Jim Harborow says he and his wife Barbara have seen many changes to the way families farewell their loved ones in their 25 years as funeral directors.
"In the old days, they could be quite bland. Often you would go through the whole funeral without mentioning the name of the deceased.
"They became much more personalised. I think that's a great thing.''
Mrs Harborow said this change occurred even down to the caskets.
"Not long before we left, there was a man who spent years duck shooting, so his casket was covered in ducks.''
The pair retired last month from their business, Harborow and Co, selling it to Gore couple Graham and Heather Stephen, who have renamed it Central Otago Funerals.
The Harborows had had a police contract, which meant they were on call 24 hours in case a body needed to be removed, but Mrs Harborow said as they grew older, middle-of-the-night callouts became more difficult.
Their adventure in the industry began in Patearoa while Mr Harborow was chief executive of the Maniototo Hospital Board.
Because he was well-known, people would ask him to organise funerals for family members, he said.
"It was a free service. But I found it very rewarding.''
In 1990, they moved to Alexandra and bought a funeral business on Ennis St.
Mrs Harborow initially had less of a role as she looked after their two children but became more involved as the children grew, interviewing families and eventually organising funerals herself.
As cremation became more popular, the couple built a crematory on Ngapara St in 2007.
"When we started, it was about 70% burials, 30% cremations. Now those figures have almost reversed. It is partly a cost thing.''
They were the only game in town until Affinity Funerals opened in 2009 but Mrs Harborow said it had not really hurt their business.
Mr Harborow said rural funerals were often larger than those in cities.
"Everyone knows you. We had one funeral where 1600 people came.''
The job required selflessness, he said.
"You can't say to a family ‘look, I've got to go now'. You wouldn't be long in the business.
"We are very privileged to be able to be there for people in their time of need.''
Mrs Harborow said being around death, especially in tragic circumstances, could take its toll.
"You do your best at the time for them, they are the most important people in that moment, but you've got to be able to let it go.''
Mr Harborow said he was able to "switch off very quickly'' and not let grief affect him long term.
Although more personalised, funerals were still formal for the most part, he said.
"I think it's important, as a sign of respect.''
Mrs Harborow said families now expected more from funerals.
"It's due to the advances in technology. People now want special music, slide shows.''
Technology meant people were organising funerals themselves, she said.
"I imagine you can buy caskets online these days. But often you need funeral directors for the dignity factor.''
The Harborows are now planning to travel to Britain, which was too difficult in their working days.
Their Alexandra home has a small 400-vine vineyard, which they hire someone to care for.
However, Mr Harborow said it was their job to frost fight in the middle of the night.‘‘I would have two pagers, one for the business and one for frosts.
"It would be about 50/50.''
There was some "tidying-up work'' to do before the end of the financial year and he was considering being a part-time funeral celebrant to fill his days.
Mrs Harborow said their dog Molly saw a lot more of them now.
"I think she wants us to go back to work so she can sleep.''
