People you can depend on to go the extra mile

At Elliotts, our funeral directors are very much part of the community and are passionate about providing a professional and caring service.

To find out more about the extra care our team offers, please phone Elliotts Funeral Services in Tauranga on (07) 578 3338.

Neil Gedge
Manager, Neil Gedge moved with his wife Lyn to Tauranga in 1986 when he purchased Elliotts Funeral Services. Neil is an outdoors person who loves fishing, hunting, cycling and all water sports, as well as gardening and “working the land” in his five-acre avocado orchard. He gains a great deal of satisfaction from being a funeral director, meeting new people and supporting them through difficult times.
Bruce Wills - Funeral Director
Born and raised in Te Puke, Bruce is married to Bev, with children ranging from 17 to 35 years. Bruce developed an interest in funeral directing during his five years as an industrial chaplain. Bruce holds a National Certificate in Funeral Directing and regards his work as the most satisfying and rewarding he has ever done. His sporting interests include weightlifting and rowing.
Warwick Francis - Funeral Director
Warwick has lived in the Tauranga area for over 30 years. Together with his wife Rina they share their home with three Burmese cats. In his spare time Warwick is a member of the Omokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade. With two adult children having long left the nest, Warwick and Rina spend their time "together with friends" enjoying their garden and their home. In 2008 Warwick achieved a National Certificate in Funeral Directing.
Kylie Sprague – Funeral Director
Kylie was born in Tauranga. After leaving school, Kylie worked in car sales and completed a course in basic trade mechanics. She has worked for Elliotts since 1995 and now works as both a funeral director and embalmer. She and husband Grant have three daughters, India, Molly and Ebony. Her interests include gardening, baking and spending time with the children.
Marg Crockett - Administration
Marg was born in Wellington. She married her husband Dave in 1968, and moved to Tauranga in 1979. They have four adult children and five grandchildren. Marg has worked in the funeral industry since 1986 and has been with Elliotts since 1993. Marg's interest include music gardening, baking/cooking, cross-stitch, indoor bowls and socialising with people.
Lyn Gedge - Administration
Born in Hamilton, Lyn moved with husband Neil to Tauranga in 1986 when they purchased Elliotts. She has been involved with the firm since that time in the role of office administration. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and cooking and extending her knowledge and social skills by attending cooking schools.
Susan Whatmough - Administration
Susan was born in the West Midlands, England and emigrated to New Zealand with her family at the age of nine. After leaving school, she spent many years in the newspaper industry both in Australia and New Zealand, joining Elliotts in 2007. Susan lives with her husband, Alec, on a lifestyle block which they share with two dogs, a cat, chickens and sheep. Susan can be found outdoors when not at work.
Nikki Roberts - Embalmer
Originally from Nelson, Nikki spent most of her life growing up in Saudi Arabia. After working in the health industry in Saudi, Nikki came to New Zealand and in 2005 joined Elliotts, where she is now an embalmer and mortuary manager. Nikki is a qualified embalmer and a member of the New Zealand Embalmers Association. Her interests include photography, arts and crafts and spending time with family.
Paul Dobson – Embalmer
Paul moved to Tauranga in 2006 from Rotorua where he grew up. Paul has more recently joined the Elliotts team and is currently studying for his National Certificate in Embalming. After racing competitively for five years on his mountain bike Paul now enjoys getting out on his bike for fitness and also has fun skateboarding.
Dave Orrell - Part time Embalmer
Dave was born in Hamilton and has lived in Tauranga since the age of two. He completed most of his schooling at Dilworth College, Auckland, and then returned to Tauranga to complete a building apprenticeship. Dave is a building consultant and the father of two sons, Scott and Josh. Dave's interests include all water sports and art.