Our People
Bridget and Bevan Hoult
Funeral Director
(JP, Dip FS MNZEA)
Bridget Hoult (nee Day), alongside her husband Bevan, represents the fourth generation of the Day family entrusted with the stewardship of Days Funeral Services, succeeding her father Francis in this noble calling.
Bridget’s immersion in the funeral services industry began in her formative years, as she assisted her grandmother with catering and cleaning hearses while still in school. She takes great pride in the fact that their company was the first in New Zealand to introduce catering at funeral services and one of very early funeral homes to provide a bereavement support service to families. Following her schooling, Bridget ventured abroad, spending a decade teaching in England. However, her heart remained connected to her family’s legacy, and she returned to Nelson with renewed vigour and commitment to continue the tradition of compassionate care and dignified service. Bridget is both a qualified Embalmer and funeral director and was the first woman in Nelson to be awarded the National Diploma in Funeral Services.
Meanwhile, Bevan a Funeral Director with over two decades of experience, brings his expertise and compassionate approach to Waimea Richmond Funeral Services. He sees his role not merely as a job but as a calling, exemplified by his Diploma in Funeral Services and qualifications in embalming. Bevan’s dedication to serving grieving families with empathy and support is unwavering, reflecting his deep-rooted belief in the importance of honoring life’s milestones with dignity and respect.
Together, Bevan and Bridget embody a shared commitment to their community and profession. They find joy in spending time with their grown children and grandchildren, cherishing every precious moment together as a family.
Guided by their shared values of compassion, respect, and integrity, Bridget and Bevan are honoured and humbled to walk alongside families during their most difficult times, offering support and comfort when it is needed most.
In their hands, the legacy of compassionate funeral service continues, as they honour the past while embracing the future with hope and grace.
Marchella Persico
Funeral Director
After working as an Orthodontic Auxiliary for the past 15 years, Marchella decided it was time to look into the dream I had of becoming a funeral director.
Marchella started working for Days Funeral Services in 2021. She finds it very rewarding being able to care for the deceased and provide them with dignity and respect in their final journey and helping support the families in my care while they navigate through such difficult times.
Outside of work, she is raising 3 sons with her husband and enjoying family time, while fitting in study for the New Zealand Diploma in Funeral Directing and being secretary for the Nelson Italian Club.
Liz Dennis
Funeral Director
(Dip FD)
Born and raised in Gore, Southland, Liz had owned and operated her own funeral home in Gore for the last 11 years, she has now just relocated with her family to Nelson and joined the team at Marsden House.
Liz obtained her Funeral Directing Diploma in 2014.
I enjoy meeting people from all sides of life, often at a time when they are vulnerable and in need of guidance – it is a privilege to help and support families, and to develop a relationship with every family. Liz finds one of the most rewarding aspects of being a F.D is helping to facilitate families in saying goodbye to their loved ones and help them to create a meaningful farewell.
In her downtime Liz enjoys going to the gym, gardening, her mainecoon cats, spending time with family and taking one of their cars to the car shows with her husband.
Kirsten Lineham
Receptionist
After finishing her career with the BNZ where she had been for 17 years, Kirsten decided it was time for a change.
“Having grown up in Motueka with the Day family, I knew when I saw the position of Funeral Director advertised that it would be an opportunity to serve the community I knew well and work with a great team”
Kirsten started as a casual funeral assistant on services both in our Nelson and Golden Bay Motueka areas. During this time she also learnt and covered the office administration duties, so when the time came it was natural for her to step into this position full time.
Kirsten is also fast proving her graphic skills by designing wonderful service sheets and memorial books for the families we support.
Outside of work, Kirsten is Club Captain for the Nelson Speedway where her husband races in the Superstock class. They both have a keen interest in classic American cars and on weekends when not at the track can be found maintaining their extensively planted lifestyle property.
Brenda Skurr
Brenda was looking for a new challenge after working for Nelson Tasman Kindergartens for 14 and a half years. She saw the advertisement for an administrator at P Day & Son Ltd and pictured herself working as the administrator alongside funeral directors. After being an administrator primarily in community-based workplaces for 24 years, Brenda felt that even though funeral homes are not community workplaces, they are helping the community at a grassroots level.
“Working with Bevan and Bridget at the start of their journey with Days Funeral Services Ltd is a privilege, and with my accounts experience and ability to connect with families, I am really enjoying being part of a team that continues to help and assist families through an often-tough time in their lives.”
Brenda has recently purchased her first home and is enjoying the ability to plan and plant her own garden. She wishes for her garden to have mainly edibles and is becoming a passion to research and learn about different fruit trees and vegetables.
Francis Day
Consultant
(FBIE, Nat Dip FS)
Francis believes in bringing the highest standards of professionalism to his calling. He is mindful of the philosophy, values and tradition of serving Nelson, inherited by him down a continuous four-generation line. Francis aims to pass on those values and philosophy through his own family, with his wife Paddy, children Bridget and Patrick, who are all involved in the business – his youngest son Michael has a career in Accounting and Business Management. Francis qualified in 1966 in Australia as an embalmer and has since tutored for the embalming course for the Central Institute of Technology. He has served as president and examiner for the Embalmers Association and is a life member of that association. Francis is the long serving chairman of the Funeral Services Training Trust.
One of only four Nelsonians qualified with a NZQA Diploma in Funeral Service, and holds a Fellowship Degree of the British Institute of Embalmers, Francis strongly believes in providing a warm, professional and supportive atmosphere in which to farewell the deceased. He says funerals are for the living, where you pay your respects to the dead – remember them but also reaffirm your faith, creed or philosophy and give you assistance to cope with your loss.
