanding of grief and loss and the challenges families face during such a vulnerable time. Her gentle nature, compassion and empathy ensure families feel supported and cared for throughout their journey with us.

As well as looking after funeral arrangements and bookings, Caroline manages both branches of Waters Funerals, ensuring everything runs smoothly and families receive the care and attention they deserve.

Caroline is Richie's wife, and together they share four children and one grandson. Their dedication to serving families means that family trips and time away are few and far between, as they are always committed to being there for the families who need them. Their own family understands the importance of the work they do and the commitment it takes to care for others during their most difficult times.

Ivan Waters
Staff Member

Ivan Waters

You may already know Ivan through his successful concreting business, which has been serving families throughout the region for many years.

What you may not know is that Ivan is also a founding partner of our funeral business, working behind the scenes alongside the team, lending his skilled hand to the embalming process.

Ivan is not only part of our funeral team but also Richie's father. Their close family relationship is reflected in the shared values, dedication and commitment to providing care and support to you and your family when it matters most.

Joanna Diamond
Staff Member

Joanna Diamond

Jo is a warm, loving and caring person who takes great pride in everything she does. With experience in council cemetery processes, she brings valuable knowledge and understanding to helping families navigate the arrangements during a difficult time.

Jo has a genuine passion for caring for bereaved families, offering kindness, compassion and support when it is needed most.

Outside of work, Jo is a devoted mother of one and treasures her family time.

John Cross
Staff Member

John Cross

John has been part of the Waters Funerals team since the very beginning and is another much-loved member of our extended family.

With years of experience supporting bereaved families, John ensures your loved ones are treated with dignity and respect when being brought into our care and on the day of the funeral.

With his patient, quiet and calm nature, John has a special way of making families feel at ease. Known affectionately as Uncle John, he is always busy behind the scenes, helping wherever needed and taking pride in keeping our branches looking their best.

John is a valued part of our team, and we are grateful for his dedication and care.

Testimonials

Families remember how you made them feel.

Compassion, patience and professionalism are often what matter most. In the words of the families we've cared for.

H
Hamilton-Irvine Family
Lina, Wayne, Lee and families
“

At a most difficult time, your compassion and help was truly appreciated. Especially to Richie, thank you so much for the time and effort in organising everything for us. Kind regards from Lina, Wayne, Lee and families.

V
Vinala Vaka Levu
Family of Ravi Nandah
“

I would to thank the funeral home for taking care of my grandfather - Ravi Nandah. It was very heart warming and comforting to feel cared for and nurtured by the funeral home during this difficult time for my family. I would also like to comment on your professionalism and empathy that you showed on the day of the funeral. My grandfather would have been very pleased with such a wonderful service. Thank you again for all your help, hugely appreciated.

A
Alison Paton
Waters Funerals family
“

Thank you very much for managing my fathers funeral. Our family really appreciated the way in which you did this.

M
Minh and family
Waters Funerals family
“

On behalf of my family I would like to thank you all for the fine services you all provided during and after my father's wake.

B
Bacon, Te Hira, Mawdsley, Rameka whanau
Waters Funerals family
“

Thank you for all your help and support in our time of need.

J
Janice, Gail and Karen
His sisters
“

We would like to thank you very much for the perfect care you took of our dear brother. In all my 57yrs I have never seen such perfection from a Funeral Director.

T
Tino, Ruta & Leileen Lesa
With love
“

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for all you have done for us and our son A.J Lesa. We will never forget the loving care you provided for our beloved son. May our loving Father above bless your buisness and each and every one of your employees and family. So, once again, thank you and God bless!

A
Aunty Hime and family
Love and kisses
“

A very special thank you from my children and especially myself for all the beautiful care and love you showed uncle Andy. You all made everything so easy for us and we will be eternally thankful. You did him proud. No doubt about that. Thank you for the DVD of the service, although I haven't been strong enough to watch it yet, and for all the special extra's that you did. My heart is full of love for each and every one of you. Thank you all so very much.

Y
Yvonne and Colin Amery and Danielle North
Arohanui
“

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us through the funeral of my son, Tyron. Danielle, Colin and I are grateful for your respect that you showed our family through the difficult time.

T
The Mills and Gray families
John, Denise and Kain Mills; Shelly, Richie and Kahe Gray
“

Thank you so much for your support and kindness, and most of all the care and respect you gave Pop, for which we will always be thankful. We wish you luck with your business. We know you will make a difference to many families.

M
Mere Cooper and whanau
With love
“

Thank you so much for looking after our mum and our family. Words cannot explain how much that meant to us, especially at such a difficult and sad time. You are a true testament to the work that you do and I truly believe that you were meant to be where you are today. Thank you.

M
Margaret, Chris and whanau
Kind regards
“

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say thank you... My husband, Chris, my family, mothers, sisters and their families and myself were in awe of the way you conducted yourselves during the time of our fathers tangi. We were very please with the way everything went from your staff... A big thanks once again and God bless you all.

A
A Waters Funerals family
Daughter of the deceased
“

Recently our mother passed away and I was very fortunate to choose Waters Funerals to help me through this time. They were a very dedicated team and I was happy with all aspects of their assistance to us. Richie & Caroline "walked" us through the entire experience and helped us with the paperwork, services, programs, placing the notice etc. They also listened to all of our requests and then implemented them efficiently. I also feel I should add that costs were a consideration and they enabled us to have a very good funeral which was also at a very reasonable cost.

H
Henare & Carol Reti and the Johnson Family
Waters Funerals family
“

Thank you once again, to the entire team, you helped us to make the experience a wonderful "celebration" of life which our family will always be grateful for.

FAQ

Questions families often ask.

Clear answers to help remove uncertainty during a difficult time.

First, contact the family doctor. If they are unavailable or had not recently seen the deceased, you may be advised to contact the police. We are here to guide you through the next steps and help make the situation feel clearer.
If your loved one did not leave clear instructions, the family will usually decide together. We explain both options carefully so you can make an informed choice.
Embalming can support presentation, sanitation and preservation. It can be especially helpful when families want a viewing or more time before the service.
We help handle the registration process promptly and guide families on what to expect with the timing and next administrative steps.
Yes. Pre-planning can make things much easier for families later, while also giving you more control over personal wishes and important details.
Here When You Need Us

Local support. Thoughtful guidance. Quiet confidence.

When families need clarity, care and calm communication, we are here to help make every next step feel more manageable.

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