Honouring the Life of Jeffrey Raymond Smith
Helping give Dad the farewell he deserves and lay him to rest beside Lisa, after a sudden loss and difficult final days.
Dunedin, Otago
On Monday,13th October, my dad Jeff Smith - passed away-he was my best mate and a man who spent more than 40 years giving voice to others as a journalist. He had deep ties to Canterbury and Otago and lived with honesty, compassion, and integrity.
He lived his last 8 years in Geraldine community - he loved it here and I see why the local community is like no other.
Since July, it’s been a long and emotional road in and out of hospitals. I was by his side every step of the way, holding his hand in the final days and nights when he could no longer speak. What happened in those last hours was beyond anything I could have imagined. In his final half hour, while I stepped away briefly, the oxygen was turned off and I returned only to be told he had passed. I was robbed of the chance to say goodbye.
This has made an already devastating loss even harder. All I want now is to give my dad the farewell he truly deserves and have his ashes laid to rest alongside my sister Lisa, his beloved daughter, who we lost to suicide almost two years ago.
No government agency has been willing to assist this far.
Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward covering cremation and funeral costs so I can bring my dad home and lay him to rest with his mother in Palmerston and his daughter - our lovely sister in the north island.
I know it’s a difficult time and especially this time of year so thank you even if you just read this.
❤️ Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith's involvement (page creator)
My Dad wasn't just my father - he was my best mate, Dad has always been there throughout my entire life. We shared a special bond between us ,I would do anything for him, just as he would have done for me. I truly wouldn't be here today without him.
Use of funds
Funeral service and cremation costs, Memorial and travel expenses, Legal and administrative costs tied to his passing. Clearing out his flat in Geraldine & ensuring he is laid to rest with his Family.
Latest update
A tribute to the life of veteran journalist Jeff Smith, seeking support to fulfill his final journey by engraving his handmade box and laying a portion of ashes to rest alongside his daughter and mother. 5 January 2026
I am writing this with immense gratitude. After the page initially closed, I was moved to learn that people reached out to Givealittle specifically to have it reopened. Because of that kindness it has give me renewed hope of completing dads journey.
Where we are now:
The road since October 13th has been incredibly difficult, but I am proud to share that I have managed to get Dad cremated. To honour his memory, I have personally hand crafted a special wooden box for his ashes. Made out of love for a man who was not just my father, but my best mate. Spending the final year with him I will hold close all the hugs memories these will stay with me forever.
The Final Farewell:
I am now focused on the final, steps of his journey. Your support will enable:
• Professional engraving for the handmade box I built for him.
• A memorial plaque to be placed beside my sister, Lisa. Bringing them back together is a promise I need to keep.
• Interment costs to lay his ashes to rest with his mother in Palmerston and his daughter in the North Island.
Losing Dad so suddenly under such traumatic circumstances being robbed of a goodbye has been incredibly hard, but the compassion shown has made this journey feel less lonely. Bringing him home to be with Lisa his beloved daughter and my sister is the final piece of peace I can give him. Fulfilling these final wishes is how I am finding peace. Thank you for helping me bring Jeff Smith home.
With love and thanks,
Aaron Smith
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