Crematorium
Whakatāne Crematorium
Address: Hillcrest Cemetery on Ōhope Road
Opening hours: 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Saturday
Phone: 07 306 0500.
The first crematorium in the District was officially opened in October 2009. The facility’s modern design is centred around the theme of a waka and incorporates a 50 seat chapel.
Arrangements for cremations and use of the chapel may be made through a funeral director, who will make a booking with the Council. Bookings must be received at least eight working hours prior to a cremation taking place.
You may optionally choose to arrange a cremation or burial without a funeral director. For more information contact the Cremaorium in advance.
Whakatāne Cemeteries
Hillcrest Cemetery
Address: Ōhope Road, halfway between Whakatāne and Ohope
Opening hours: 7am to 7pm daily
The first burial recorded was in 1944, and its 5.6 hectares have been developed to cater for conventional burials, natural burials, and ash interments. A separate RSA section offers areas for burials and ash interments of Veterans.
The cemetery is located in a very peaceful area, with beautiful specimen trees and gardens surrounded by farmland. Council employs a full-time sexton to maintain the area.
Domain Road Cemetery
Address: Domain Road, Whakatane
The Domain Road Cemetery is believed to be the first European-style cemetery established in the Whakatāne township. The first recorded burial here was in 1899, however, it is known to be older than that. The cemetery is officially closed and plots are no longer for sale. Although closed, it is still possible to have ashes interred with an existing burial, this can be arranged with the Cemeteries Administrator.
Tāneatua Cemetery
Located on the outskirts of the township, Tāneatua Cemetery services the wider Tāneatua area. It’s nestled on a hillside amongst a variety of mature trees. The first recorded burial was in 1918.
Murupara and Galatea Cemetery
Located on Cemetery Road, Galatea, only a small portion of this cemetery is used for burials – the rest is leased to a local farmer. There are designated RSA, Protestant and Catholic plots, and an RSA ashes wall. The first burial was in 1966, and the cemetery is used mainly by Murupara and Galatea residents. The area is well-planted and in a quiet, peaceful spot.