— Our Palmerston North location

Funeral Directors in Palmerston North

Group portrait of six people in business attire, with a woman and dog seated on a vintage green loveseat, in front of a large black barn door and industrial background.

From our home on Main Street, our family has cared for Palmerston North families since 1967, with the warmth, dignity and quiet assurance of the Manawatū's longest-established family funeral home.

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— WELCOME

A familiar face in our city, for generations.

Robert J. Cotton Funeral Directors has been part of Palmerston North life since 1967, when Robert James Cotton opened our doors on Main Street. Four generations on, we are still here, still family-owned, and still caring for our city's families with the same dedication.

Centrally located in Terrace End, our Palmerston North home offers a warm, welcoming space for families to gather, plan and farewell their loved one. Whatever the hour, and whatever you need, our team is close by and ready to help.

An elderly man with glasses and graying hair holding hands with an elderly woman with gray hair outdoors in a peaceful setting.

Visit us on Main Street.

Our Chapel & Facilities

A warm and welcoming place to gather.

A man in a black suit stands outside a building with glass doors and white flowers in the foreground, with a roof and part of a second person visible inside.
An auditorium or conference room with rows of red cushioned chairs facing a stage with a wooden backdrop. The stage has two large flower arrangements in tall vases on either side and a large flower arrangement in the center. A projection screen hangs above the stage. The room is illuminated with ceiling lights and has large windows on the left side allowing natural light in.

Our Main Street home has been thoughtfully created for families and their guests, with spaces to come together, reflect and say goodbye in comfort.

  • A peaceful chapel for services large and small

  • A welcoming atrium and lounge for gathering and refreshments

  • Private arrangement rooms for unhurried conversations

  • High-quality livestreaming for loved ones who cannot attend

  • Ample parking, with level, wheelchair-friendly access throughout

  • Family pets are always welcome

Close-up of hands clasped together in prayer, with one hand wearing a brown bracelet and the other wearing a black watch, against a blurred background.

How we help in Palmerston North

Complete care, every step of the way.

  • Arranging a funeral
    Steady, unhurried guidance through every decision, in person or in your home.

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  • Burial & cremation

    Honest advice on the options available across Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū.

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  • Personalising the service

    The music, words, flowers and touches that make the farewell unmistakably theirs.

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  • Livestreaming & tributes

    Sharing the service with family and friends near and far.

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  • Cultural & faith services
    Respectful care for all cultures and beliefs, including repatriation.

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  • Pre-planning
    Recording your wishes ahead of time, for real peace of mind.

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— Funeral pricing — Palmerston North

Open about cost, from the very start.

We believe families deserve clarity, not surprises. The figures below are a guide to help you plan. A clear, written estimate is always prepared and talked through during the arrangement, so you understand every cost before you decide.

Direct Cremation - From

$4,600

An unattended cremation without a service, carried out with the same care and dignity.

Cremation with a Service - TYPICALLY

$10,000 - $13,000

A full service, varying with guests, catering, casket, care and the touches you choose.

Burial without a Service - From

$8,100

A graveside or unattended burial. Plot purchase is additional and varies by cemetery.

Burial with a Service - TYPICALLY

$13,000 - $15,000

A full service and burial, shaped around your family's wishes and the life being honoured.

Indicative only. A written estimate is provided at the time of arrangement.

See full Funeral Pricing

The voice of our families

In the words of those we've cared for.

Read our Google Reviews

  • "We have spent a lot of time reflecting on just how beautiful our week was from the time Mum passed right through to the graveside service and the service at your Chapel. We do want to personally thank you Nate, you read our family well, from the hospital transfer directly to your care we knew she was in good hands. Your attention to detail and gentle manner was outstanding. Thank you just doesn’t express our gratitude."

    — Maree - on behalf of Phyllis Whitelock’s family

  • "My heartfelt thanks to Hayden, Kylie and their staff, for their highly professional services, guidance, and compassion shown, whilst navigating what has been a very difficult time. Hayden and Kylie were always very contactable and helpful, also very kind, empathetic, and respectful. They go the extra mile, and I would highly recommend their services to others. On behalf of all my family, thank you all so much."

    — Mel Theodore

  • "Excellent service provided by Cottons. Nothing was a problem and they were very easy to deal with and gave me plenty of information To deal with a reasonably sudden death. This is the third time that we have engaged their services and we have been very happy with their service on every occasion. Thank you, Cottons"

    — Sue Stewart

  • "I cannot fault the amazing care that Hayden and the Cotton family provided for my dearest father. As a big Samoan family, and also with my dad being a Pastor and well known within the community, Hayden met all of our cultural needs and was so respectful and attentive to our requirements. Anything I wanted and needed, Hayden didn’t hesitate to make it happen. Having a humble, kind-hearted funeral director really does make all the difference to a grieving family, and knowing my dad was in the best hands during his last week on earth gives me so much peace."

    — Victoria Tongatu'a

Planning ahead

Thinking ahead is a gift to your family.

Recording your wishes now spares those you love from having to guess later. Our Palmerston North team is glad to talk it through, whenever you feel ready

Explore Pre-planning

Here when you need us

Whenever you're ready, we're here.

Day or night, in Palmerston North or Feilding — one call is all it takes to begin.

Palmerston North

(06) 355 2529