HealthInfo Canterbury
Planning a funeral or memorial
This page has links to information in other languages.
Funerals and memorial services play an important role in the grieving process and acknowledging the reality of death.
They are an occasion to say goodbye, celebrate the life of the person who has died and bring whānau (family) and friends together to express their grief and support the bereaved.
Planning a funeral or memorial in advance
Planning a funeral in advance gives everyone, including the dying person, the opportunity to contribute their ideas and wishes. If you have discussed this previously or if the dying person has written an advance care plan you may already know their wishes.
The recommended pages below have information to help you plan a funeral or memorial.
Funeral directors
Many people use a funeral director to help them make all the necessary arrangements. To find a funeral director, you might like to ask whānau and friends for recommendations.
It can be helpful to ring a few to find out prices and services offered. This national list of funeral directors might help.
You can read more about what funeral directors do and information about funeral costs.
Arranging things yourself
You don't have to use a funeral director. If you decide to make your own arrangements, you need to plan ahead, as you need to know how to care for the tūpāpaku (body). There are also legal requirements such as registering the death.
Community Law's Funerals and tangihanga page may help you with the process.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Community Law – A death in the family
Detailed information about all legal aspects around a death, including how they relate to tangihanga and tikanga Māori.
- Nurse Maude – Funeral planning
Advice to help you plan a funeral service.
- Te Hokinga ā Wairua End of Life Service
This information guides you through the things that need to happen after someone dies, from the first few days to several months afterwards. It also has information to help someone plan their own service ahead of time.
A printable overview of this information is also available on this link in English, Te reo Māori, Samoan, Simplified Chinese and Tongan.
On the next page: After someone you love has died
Written by Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury end of life care and bereavement group and Nurse Maude Hospice. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created August 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIWSD-76097
