Caring Estates

17/05/2026

I love catching up with funeral directors. This week was Seddon Park Funeral Home. So awesome to see my flyers in their foyer.

06/05/2026

An interesting blog post from the Funeral Directors Association on choosing the right funeral director

Posted in All, Blog; Posted 2 days ago by Sam - Representing the Funeral Directors Association Less than a minute to read

13/04/2026

I wrote an opinion piece for the Funeral Directors Association on the unfair increase in complaints against Funeral Directors...

https://funeraldirectors.co.nz/news-and-events/news-and-advocacy/funeral-directors-are-being-blamed-for-family-disputes-they-didnt-create/?fbclid=Iwb21leARJhVpjbGNrBEmFTWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHqh-_tQasg2rA0vlO1Kii_A7TlyrCaAS8IqHgvldjn0JT35cpCs2v_nANkY2_aem__BsYCeOLy3gnefGEseH7HQ

At a recent funeral directors conference my firm sponsored, I learned that complaints against funeral directors are rising across New Zealand.

26/02/2026

Dr Lucy Hone's message on "What do Grievers Need Most" was incredible. I felt so honored to meet her in person and get signed copies of her books.

Number one lesson for me, "give people hope".

I'll put a link in my comments for her TedTalk about resilience. If you like it, then you may also find her books helpful.

26/02/2026

I'm so happy to sponsor the Funeral Directors Association NZ conference, "The Future is Now". A great conference with a great bunch of people!

14/02/2026

This is exactly how I look in the office 🤣 Hair blowing in the wind, sunglasses, and a name tag in case my assistant forgets my name 😂

04/01/2026

In Dubai learning how to use AI for businesses.

24/12/2025

Have a great Christmas!

23/12/2025

THE HARDEST TIME OF THE YEAR

I know that this is the hardest time of the year for many of my clients. It can be even harder because we are supposed to be happy during the holiday season.

It’s okay to cry, to write a letter to the person you miss, or to light a candle in their memory. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a close friend. Self-compassion matters. Grief is heavy enough without judging yourself for how you’re coping.

Sometimes healing looks like noticing the smallest moments—a warm sunbeam, birds in flight, a favourite song. These moments don’t erase your loss, but they can gently remind you that life still offers pockets of comfort. On hard days, simply getting out of bed is an achievement.

You don’t have to “move on” or force festive feelings. You’re allowed to move with your grief. That might mean cancelling plans, creating new traditions, or just taking things moment by moment. There is no right way to grieve—only what feels most honest for you.

For me, it's being in nature with my dog Riley.

12/12/2025

So honored to be moving counsel for this awesome woman Donna McKie ! I'm so proud of you Donna, I could cry 🥰 I know you're gonna make an amazing lawyer!!