On the couch

couch with Shone & Shirley’s funeral director Alastair Hebbard

Intrigued with the industry from a very young age, Alastair and Emma Hebbard are the seventh owners of Nelson’s longest-serving funeral home, Shone & Shirley. Alastair talks to Nelson Magazine about how their family cares for yours.

Shone & Shirley are celebrating 160 years soon, what do you think contributes to the success and longevity of the business?

Adaptability and commitment to care. We understand how important family is and the sensitivity around what can be a very difficult time, and we care for loved ones as we would our own. We have the experience and the resources to put your desires in place and create a special and memorable occasion.

How did you find yourself in this field of work?

I was intrigued with the industry from the age of five. My mum provided the flowers for a service, and I remember seeing the really smartly dressed funeral director, who had a very caring nature and arrived in a shiny car, and I remember thinking ‘wow!’ I left school much later, gaining my diploma in embalming, then found my calling in funeral directing.

What may people be surprised to know about your role?

You have to wear many different hats! Aside from our role as funeral directors, we are adept at car washing, vacuuming, counsellor, tea-making and everything in between! It is a very multi-skilled role. You need to have an ability to read a situation very quickly and be adaptable.

Long standing supporters of the community, why is it important for you as a business to keep connected with locals?

I like to see the funeral home as a community haven. One element is that we get to know the community and they can really get to know us, and people can feel safe and secure knowing who we are. My wife Emma coordinates SANDS for the region and offers care for families at no cost, as one of our ways to support the community. We strongly believe in the value of community and family, donating what we can back into the region.

What range of services can you offer?

We cover all types of services for funerals, cremations and memorials. We can cater to anything from large scale traditional services to small, intimate gatherings. We are adaptable and can tailor-make a service to suit a family's needs and can help with pre-planning and planning ahead. Making your wishes clear ahead of time can prove to be of great comfort to loved ones. For us it is really about that personal touch. We know that the smallest details are important and the extra service we give makes the difference.