Shone & Shirley vs Simple Direct Funerals:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Shone & Shirley had more branded searches than Simple Direct Funerals among Nelson funeral directors in New Zealand. Shone & Shirley had about 590 branded searches, while Simple Direct Funerals had 20. Shone & Shirley made up 67.8% of all Nelson funeral director searches we track, and Simple Direct Funerals accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Nelson funeral directors, Shone & Shirley appeared in all four answers and Simple Direct Funerals in three. Simple Direct Funerals was mentioned before Shone & Shirley in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Shone & Shirley, about 30 searches for every 1 for Simple Direct Funerals
Who does AI mention more?
Shone & Shirley, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Simple Direct Funerals, named ahead of Shone & Shirley in 2 of 3 answers
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Top Nelson funeral directors in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Shone & Shirley appeared in all four answers. Simple Direct Funerals was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Simple Direct Funerals was listed before Shone & Shirley in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Shone & Shirley4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Simplicity Funerals4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Simple Direct Funerals3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Marsden House2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Anisy's Tasman Funeral Home0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about Nelson funeral directors
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which funeral director should I hire in Nelson, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best funeral directors in Nelson, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best funeral director in Nelson, New Zealand for a funeral arrangement?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“funeral home nelson”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“funeral director nelson”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Shone & Shirley or Simple Direct Funerals more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Shone & Shirley and Simple Direct Funerals by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five Nelson funeral directors we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Shone & Shirley, Simple Direct Funerals. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Shone & Shirley | Marsden House | Simplicity Funerals | Simple Direct Funerals | Anisy's Tasman Funeral Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 57.4% | 32.4% | 7.4% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 50% | 38.5% | 9.6% | 1.9% | 0% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.3% | 45.5% | 5.5% | 1.8% | 0% |
| Jan 2026 | 50% | 32.7% | 9.6% | 5.8% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 61.5% | 26.9% | 7.7% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.7% | 36.4% | 9.1% | 4.5% | 2.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.9% | 28.2% | 15.5% | 1.4% | 0% |
| May 2026 | 49.1% | 28.3% | 17% | 3.8% | 1.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.3% | 31.7% | 11.7% | 3.3% | 0% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.8% | 24.4% | 15.6% | 2.2% | 0% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.9% | 23% | 11.5% | 1.6% | 0% |
| Sep 2026 | 67.8% | 19.5% | 10.3% | 2.3% | 0% |
How has the Shone & Shirley and Simple Direct Funerals comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Shone & Shirley was ahead of Simple Direct Funerals in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shone & Shirley’s share of searches among Nelson funeral directors in New Zealand moved from 57.4% to 67.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 590.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Simple Direct Funerals’ share of searches among Nelson funeral directors in New Zealand moved from 1.5% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 20.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Nelson funeral directors in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Shone & Shirley gained share of searches among Nelson funeral directors in New Zealand, from 63.9% to 67.8%.
In September 2026, Simple Direct Funerals gained share of searches among Nelson funeral directors in New Zealand, from 1.6% to 2.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Shone & Shirley’s and Simple Direct Funerals’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Shone & Shirley
1 branded search term
- shone & shirley
Simple Direct Funerals
1 branded search term
- simple direct funerals
Other head-to-heads among Nelson funeral directors
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