Peter Raymond Thistleton

Out of the vast array of funeral director options, I chose Academy Funerals because they are truly family owned and independent, and I dealt directly with Ashley the owner. Ashley made the whole process of memorialising my mother pleasant and easy, at a time that I felt overwhelmed and stretched. I would highly recommend anyone seeking to arrange a memorial to speak with Academy Funerals.

Thank you Academy Funerals for the wonderful services you provided for my sister. From collecting her body, saying goodbye to her and arranging her cremation, your service was of the highest calibre. Thank you for your personalised service and sensitivity at this difficult time.You made the whole process so much easier for us. When my time comes, please do my cremation.I have no hesitation in recommending your services to any family requiring your attention.With sincere thanks, Suzanne Barnett.My beautiful sister and myself.

As is always the case with funerals, this was truly our hour of need and with not much experience we really needed guidance. We were so fortunate to have been referred to Robin Drury at Academy Funerals and from the word go, his experience and compassion really got us through. Nothing was too much trouble and Robin helped us so much with his words of wisdom and step by step approach. I can't speak highly enough of Academy funerals and will recommend them every time I'm asked. Thankyou Robin for everything you did for our family.

We couldn't be more pleased with the assistance we received from Robin and Acadamy Funerals during what is naturally a very difficult time. Robin was very caring in the way he dealt with our late father, and made the whole process very easy for us, seamlessly taking care of all the details and administrative requirements. Nothing was too hard for Robin, and he even went above and beyond to collect the royal naval uniform that dad was to wear from my house.I have zero hesitation in recommending Acadamy Funerals to assist you when you have lost a loved one.

I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by Ashley Bergh, the managing director of Academy Funerals. From our very first consultation two years ago, Ashley demonstrated a level of compassion and endearment that truly set him apart. He took the time to thoroughly explain the process, listened attentively to our requests, and offered thoughtful suggestions, allowing us to make informed decisions with confidence.When I recently reached out to Ashley with the news of my father's passing, his empathy and compassionate guidance were a source of great comfort. He promptly arranged for my father to be collected from the nursing home and assisted with all aspects of organising the funeral.Ashley demonstrated exceptional support regarding our cultural and specific funeral requests, attentively ensuring everything was managed with the highest respect and care. On the day of the service, Ashley and his assistant, Robin were both welcoming and supportive. The music was played exactly as we had requested, contributing to a service that was smooth, peaceful, and comforting.Academy Funerals is a local business that offers excellent communication and correspondence without being overpriced. I am grateful for their support during such a difficult time and highly recommend their services to anyone in need of compassionate and professional funeral services.

Thank you Academy Funerals for the help with the cremation of our dear family member on 19/2/2025.We received a completely stress free,100% service from you at a very reasonable price.Peter Dunne.

Academy Funerals gave me and my family the most thoughtful, gentle & thorough walk through the challenging process of putting my Dad to rest. The care that went into making sure everything was perfect was outstanding. Robin checked in with us nearly every day, not just on a business level but on an emotional level as well. I can’t rate this business high enough, thankyou guys for making my Dad’s funeral the best send off I could’ve asked for.

During such a surreal and difficult time of our Dads sudden passing. We reached out to a few funeral companies. We went with Academy Funerals, they were compassionate, understanding. A family business that took the time to listen and guide us every step of the way. Suggested venues & arranged a viewing at a venue. They were efficient to collect Dad, updating us every step of the process. Took beautiful care of him, for us. Robin went above and beyond with assisting us. We are incredibly grateful for your care, patience, guidance and making such a difficult day such a wonderful celebration that showcased our Father so beautifully. We had friends and family at the wake commenting on how fabulous it was and a few saying how they would like their funeral like that. So personable. Thank you so much Academy Funerals!

Great experience. I was able to arrange everything over the phone & Ashley walked me through the process & arranged everything. Everything was done as promised with minimal fuss & stress.

Amazing and caring service! I have engaged Academy Funerals to assist with the funerals of both my Parents and each time they have provided a steady hand to guide me through the process, most recently I had to contact them on a public holiday in the evening and they were available and able to provide advice and wonderful customer service, cannot recommend their service more highly.

Academy Funerals are truly amazing, and I’m so grateful I found them! I was completely lost when planning my grandfather’s funeral, but Ashley was there to guide me every step of the way. He ensured my grandfather received the utmost care and handled everything with such kindness and compassion. Ashley is such a gentle soul, and I highly recommend their services. If I could give more than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat!

Totally dedicated to what they do, respecting the deceased and caring for us left behind. I trusted them to care for my daughter who passed and I would do it again in a heart beat.

On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank Ashley and all of the Academy Funeral staff for their kindness and compassion with recently organising my father's funeral arrangements until his final day. Everything in preparation was perfectly planned and we cannot thank you all enough. I would definitely highly recommend Academy Funerals.

Academy Funerals - Ashley Bergh provided special and warm attention to our family at a most difficult time. From the moment we made contact which was a Sunday and through a seamless process with great support and customer care to every detail. Our beloved sister was handled with dignity and kindness and after her cremation was completed and she was collected for her journey to New Zealand Ashley provided relevant information to support us. We sincerely appreciate and thank you for being part of our family in our moment of need. Your kindness and service is truly appreciated and we highly recommend Academy/Polynesian Funerals.

Academy Funerals went above & beyond in assisting me compassionately & professionally at a personally emotional & challenging time in facing the loss & cremation of a close family member. I would highly recommend Ashley Berg & his personable small team of very experienced & knowledgeable professionals in assisting anyone from all walks of life needing to fulfil end of life arrangements & procedures. A big sincere & heartfelt thank you to Ashley & The Academy Funerals Team for their assistance & support 💗

During one of the most difficult times in our lives, Academy Funerals provided exceptional care and support. From the moment we contacted them, they were kind, understanding, and genuinely compassionate. They took the time to listen to our needs and wishes, guiding us through every step with patience and professionalism.They were incredibly attentive, ensuring that all of our requests were honored, and they went above and beyond to make sure that every detail was perfect. Their personal touch and sincere empathy made a challenging time a little easier for us to bear.We are deeply grateful to Ashley and Robin for their outstanding service and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of a funeral home that truly cares about the families they serve.Thank you for being there for us when we needed it most.

I used Academy funerals when my father passed in 2022. Based on this experience I again used Academy funerals for the viewing and service for my brother. Ashley was very efficient, professional and compassionate. The viewing and intimate service was serene and personal, allowing our family and friends to come together to remember my brother. I highly recommend Academy funerals.

I highly recommend Academy Funerals. I could not have received a better service or support from Ashleigh and Robin. As a small family business they retain the utmost care and compassion. Nothing was too much trouble as I tried to plan a fitting end of life celebration for my mum recently. They were so accomodating and willing to personalise to my wishes, never once tried to oversell and were always available. The celebrant Robyn not only went above and beyond and the time he gave and the conversations we had truly assisted me in my grief in a way I cannot put into words. Thank you.

Thank you to Ashley, Robin and your team for your handling of my wife's funeral recently.From the moment we first met you and your advice before we even engaged your services was most welcome. We all knew we made the right choice upon that first meeting with you as there was no pressure put upon us compared to a couple of other funeral directors we had seen that same day. When we came to see you again the following day, you talked us through the whole process step by step, giving us more much needed advice and making everything that much easier for us. The care and compassion you showed for our loved one throughout was very much appreciated.Thank you for taking care of my wife whilst she was in your care and for arranging a viewing just a day before the funeral. I am glad we got to see her that final time so I could write her a personal note and to leave her some photographs of the family.I have no hesitation in recommending the services of your family owned company, Academy funerals.

AMAZING SERVICE. INCORPORATED A NORMAL SERVICE WITH A POPPY SERVICE WITH LAST POST. ASHLEY AND HIS TEAM HE PICKED WERE VERY CARING AND ALWAYS VERY QUICK TO HAVE THINGS ORGANISED. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND YOU GUYS I COULDNT BE MORE THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID. HIGHLY RECCOMMEND

They all did a great job everything worked out good and a good price as well

Ashley and the team at Academy Funerals have helped our family now twice in the past 12 months. We wanted private cremations and simple Memorial Services that we could conduct ourselves. Ashley guided us through the process each time, so we were able to have dignified yet affordable services, without all the excesses and hidden costs of so many larger funeral businesses. Academy Funerals are a beacon of hope where you can find a small caring and compassionate family company that will help you do things as you want, in a way that suits your family, and ensure the farewell to your loved one will be dignified and affordable.

I found Ashley and Robin extremely helpful and very professional in every step in this hard time. They both understand the stress and heartache you are going through. They looked after mum and presented her so well.It was also good to be able to support a local Australian company and not one of the big American ones that wanted to charge us double what Academy Funerals charged for the same service.Thank you team Brian

We were so happy with the care and service we received from Ashley and Academy Funerals. The viewing room was beautifully presented and peaceful, and perfect for seeing our loved one the way we had wished. Ashley was caring and a true gentleman whilst assisting me in dressing my father, and we really appreciated the sensitivity and professionalism from all aspects of our experience. Thank you!

Look no further. Highly commendable all round.When looking for a company that could carry out my Grandads service I had no-idea what I was looking for or where to start. With no prior funeral plans or arrangements, I was left with no other option but to google search ‘lawnton undertaker’ at my Grandad’s wish. I wished him to be close to his home of 50 years. It was meant to be.I was blessed to work alongside Robin who I cannot thank enough. No better fit. The level of calibre and devotion Robin displays in the particular choice of profession is rather exceeding.In the time my Grandad was in the care of Academy, I was able to process through my grievance by being able to spend time with my Grandad. Time/s, no limit. These moments to me were the ones I’ll cherish the most, so personal, so meaningful and I truly believe if any other funeral home I would not have received the care, compassion, kind, and empathetic people I would have in those heartbreaking moments of my life.From the very moment I had to make one of the hardest phone calls of my life, Robin understood where I was at, the vision I had, and together, with so many tiny little aspects, people and layers we all ended up creating the most wonderful celebration of my Grandad’s life.What a blessing for your service, Academy Funerals!Thank-you again, for helping me peacefully lay my Grandad to rest, the way he deserved. Forever grateful to have found your business in those times of need.

Academy funerals were wonderful. Couldn't fault them on anything and felt truly supported through the whole process.

Was beautiful and a very peaceful.

Such care and dignity given to our grandma thank you so very much

They made this process very easy for our family, went above and beyond to accommodate our schedules and you'll be hard pressed to find better service and the pricing won't leave you bankrupt.

We truly can’t thank Ashley and Robin enough for helping us navigate through the most difficult time of our father’s death.They were so incredibly professional, and so compassionate throughout. When I first made contact with Academy Funerals, I had absolutely no idea on what we were even looking for in a funeral, but Ashley answered every single one of my questions with grace and knowledge.Unfortunately, mum wasn’t in the country when dad died, but Academy Funerals was able to provide us with ample time for viewing him at no extra cost which gave mum so much peace of mind.Ashley hired the most perfect celebrant for dad, Peter McCarthy, and together, they were able to provide us with the absolute perfect sendoff that I am sure dad would have loved. Thank you for what you did for our family.

I cannot recommend the team at Academy Funerals highly enough. Ashley, Norma and Robin were extremely professional and compassionate. Every detail was explained and managed perfectly by them and they made navigating the difficult process seem straightforward. Dealing with a smaller independent funeral company and a team with their breadth of experience was a breath of fresh air in an industry where large corporations seem to dominate. My mother's send off was truly beautiful. Thank you so much!

Thank you Ashley and Robyn. Your service was caring, respectful and professional. You were able to support our family to honour our mother as she would have liked. In addition, you accommodated all our wishes within an extremely short timeframe.

A Beacon of Compassion and Excellence: My Experience with Academy FuneralsIn the darkest moments of my life, following the devastating loss of my husband, Roger, Academy Funerals, under the compassionate leadership of Ashley, emerged as a beacon of light and solace. The death of a loved one is an unbearable ordeal, but Ashley's empathetic approach and dedication significantly alleviated the burden of grief and the complexities of funeral planning.From our very first interaction, Ashley's caring and compassionate nature was evident. Understanding the depth of my distress, he took the extraordinary step of visiting my home, sparing me the difficulty of navigating this process in an unfamiliar environment. This gesture of kindness was the first of many that set Academy Funerals apart.Ashley's expertise and guidance were invaluable as he meticulously explained every necessary step, ensuring nothing was overlooked. He listened attentively, respecting my wishes to honour Roger's memory in a manner befitting the incredible person he was. His commitment to fulfilling my requests, no matter how challenging, was unwavering.One of the most poignant aspects of this journey was securing a grave site next to Roger's best friend, a testament to Ashley's determination and sensitivity. In a situation where hope seemed scarce, Ashley achieved what felt impossible, providing immense comfort in the knowledge that Roger would not be 'alone'.The delay in proceedings due to a Coronial Inquest could have compounded the grief, but Ashley's reassurance and constant availability were a source of strength. He ensured that, despite the wait, we could still have a viewing, allowing us to say goodbye in a manner that felt right.The care Ashley and his team showed during the dressing and the funeral service itself was nothing short of remarkable. Their guidance through the process was gentle, respectful, and deeply appreciated, making an indescribably painful moment bearable.Their flexibility and understanding extended to accommodating a global audience through live streaming, ensuring that all who loved Roger could partake in his final journey. The use of their equipment for the graveside service further exemplified their dedication to going above and beyond for the families they serve.In reflecting on this experience, it is clear that Academy Funerals, led by Ashley and supported by Robin and the entire team, stand as exemplars of genuine care, professionalism, and compassion. They navigated us through this heartrending time with grace and respect, for which my family and I are eternally grateful.Choosing Academy Funerals was the best decision I could have made during such a critical time. Their unwavering support and kindness have left an indelible mark on our hearts. Should the need ever arise again, my trust and confidence in their services are absolute; Ashley will be the first and only call I make. Their exceptional care has not only honoured Roger's memory but has also provided comfort and closure to all who loved him.Sherry Burke

I can’t thank Academy Funerals enough for their support with my grandfathers funeral. From my very first enquiry Robin was caring, compassionate, responsive and helpful. He made what would otherwise have been an overwhelming process very smooth. Robin listened to what we wanted and, step by step, helped piece it together. From recommending the perfect celebrant, to the personal touches that he suggested just by listening to us talk, as well as moving us easily through all of the administrative necessities that are not top of mind for families but just have to be done. Thank you Robin.

Our family and friends are overjoyed with the professionalism Ashley and his team at Academy Funerals has done for us during my mums recent passing. Their hospitality in ensuring we were always welcome and supported, and the fact that they had mum in their care for over a week, ensured we felt at peace that mum was looked after and respected.I highly recommend using Academy Funerals over the big funeral companies as we were treated like family, which meant a lot to us.Thank you, Academy Funerals, we will be recommending you to others who want a real family feel funeral.

Ashley and Robin from Academy Funerals were both professional and caring. They worked tirelessly and around the clock in order to prepare and organise my grandmothers funeral service just a week out from Christmas. Thank you both.

We cannot thank Ashley and Academy Funerals enough in helping us navigate the arrangement of the funeral for my beloved husband and a cherished father. He passed away in a very quick timeframe and during the Christmas period Ashley was there for us at every stage for guidance, comfort and suggestions for incorporating respect and acknowledgment of my husband’s Maori heritage. We were guided with compassion and experience through our private viewing and dressing of our beloveds body. Ashley gave us the perfect service to celebrate the life of the man we lost too soon.

The passing of our father is a difficult time, while also having to navigate the funeral process. We were introduced to Robin and Academy Funerals by our aunt who had referred them to other family and friends. They were all very pleased with the service they received. Robin was so understanding, accessible and most helpful throughout the whole funeral process. A huge thank you to Robin and would definitely recommend Academy Funerals.

Ashley is amazing. He was so accommodating and made Michael's funeral everything he would of wanted. I can not recommend them enough

I would like to thank Ashley and Robin for their exceptional service and help through this difficult time, they were available at almost all hours to help me, from funeral arrangements to technical issues, they were both amazing, I could not rate them higher. I would recommend Academy funerals to anyone who wishes for a respectful and well run funeral through the most difficult time of a persons life. Thank you.

At a time of great distress and emotional turmoil following the passing of a close friend, I was at a loss to know where to turn in order to make arrangements for his farewell. A friend recommended Academy Funerals and I was blessed to meet Ashley who steered me through the formalities and who provided emotional support. A sincere and caring soul. I was so impressed that i arranged my own Funeral arrangements with his help. God bless you and i'm eternally grateful to you Ashley

Unfortunately, we have had the pleasure of working with Ashley, and Academy funerals, farewelling 3 family members that have passed within the last two years.I have dealt with the big funeral companies and absolutely nothing compares to the personal touch that Ashley has provided, going that extra mile, being available 24/7, (yes, we did have to call after hours a couple of times) coming to our home as soon as possible after our initial call, to set our minds at ease, while he professionally navigated us through all the things involved with dealing with the death of a loved one, when our grief was so raw.Hopefully we won't have to farewell anyone else too soon, but at least , now we know who to call.Thank you, Monique Lawton.

Ashley was so professional and supportive at a time that was really hard for our family. He made the process much easier to navigate so that we could focus on the important things. Thank you Ashley for taking care of everything!

I would like to Thank Ashley, Family & Staff, For Helping make Mum's Celebration of Life, Meaningful, With the Love & Compassion Mum Deserved, I Can't Recommended Academy Funeral's Enough, I will Always Remember the Kindness that was shown By Them In Our Time Of Need. Thank You Academy Funerals.

Ashley and Katrina looked after my father in law in his sudden passing. With so much to sort out, they were an absolute godsend. I highly recommend them in such a sad time. Couldn’t ask for a more helpful couple to guide us through this time. Thanks.

I can not thank you enough for all the help and support. I have used this company personally and professionally and highly recommend them. They went out of there way to try and make the process easier. Despite being stuffed around on a few occcassion I never once heard them complain. They support and compassion I felt when I called distressed was amazing and I am so grateful 🙏 thank you again.

Thank you so much to Ashley and the team at Academy Funerals for all their help after the passing my father. I've never had to arrange a funeral before and Ashley helped me through the process, at all times showing compassion and kindness. Everything was done exactly how we asked and it was a perfect send off. Ashley and Robin made sure everything was dignified and handled in a way that eased my stress on the day and allowed me to focus on saying goodbye. I will always be grateful for the care and respect I was shown throughout the whole process, it made a difficult time a little easier to handle. Thank you.