Meet our caring team of Funeral Directors
We live in the community we serve
With a heartfelt dedication to delivering a personalised and caring experience, our team brings a wealth of expertise to ensure your wishes are carried out to the full.
We actively engage with the communities we serve, and your unique needs are at the forefront of everything we do.
Leanne joined Forrest Funeral Services in 2011 and has been involved in the funeral industry for more than 20 years. She’s a registered Funeral Director, having graduated in 2014 after completing the National Diploma of Funeral Directing. She’s passionate about her work, and committed to helping the families she works with. She considers it a privilege to assist at such a vulnerable and emotional time.
Leanne lives in Gulf Harbour and is a member of many local organisations: Whangaparaoa Rotary Club, Orewa Lions, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Destination Orewa, Whangaparaoa Business, and the Harbour Hospice Hibiscus Fundraising Committee.
She loves the Hibiscus Coast lifestyle, walking the local beaches and boating.
Bob has been a Funeral Director for 45 years and is fully conversant with all aspects of the funeral profession. Bob is pleased to be now working with the Forrest team and continuing to care for bereaved families. Bob is married to Pat and they both enjoy spending time with family, especially their six year old grandson. Bob and Pat have lived in Orewa for over 10 years and throughout that time have been serving the coast. Bob has strong Scottish heritage and loves anything Scottish! Bob is an avid armchair follower of most sports but especially rugby and cricket.
Jeanette’s had numerous roles in the workforce, from banker to postie, with her most recent position being at North Shore Memorial Park at Schnapper Rock. It was while working at the Cemetery and Crematorium that Jeanette realised she wanted to offer greater support to bereaved families. She joined the Forrests team in 2016 and completed the National Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2018.
Jeanette has lived on the Hibiscus Coast with her husband for over 29 years while raising her two daughters, who are now young adults. She very much enjoys being part of the Hibiscus Coast community, and being a Coastie working with and for other Coasties.
Angela’s career with Forrests started in 2021 as a Funeral Director, after 37 years in the trust industry where she assisted families with their loved ones’ estates. With 20 of those years spent working in the Orewa community, a move into the local funeral industry came as a natural step for her. She feels that she has found her true calling by guiding and supporting families with their funeral arrangements. Angela believes everyone deserves a fitting farewell, in whatever form feels right for them.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys walking and running; connecting with her three sons; venturing to new and exciting places with her partner; and spending quality time with her extended family and friends.
Samuel’s journey to joining Forrests in 2023 has been an interesting one, with great experience gathered on the way. He joined St John Ambulance Service as a volunteer in 2003, and after a couple of years he worked as a flight attendant, where he provided exceptional service internationally from economy to first class. After many years of flying, Samuel returned to the ambulance service as a paid member to ensure he could be with his son. Samuel decided he wanted a meaningful career and found that being a funeral director suited him perfectly.
Gaurav’s interest in being an undertaker developed when he volunteered at the funeral home where his brother was working in South Auckland. He was studying filmmaking at the time, having been a theatre artist and filmmaker in New Delhi. The funeral home role proved to be a turning point for Gaurav’s career, as his empathy and passion to support bereaved families intensified. So in 2016, he decided to dedicate himself to the funeral industry.
Gaurav is multilingual and speaks English, Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi. Outside of work, he enjoys music, movies, family, friends, and football.
Our staff are all community-minded individuals who do the best they can to honour the families wishes of those they serve.
Contact our caring team for help
Forrest Funeral Services in Auckland is here for you when you need us. Whether you have an urgent funeral to arrange, or would like to discuss how to pre-plan a funeral.
North Shore Auckland
Ph 09 479 5956
Hibiscus Coast
Ph 09 426 7950
