Our Team

Meet the caring people behind Simply Funerals—three generations of family working alongside an experienced and compassionate team.

Meet Our Hamilton Team

Our experienced Hamilton team is here to guide and support your family with genuine care, compassion and respect. From the first phone call through to the final farewell, you’ll be supported by people who understand how important every detail can be.

Carla Turner

Owner - Funeral Director, Embalmer

I’m Carla, the owner of Simply Funerals, as well as a funeral director and embalmer. As a mother of seven, family is at the heart of everything I do. I consider it a privilege to support families through loss and ensure they feel heard, cared for and reassured at every stage.

Phil Turner

Owner & Managing Director

I’m Phil, co-owner and Managing Director of Simply Funerals. I value the opportunity to guide families from all walks of life while respecting their cultural, spiritual and personal wishes. I have strong relationships with local kaumātua, tangata whenua and marae, and feel humbled to support whānau through such an important time.

Kylie Garlick

General Manager

I’m Kylie, General Manager at Simply Funerals, and I’ve proudly been part of the team for seven years. As a mother of four, I understand how important family is. I take pride in supporting our staff and helping ensure every family receives genuine care, guidance and respect throughout their time with us.

Lyric Vaetoe & Kebby

Te Awamutu Branch & Marketing Manager

I’m Lyric, the fifth of Carla and Phil’s seven children. I manage Simply Funerals social media and marketing while also overseeing our Te Awamutu funeral home. I’m enjoying learning every aspect of the family business and hope to continue the legacy Mum and Phil have built well into the future.

Alex Ahuriri

Funeral Director

I’m Alex, a funeral director who has been part of Simply Funerals for six years. As a father of two daughters, family is incredibly important to me. I have a strong understanding of many religious and cultural traditions, and I’m honoured that families often return and ask me to support them again.

Kena Waikai

Funeral Director

I’m Kena, a funeral director with a calm and thoughtful approach. I’m highly detail-oriented and take pride in making sure nothing important is overlooked. With a strong understanding of tikanga and cultural practices, I work respectfully with each whānau. Families appreciate my willingness to go the extra mile and support them however I can.

Tepura Trow

Funeral Director

I’m Te Pura, a kind-hearted and caring funeral director who understands how important the smallest details can be. I take the time to listen carefully and understand what each family needs. I’m always willing to go the extra mile to ensure every farewell feels personal, meaningful and true to the person being remembered.

Joel Smith

Funeral Director

I’m Joel, a funeral director with more than 20 years’ experience in the funeral profession. Having recently relocated from Taupō, I’m proud to have joined the Simply Funerals team. I bring a humble and caring approach to my work and am devoted to providing calm, compassionate guidance to every family entrusted to my care.

Tyrese Vaetoe

Administrator & Embalmer

I’m Tyrese, the youngest of Carla and Phil’s seven children. I began learning embalming at 15, which gave me an early understanding of the care and respect families deserve. Today, I work as an administrator and at front reception, where I enjoy being a welcoming first point of contact and helping families however I can.

Kaylan Turner

Embalmer

I’m Kaylan, the third of Carla and Phil’s seven children and the company’s embalmer. I completed my embalming training in Auckland and bring a careful, highly detailed approach to my work. It is deeply important to me that every loved one entrusted to my care is treated with dignity and respect, and presented as beautifully and naturally as possible for their family.

Gio Rojas

Crematorium Manager

I’m Gio, originally from Colombia and now very much enjoying life in New Zealand. As Crematorium Manager, I’m responsible for overseeing every cremation entrusted to our care. I understand the immense trust families place in us and approach this important responsibility with kindness, humility, accuracy and the utmost dignity and respect.

Meet our Tauranga Team

Our experienced Tauranga team is here to guide and support your family with genuine care, compassion and respect. From the first phone call through to the final farewell, you’ll be supported by people who understand how important every detail can be.

Gayle Melrose

Owner & Funeral Director

I’m Gayle, an owner, funeral director and proud grandmother within our family business. My life has included sailing yachts around the world, skippering a New Zealand women’s crew in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and coaching a New Zealand bowls team at the Commonwealth Games. Yet funeral directing has become my true passion—the most rewarding and humbling chapter of my life.

Carla Turner

Owner & Funeral Director

I’m Carla, the owner of Simply Funerals, as well as a funeral director and embalmer. As a mother of seven, family is at the heart of everything I do. I consider it a privilege to support families through loss and ensure they feel heard, cared for and reassured at every stage.

Paul Napier

Senior Funeral Director

I’m Paul, a Senior Funeral Director who joined Simply Funerals following a 35-year career in the New Zealand Army. I bring discipline, close attention to detail and a calm, reassuring presence to my work. I go above and beyond for every family, helping people feel at ease as they navigate some of the most difficult days of their lives.

Koben Turner

Funeral Director & Embalmer

I’m Koben, the fourth of Carla and Phil’s seven children. Based in Tauranga, I’m learning every aspect of the branch as I prepare to help carry our family business into the future. I enjoy supporting families through funeral directing as well as working in embalming. Both roles can be challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding.