Are you ready to turn easy ceremony planning into unforgettable memories of life?
Our 30-page practical guide, “How To Plan Your Funeral In 90 Minutes”, walks you through the key decisions in a clear, step-by-step way. It’s designed to help you create a personal and meaningful ceremony without the pressure or confusion
that often comes with traditional arrangements.
START PLANNING TODAYWhy does planning a farewell often feel so overwhelming?
Most families want a heartfelt ceremony that
truly reflects their loved one
— not a rushed, expensive, or impersonal service.
Yet decision pressures, high costs, and rigid options can leave families feeling powerless.
There is a calmer, more personal way to get things in order.
Many families find that gentle pre-planning — especially before or during palliative care — brings unexpected peace.
Taking small steps early allows you to express wishes clearly, reduce uncertainty for loved ones, and focus more fully on what matters most in the present moment.
Who will walk alongside you as your funeral celebrant in Timaru?
Greetings.
I’m Andy Jaques, founder of Soul Reflections® Funeral Celebrancy. My own recent journey has shown me how powerful a thoughtful, well-planned farewell can be.
With over twenty years in radio storytelling and professional celebrant training, I now help families create ceremonies that feel authentic and deeply respectful.
My journey into celebrancy came from personal experience. Caring for my mother through her journey with Alzheimer’s introduced me to ‘ambiguous grief’, while my own battles with serious illness and multiple ICU stays gave me a deep appreciation for life’s fragility.
These experiences have helped prepare me to guide others in their most difficult times.
I trained at the Celebrants Training College and founded Soul Reflections® with one clear purpose: to walk alongside families in their time of need, and help them create ceremonies that feel right — personal, heartfelt, and deeply respectful.
I have also completed training in The Fundamentals of Palliative Care through Hospice NZ and would be honoured and humbled to assist families currently caring for loved ones.
Our Approach
We don’t take over. We listen carefully, ask gentle questions, and work closely with you to design a ceremony that reflects your loved one’s unique personality, values, and story.
Whether you prefer a traditional service, a relaxed celebration of life, or something in between, we ensure the day feels authentic to your family and honours ‘A Soul To Remember®’.
Why Families Choose Us
• Deeply compassionate and experienced guidance.
• Full flexibility with locations — home, rural properties, favourite outdoor spots, or non-traditional venues.
• Personalised ceremonies at a fair and transparent price.
• Support throughout the entire planning process.
It would be an honour to help you create a farewell that brings comfort, connection, and lasting memories.
Kindest, Andy
How do we create a meaningful farewell together?
It’s simple and supportive.
First, we have a free, no-obligation conversation so I can listen to what matters most.
Then we design every detail together — location, music, tributes and flow.
Finally, we hold a beautiful, personalised ceremony in the place that feels right for you.
Our simple 3-step plan:
GET IN TOUCH
Reach out for a no-obligation conversation. Share your story and what matters most. We listen with care and provide guidance from day one.
PLAN TOGETHER
We design every detail — location, music, tributes, rituals, and flow — so the ceremony truly reflects your loved one and supports your family’s needs.
CELEBRATE THEIR LIFE
Host a beautiful, personalised ceremony in the place that feels right for you — whether at home, a favourite outdoor spot, or another meaningful venue.
Farewell. Honour. Remember. Your way. Anywhere. Beautifully.
BOOK YOUR FREE CONVERSATION
What kind of ceremonies can we create together?
We design full funerals, memorial services, relaxed celebrations of life, family-led or hybrid ceremonies, and fully custom or themed farewells. Every ceremony is shaped around the unique personality, values and story of the person being honoured, with complete flexibility on location and style.
Full Funeral
A complete ceremony (with coffin present), with full personalisation of music, readings, tributes, and rituals. Full pre-planning advice available.
Full Memorial
Beautiful ways to remember and say goodbye when a private funeral has already taken place (post-cremation), or when the focus is on celebration and release.
Celebrations of Life
Relaxed, story-focused gatherings that focus on joy, memories, laughter, and legacy — often held at meaningful non-traditional locations.
Family-led or Hybrid Ceremonies
We can support you to lead parts of the service yourself, or blend traditional and personal elements in a way that feels right for your family.
Custom & Themed Ceremonies
Tailored to reflect hobbies, faith, cultural background, community service, or anything that made your loved one special.
Can I get things in order before the time comes?
Yes. Taking small steps early — especially during palliative care or even when happily residing in a retirement village while you still have energy — brings unexpected peace.
Our practical 30-page guide “How To Plan Your Funeral In 90 Minutes” walks you through the key decisions in our step-by-step system, clearly and calmly, so your wishes are known and your family is supported.
How To Plan
Your Funeral
In 90 Minutes
Most people avoid thinking about their funeral — until they realise leaving it until the last minute creates stress and regret for those left behind.
The truth is, you deserve a farewell that honours who you really are.
In ‘How To Plan Your Funeral In 90 Minutes‘ from Soul Reflections® Funeral Celebrancy, we make the process simple, empowering, and even meaningful.
This practical guide acts as your trusted companion, walking you through 14 clear sections covering everything that matters:
• Choosing a location and date that feels right.
• Creating a beautiful service with music, tributes & reflections.
• Deciding on venue, celebrant, refreshments & final wishes.
• Recording your plan so that your loved ones know exactly what you want.
No more confusion. No more overwhelm. Just a calm, step-by-step path to a celebration of life that feels authentic to you.
Start creating peace of mind — for yourself and everyone you love.
Standard Digital Edition now available for NZD $29.99 (incl GST).
Our New Zealand-specific version is NZD $24.99. (Select either option before checkout)
Ready to turn easy ceremony planning into unforgettable memories of life?
Where do we create these personalised ceremonies?
Proudly Serving Mid & South Canterbury
(and Beyond)
Based in Timaru, I proudly serve families across greater Timaru, Mid & South Canterbury, Mackenzie Country, North Otago, and surrounding rural areas (with other areas by arrangement).
Regional travel is offered at a heavily subsidised rate because every family deserves compassionate celebrancy and a farewell that feels right, no matter where they are.
Turning easy ceremony planning into unforgettable memories of life!
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a funeral celebrant actually do?
A funeral celebrant works closely with your family to design and lead a personalised ceremony that reflects the life, personality and values of the person being honoured. We help with structure, wording, music, readings and flow so the day feels authentic and meaningful.
Do you only work in Timaru?
No. While based in rural Timaru, we regularly serve families across Mid and South Canterbury, Mackenzie Country, North Otago and surrounding rural areas. Travel is offered at a heavily subsidised rate.
Can the ceremony be held somewhere other than a funeral home?
Yes. Ceremonies can take place at home, on a rural property, at a favourite outdoor spot, a hall, or any location that feels right for your family. We are completely flexible.
Does it cost more to hold a funeral in a rural location?
Not necessarily. With the right planning and consideration of all options available (location, venue, catering and transport), it can be surprising to see the value that can be delivered by doing so. We have a particularly strong connection with rural community life.
What types of ceremonies do you offer?
We create full funerals (with the coffin present), memorial services, relaxed celebrations of life, family-led or hybrid ceremonies, and fully custom or themed farewells. Every service is shaped around what matters most to you.
How much does a personalised ceremony cost?
We offer fair and transparent pricing. After a free, no-obligation conversation, we provide a clear quote so there are no surprises. Many families find our approach more affordable than traditional options, particularly with catering, location and venue options.
Can I plan ahead or get things in order early?
Yes. Taking small steps early — especially during palliative care or while living in a retirement village — brings real peace of mind. We also offer a practical 30-page guide that walks you through the key decisions calmly and clearly.
How do we get started?
Simply book a free, no-obligation conversation. We listen carefully to your story and wishes, then guide you through the planning process at a pace that feels comfortable.
Farewell. Honour. Remember. Your way. Anywhere. Beautifully.
Contact us
Please feel free to send a message, and I will respond as quickly as possible.
Kindest, Andy
