Established in 1875, C. Little and Sons Ltd’s Funeral Directors have been providing Auckland families with caring Funeral Director services for over 140 years. We are a 3rd generation family business and are passionate about ensuring that families have peace of mind through what is a very stressful time.

C. Little and Sons Ltd. can help you with all aspects of funeral planning including music, floral tributes, casket choice, service sheets, memorial books, clergy, celebrants, funeral hearses and more.

You can trust the Funeral Directors at Little’s to listen carefully to you to accurately ascertain your needs and wishes.

Our History:

Cornelius Little Retired.  Founder and director of the firm C. Little & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors and Embalmers, 209 Hobson Street, Auckland N.Z. First President of the St Vincent De Paul Society, Auckland. March 1907 And President of Particular Council 1908.  District President of Hibernian Society of N.Z. 1904.  President of Sailors Home 1921.  Member of Council  Prisoners Aid Society 1910.  Member and Secretary, Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade  for 16 years. Appointed by the Patriotic Committee to assist in the distribution of relief funds during the Great War.  Awarded by His Majesty’s War Office The Long Efficiency Medal  (Of which very few are in existence) in 1896 and the V D Medal in 1905.

Born Otahuhu (Near Auckland) N.Z.  24th February 1852.   Son of Cornelius, who served in The Indian Army 1799-1828 and Of Ann (Nee Finn) Little, both of Ireland. Educated at the Catholic School of Otahuhu, and the Presbyterian School of Papatoetoe N.Z. Began his commercial career farming at Papatoetoe and prospecting for Gold during the Thames gold mining Period.   Later joined the staff of J.J. Mills,  Cabinet Makers and General Furnishers, Auckland 1873.  Purchased the business of J.J. Mills 1875 and changed the Firm name to C. Little.  Established the undertaking department of the business.  The business was removed to the Hobson Street Premises in 1887.  The Cabinet Making and Furnishing Departments were discontinued and the present business Undertakers only was carried on.

The formation of a Limited Company in 1916 under the present firm name.  He was appointed Managing Director which position he retained until he retired in 1929.  His son Vincent Alphonsius being appointed Managing Director.   Awarded Certificate of Embalming from University Medical College, Sydney N.S.W. 1896.  His was the first firm of Undertakers in Auckland to install Motor Hearses and Couches.  Erected the present Premises and Mortuary, Chapel at C Little and Sons at 209 Hobson Street, Auckland 1924.

The firm was responsible for the Funeral Arrangements of the Late Sir Robert Lockhart Bar T.,  Sir James Carrol,  Bishop Cleary and the Earl of Oxford. He was a Volunteer of Hobsons Rifles 1875.  Gazetted as Snr. Lieutenant Captain obtaining P.S. Certificate from Council of Military Education, Wellington 1887. When Hobson’s Rifles were disbanded in in 1889 he was made Lieut. of Auckland Naval Artillery, and Lieut. Commander in 1895.  Retired in 1897 And placed on Reserve List with rank of Naval Captain. Winner of Gold Medal in 2nd  Battalion Auck Rifles.  Presented by the Late Major E. Isaacs 1888.  Won the Silver Star and badge of the N.Z. Assoc. Championship (Rifle Shooting) at Christchurch 1889 and the Union Steamship Company Prize the same year.

Married (Firstly) Anna Sophia (Deceased 1912) daughter of J. J. Mills of Auckland. Issue Three Sons,  Francis Joseph, Cuthbert James, Vincent Alphonsus and Seven daughters.  Married secondly Mary Eldest Daughter of Patrick Fitz-Patrick of Dunedin N.Z. in 1916.  Issue one son Cornelius Patrick. Member of Hibernian Society and Carlton Bowling Club.  Recreation Shooting and Bowling. Politics:  Liberal.  Creed Roman Catholic. Home address:  10 Arawa Street, Auckland N.Z. I have found out that the first Cornelius Little came from County Clare.  They came to N.Z. in the Sailing Ship “Ann.”  Cornelius Little M Ann Finn. They went to Otahuhu and took up land there. Havent found any dates yet.

C. Little and Sons have been providing Auckland families with respectful and caring cremation and burial services for over 140 years. You can trust us to guide you through the many facets of a funeral assisting you in making personalised & memorable funeral arrangements to reflect the personality of your loved one.