Financial Assistance
The average cost of a funeral in New Zealand is approximately $10,000. Whether you choose to have a cremation or burial, a simple service or traditional ritual, the funeral costs may be more than you expect.
The costs involved in a funeral service vary greatly depending on a number of factors; the type of funeral you want, whether you have a wake afterwards, the number of attendees, what happens to the body after the service, and whether you use a funeral director or organise the details yourself.
Read our funeral budgeting examples for more details about costs for different types and sizes of farewells.
Types of assistance
Bereavement leave
Bereavement leave gives an employee time to grieve and to take care of matters to do with the bereavement. This does not have to be taken straight away or on consecutive days. Each employee gets bereavement leave for a minimum of three days per bereavement for family related deaths and other circumstances.
Work and Income
Work and Income can pay your loved ones benefit or superannuation for 28 days after they have died, which can help ease financial pressure. When you inform work and income of your loved one’s death, make sure you ask for the 28 days payment.
Funeral Grant
If the death of a loved one makes it hard for you to meet your living costs, Work and Income might be able to help with your living expenses.
ACC financial support
If someone has died from an injury, ACC can pay a funeral grant of up to $7,024.80 towards funeral and memorial costs. This amount changes every year and is based on the amount they can help with on the date the person passed away. You won’t pay any tax on this.
Veteran’s Affairs financial support
If someone has died from an injury, ACC can pay a funeral grant of up to $7,024.80 towards funeral and memorial costs. This amount changes every year and is based on the amount they can help with on the date the person passed away. You won’t pay any tax on this.
Life insurance payouts
Some life insurance policies include an advance funeral payout. This gets deducted from the rest of the amount you are insured for. If the person who has died has funeral insurance, this will cover funeral costs up to amount insured.
Compassionate Air Fares
Air New Zealand compassionate fares help you be with your family after an unexpected medical emergency or a bereavement. You can apply for a compassionate fare if an immediate family member has an unexpected and critical medical condition or dies.
Get special low prices on flights within New Zealand and they will do what they can to get you on a last-minute flight, even if it’s busy. They give you flexibility to make changes to your flights, and other existing bookings. If you’ve already paid the normal fare for a flight, they may be able to give you a partial refund.