Our Story
For more than a century, Lamb & Hayward has helped Canterbury families honour the lives of people they love. Our story is one of generations of trust, deep community roots, and a belief that every life deserves to be remembered with care.
From our earliest days to the way we work now, that belief continues to shape the people we employ, the places we create, and the care we give.
Lamb & Hayward was established in 1923, when William Lamb â an experienced funeral director â joined William Hayward and William Boon in a partnership that would go on to serve generations of Canterbury families.Â
The three Williams brought different backgrounds and skills, united by a commitment to caring for their community.
The original premises at 292 Cashel Street were modest: a small shopfront, a mortuary, and a garage. By 1936, these had been replaced by a two-storey building, complete with a chapel and floral area.Â
As the business grew, so did the need for more space. In 1971, Lamb & Hayward moved to a new site beside Bryndwr Lake on Wairakei Road â where our Westpark venue remains at the heart of the business today.Â
Where It All Started
The Three Williams
More than a century on, Lamb & Hayward is still locally owned and operated. Not part of a national chain. Not owned by an overseas group. Canterbury through and through.
Canterburyâs own for over a 100 years
Because Life Is Important
We believe a funeral is one of life’s most important gatherings. Not out of obligation or tradition, but because it gives people the chance to acknowledge and celebrate a life â to come together with others who loved that person, share stories, and remember what made them who they were.
Because life is important. And that’s not something we say lightly.
In fact, it’s the very reason Lamb & Hayward exists. Whether it’s a quiet goodbye or a gathering of hundreds, the care we give never changes.
The Lamb & Hayward Difference
Our Own Crematorium. We manage cremations at Christchurch Crematorium in Wigram, which we operate ourselves. This means direct accountability for every family in our care, without third-party handovers.
Experience That Runs Deep. Many of our funeral directors have been with Lamb & Hayward for years. Some for decades. When you call us, you’re speaking to someone who understands and cares about this community. We also invest in extensive in-house training and support our team with national qualifications, because care takes knowledge and skill as well as compassion.
Venues Built for This. Westpark, Oaklands, and Wai-mana are purpose-designed places for families to gather. With welcoming lounges, peaceful gardens, and spaces that can accommodate different kinds of farewell, each offers something distinctive. And if you’d prefer a location with a more personal connection, we can help you explore that too.
Available Every Hour of Every Day. There’s never a convenient time to lose someone you love. We’re here 24/7, and every call is answered by a member of our own Lamb & Hayward team.
Lamb & Hayward Difference
Our Commitment to Quality
Choosing a funeral director is an important decision, often made at a difficult and emotional time. We believe families deserve to know exactly how their loved one will be cared for, who will be supporting them, and what to expect along the way.
Our commitment begins with the care we give the person who has died â always with dignity, respect, and attention to every detail, including those families may never see. It continues in the way we listen, answer questions, explain choices, and give people the time they need.
We provide clear, written quotes for every funeral, with clarity on costs at every turn. Our aim is simple: to do what we say we’ll do, and to give every family confidence in the care they’re receiving.
Our Connection to This Community
Canterbury is more than somewhere we work. It’s our home. Our people live here, raise families here, and are part of the communities we serve. We know that caring for local families comes with a responsibility that extends beyond the funerals we arrange.
That’s reflected in the community initiatives we support, including Ĺtukaikino, a living memorial and wetland restoration project in Ĺtautahi Christchurch. It’s a place of reflection, ecological restoration, and community memory, where the way we honour people we’ve lost contributes to the kind of place we want to live.
So when we talk about Christchurch and Canterbury â we are talking about our home, not a market.Â
Meet the People Behind the Business
Behind every arrangement at Lamb & Hayward is a team of people who have chosen this work deliberately.Â
It isn’t always easy work, but it’s important work.Â
Our funeral directors take the time to listen, get to know the person being remembered, and understand what each family needs.
Many have spent years, even decades, caring for Canterbury families. Their experience, compassion, and professional knowledge help ensure that families feel supported and informed â which is paramount during periods of heightened emotion.
We'd Love to Meet You Before You Need Us
Many families find it helpful to visit, meet someone from the team, see our venues, and ask the questions that have been sitting in the back of their minds. There’s no pressure and no obligation.
