Overview
Meet the team
We are a small team of six, including Jason Morrison and his wife Nicola Morrison, Eddie Allen, Debbie Clark, Callum McKinlay and Gaye Flewellyn.
As a team we work well together, with each person bringing a unique skill set to the business. Individually we constantly strive to be the best in our chosen field, with ongoing training and further skills being introduced, and encouraged whenever possible.
As a team our main philosophy is to provide a place of organised calm within a time of grief for our families, helping to make the period of loss, as stress free as possible.
Jason initially began working in the funeral industry for a large Auckland company in 1986. Through them, he learned the essential skills and tools of the trade, and developed a respect for the industry. He knew without doubt, after 5 years, that this was definitely the career for him, and so decided to set up in business for himself. So it was, that in 1991, he founded Jason Morrison Funeral Services. Initially Jason worked alone, but within a very short time, he needed to take on extra staff. So today we are a team of six. With Jason Nicola Eddie Debbie, Callum and Gaye.
Each one of us have unique strengths which we bring to the team. Read on to find out more about who we are, and what each person considers their strength to be.
Jason Morrison
I started my funeral career in 1986 on Auckland's North Shore, and after five years, decided the time had come to set up my own funeral home. Having lived in Warkworth for most of my life, I decided to open locally, on Whitaker Road, central to the Warkworth township.
I've seen many changes over the years, as the business has grown, particularly in the area of technology.
When I first began, funerals were mostly held in churches or in our chapel. However people's expectations and needs have changed over the years, and so now we take our mobile sound systems, video, recording and whatever else our families want to a huge range of locations; beaches, local parks, halls, clubs, wineries and even to people's own homes. The constant need to change and adapt, has meant that this profession, has never felt like work to me. I enjoy working with a team of people I can trust and serving a community of people who are now long time friends, of mine, my wife's and our children.
Aside from work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially tripping around the country with my wife in our bus, and when home, relaxing with friends over a meal. Our work life keeps us both very much focussed on our local community, and means that we have developed many deep relationships which brings us great satisfaction.
Eddie Allen
Eddie grew up in Hamilton, has lived in Napier, Auckland and Zambia over the years, and now lives in Whangaparaoa.
With experience gained through the building industry, teaching profession, and missionary work he gained a passion for people and was drawn to the funeral service in 2004 on his return from Zambia.
He has a National Diploma in Embalming and Funeral Directing, and is passionate about helping people as they begin their journey of grief, both as individuals and as families, as they face the death of somebody dear to them.
He has been married to the beautiful Anne, for over 40 years. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. His leisure interests revolve around family, church involvement, motorcycling, caravanning and armchair sport. All of the homes they have owned have been projects to ‘make over,’ and now his children are calling on his building skills. He has played a lot of casual sport in the past and did manage to complete the Orewa Half Marathon a year or two back as well.
Nicola Morrison
After going to the funeral of a friend's mother in 1994 which was honest and 'real', I was inspired to become a celebrant myself.
Since then I have gained my qualification as a celebrant, won awards for public speaking, studied for certificates in grief work and NLP and have taken many funerals and weddings. I am passionate about my role as a celebrant, as I get to tell the stories of so many interesting 'ordinary' people.... and although sometimes those stories can be heart breaking, the positive feedback I receive really helps me to keep going through some of the tougher stories.
Before working in this industry I worked mainly in the corporate world, and though interesting, it was impersonal and set goals I just couldn't get passionate about. This role, as celebrant and funeral director changes every day, brings me face to face with incredible people, people who keep me real, and gives me an opportunity to use my story telling skills in a way that makes a positive difference.
Once home I love spending time with my beautiful husband, our gorgeous children and four grandchildren Sophie, Eli, Kaidyn and Ayla. In my spare time I paint and write, create villages out of ‘found’ objects, and love to walk our two dogs Biscuit and Frankie, who are full of energy and mischief. I'm currently working on a fictional story book based on one woman’s journey through grief.... Although with a busy household and working full time, 'spare' time is extremely rare!
Debbie Clark
After spending many years holidaying at Kawau Island, Debbie, her lovely husband Rob and two gorgeous girls moved to Algies Bay. They love the community feel that this amazing area has and still feel so fortunate to be part of it.
Debbie has a genuine heart for working with people, both colleagues (in many ways she is our “Camp Mother”) and the families we have the privilege of being involved with. She will more than often be the first person you speak with on the phone and is also responsible for the accounts, helping with funerals when required and various other administrative tasks. She has a wealth of experience in the monumental industry and is on hand to help design and create a fitting headstone tribute for your loved ones. Previously she has been on the School Board of Trustees, coached/managed her daughters’ sports teams as well as other community activities.
Debbie loves looking after her family and extended family, enjoys walking the beach, watching sport and great movies. Her home is full of animals (all rescues of some sort) and is always open to family and friends. In fact there is nothing she enjoys more than a glass of wine, quality time and lots of laughs with the special people in her world.
Callum McKinlay
Callum has lived in cities like Dunedin, Palmerston North, Auckland and Taichung (Taiwan where he learned Chinese), but he grew up in the country town of Gore. For the last few years, Fe, his wonderful wife of around 40 years, and he have really enjoyed living in the Warkworth area and in particular near the beach at Snells. It’s a friendly, picturesque place for their three adult children (plus partners) and four grandchildren to visit.
His background in science, food, teaching, pastoring and quality assurance blended well to prepare him for funeral directing and embalming. He continues to enjoy this career as he gets to meet and assist so many amazing people.
When he’s not busy helping families and work, he enjoys walking by the beach, watching movies, or working out and competing in CrossFit.
Gaye Flewellyn
Gaye grew up locally in Pakiri and now lives in Warkworth with her husband Devan. Their children live nearby so their place is always a hub of family activity.
Gaye has and still continues to contribute so much to our community. She was in the Ambulance Service for 21 years and during this time received a medal for the Membership of The Order of St John sanctioned by the Queen. The last fourteen years Gaye has been a volunteer Senior Fire Fighter and Driver in our Warkworth Fire Brigade.
Losing both her parents, combined with her experiences within the Ambulance and Fire & Emergency, Gaye realised she felt a need to offer greater support to people working through the steps and funeral processes after the death of a loved one. Her ability to understand, help and communicate when people are going through a difficult time as well as her natural kindness and empathy make her a perfect fit for our team and the families in our community.