Our dedicated and experienced staff are here for you when you need us
Trust our team to guide you through the funeral process every step of the way. We will talk you through all of the options available to you and ensure we tailor a service that suits the wishes of your family in terms of content and cost. We take pride in the service we provide to the Kapiti area to honour your loved one and attend to the spiritual needs of your family.
Sara Madders –
General manager
Sara grew up in a small town in Herefordshire, England and emigrated to New Zealand in 2011 where she spent the majority of that time living and working in Auckland.
Sara has a background in logistics and administration and has most recently worked in the agriculture sector. Sara comes from a long line of funeral directors in her family especially her Aunt who runs her own business back in the UK.
When not at work Sara loves the outdoors especially walking her little Jack Russell, Alfie, and competing in running events. She also enjoys travelling and has been lucky enough to visit many different countries.
She considers herself extremely fortunate to have been given this opportunity and feels that being able to serve the families of Waikanae and the wider Kāpiti Coast community is a huge privilege.
Our Dedicated Team
We are blessed to have a team of such dedicated, compassionate people.
Lloyd Dacombe
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Lloyd was raised in Nelson with two brothers and three sisters. He moved to the Kapiti Coast during his college years and now lives here with his wife. He has a daughter and a son who have both left home.
He enjoys music and tramping in the great outdoors with his dog and has conquered several of New Zealand’s great walks. He also owns a small sound equipment hire company.
Lloyd has previously worked in several industries including footwear manufacturing, forestry, office equipment repairs and as a whiteware service manager. These have equipped Lloyd with an ability to meeting people’s needs with solutions and have prepared him for the funeral industry and the challenges that families are faced with in time of need.
Caroline O’Hagan
Funeral Director
Originally from Mount Maunganui, Caroline has been based on the Kāpiti Coast since 2020 with her husband and their four (!) cats. Before returning to New Zealand to live in Wellington in 2017, she spent 20 years in Edinburgh, Scotland, working in HR and recruitment.
Caroline’s career has always been underpinned by a genuine interest in people from all walks of life. As a Funeral Director within the local community, she considers it both an honour and a privilege to meet families, hear the stories of their loved ones, and provide guidance and support when it is needed most.
Both of Caroline’s parents are from Shetland, the most northerly part of the UK — a place rich in Viking heritage, Scots-Norse history, and dramatic landscapes, known for its strong sense of community and quality of life. These same attributes make the Kāpiti Coast feel like home.
Outside of work, Caroline can be found trying to tame her jurassic garden, catering to the demands of four cats, watching a good British crime drama, and spending time with family and friends. If you see her around town, she’s always happy to say hello.
Peter Dacombe
Funeral Home Assistant
Peter has lived on the Kāpiti Coast his whole life, growing up in Raumati and now living in Waikanae with his wife and two young sons. He has always loved the area and being part of the local community.
After nearly eight years in retail, Peter moved into the funeral industry, following in his father’s footsteps and building on the understanding he gained growing up around the profession. Over the years, he has become a key support person for the funeral directors, helping with anything that is needed on the day-to-day side of the business. He takes pride in being reliable and adaptable, and in helping ensure everything runs smoothly so the directors can focus on supporting families.
Peter has a strong interest in technology and problem-solving and is often the go-to person for systems and technical support within the team. He enjoys using these skills to help the team work confidently and provide the best possible service to the families they serve.
Jocasta Oliver
Funeral Home and Admin Assistant
Jocasta, originally from Wellington, moved to the Kapiti Coast 16 years ago with her young family in search of a more relaxed lifestyle and a strong sense of community. It was one of the best decisions she made, and she is proud to call this beautiful area home.
She is married, and her three daughters are now grown and off pursuing their own paths. A devoted animal lover, her cats and dog are very much part of the family. In her spare time, Jocasta enjoys ceramics, which gives her the opportunity to slow down, be creative, and appreciate the value of care and craftsmanship.
Jocasta considers working in the funeral industry both a privilege and a responsibility. She feels honoured to support families during some of their most difficult moments.
Alfie
Alfie is our resident funeral home dog and will be ready to greet you with a wag of the tail when you come through the door. He can often be found soaking up the sun in reception or curled up in his bed in the office. Waikanae Funeral Home are proud to be dog friendly and encourage families to bring along their dogs to arrangements, viewings and even to services if that’s something that they think will be beneficial to them. We understand that dogs grieve too and like to feel part of proceedings. They also bring a great deal of comfort to their grieving families. Dogs will be made to feel welcome with a water bowl and some specially made doggie treats.