Funeral home for seaside

A new style funeral home with a nautical-dockland theme incorporating a cafe is planned for Timaru. Stu Piddington reports.

Timaru is set to have a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art tribute centre on Patiti Point to cater for funerals in the 21st century.

Betts Funeral Services owner Dick Ireton believes his new tribute centre will take advantage of a wonderful natural setting and be ahead of its time in terms of functionality.

The main feature of the tribute centre is that people will struggle to recognise it as a "funeral home".

The plans show a nautical-dockland theme building stretching east-west on the site that overlooks the ocean on the 0.63ha site. adjacent the council reserve.

The highest point of the site is to be used for a cafe.

Mr Ireton said utilising the dramatic seascapes of the Patiti Point rocks, the semi-detached 60-seat cafe building will merely be seen as a neighbour to the remainder of the construction.

The funeral director is keen for people to take a fresh look at what is proposed rather than hold on to any bugbears around death and funerals.

"I'm hoping people will find the concept a good one as it is being built for the benefit of South Canterbury as I could make more money by erecting apartments on the site."

Mr Ireton said the term "tribute centre" is more likely to be pursued in favour of such words as funeral and chapel.

"In doing this it will be in keeping with the theme behind the external appearance of the building which is designed with a dockside-nautical feeling which is appropriate to its location."

The design uses bluestone, iron, timber and glass as features.

"Also blended into the design is a deliberate move to make the exterior as non-morbid as possible, and to screen anything such as hearses, coffins and the mortuary from the public sight."

Mr Ireton said this is being achieved with clever use of bundings and design to make the overall appearance very normal, as is the current and likely future trends for funerals.

There will also be external access for mourners to viewing rooms 24-hours a day with access swipe cards without having to use a funeral director in line with overseas trends.

"This will allow people to visit at any time they feel is appropriate."

Mr Ireton said the cafe will stretch its views to the north, east and south east ocean, with not even a glimpse of the neighbouring building.

He did not believe the fact it was adjacent to a tribute centre would have an affect on trade because of its unique location beside the sea.

"With enthusiastic vision I will encourage the district council to upgrade the walkway (in a manner similar to that of New Plymouth) to harmonise with the development of this site.

"Joggers, walkers, cyclists and vehicles will be able to access the site to experience the most majestic cafe situation on the East Coast of New Zealand.

Mr Ireton said he had been looking for a suitable site for some time.

"With the onset of the District Council plan of utilising North Street to access the port with an overpass at the seaward end of North St over the railway it places the current chapel in a vulnerable position going into the future with regard to access, noise and parking.

"I am not interested in objecting to that plan as I would not want to stifle progress, especially with a company as progressive as the Port of Timaru."

Therefore it was essential to seek out a quiet and appropriate situation that ultimately was located near the cemetery and with easy access to the crematorium, he said.

Mr Ireton said a location with an outlook was the ultimate setting and a pleasant backdrop and serene surrounding was sought.

"The design of most funeral homes imitate a tranquil backdrop in the chapel to create an ambience with items such as fountains and water features.

"With this site we believe we have the very best backdrop to any funeral home in New Zealand, if not globally."

Mr Ireton said the people of Timaru can benefit from this location for years ahead.

"The site could well suit apartments, and if a clever, quick flick approach was taken, approximately 19 apartments reaching skywards capturing the splendid views could be erected."

Mr Ireton said in real business terms apartments would be more beneficial but the use of the site for a

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