In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.
At a glance
Founder: Peter Russell
Business: Reterniti
Founded: 2022
HQ: Canterbury
Can you tell us a bit about your business?
Reterniti is an Australasian post-cremation innovation.
Conceived of by founder Peter Russell in Sydney but initiated in and now based out of Christchurch New Zealand, Reterniti converts a loved one’s ashes into a solid Reterniti Stone, be they pet or person.
It’s a first of its kind anywhere in the world; an early mover in the growing Death Tech sector and innovation within the funeral industry.
A Reterniti Stone is solidified ashes and is intended to be held close, placed somewhere meaningful and importantly moved if one wishes.
For the bereaved a Reterniti Stone is a tactile, discrete and handleable alternative to a traditional box or urn.
Reterniti is an eco-friendly choice, extensively patented and available throughout Australasia for both people and pets via Vets, Funeral Directors or online.
Customers can choose from a single Reterniti Stone to multiple small Reterniti Pebbles.
A palm sized Reterniti Pebble is just $299 moving to $799 for a large people Reterniti Stone, a cost efficiency over burial not lost on Reterniti’s customers.
Many are choosing several Reterniti Stones for family and friends or multiple Reterniti Pebbles.
In fact the growing concept of ‘post-life bucket list’ is seeing Reterniti Pebbles being placed around the world in locations meaningful to the deceased.
Pet owners are similarly splitting ashes to create numerous smaller Stones or mixing two inseparable pets ashes together.
Reterniti has opened a world of options for pet owners & families.
What’s the backstory for your business idea?
Reterniti was inspired by personal experience and an identified growing need by founder Peter Russell.
Russell had lost both his family dog and then years later his mother and was dismayed at the options available.
“The boulder where we buried our dogs ashes beneath was moved by the council and replaced by a toilet block. We wish we could’ve moved his ashes”.
“With our mother we weren’t keen on her being placed at a memorial garden that we were unlikely to visit, we wanted to keep her near to us”.
“No-one wanted a wooden box or porcelain urn in their lounge”.
The limiting factor was not just the old-fashioned containers, but the ashes themselves.
Reterniti was born; the stone is the ashes and is intended to be held close, placed somewhere meaningful and importantly moved if one wishes.
A Reterniti Stone is a tactile, discrete and handleable alternative to a traditional box or urn.
What programmes, learning or mentoring, or resources have been of assistance so far?
Ministry of Awesome Christchurch
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