Body Collection & Transportation
You do not need any special licences or endorsements to transport a body, unless you are a funeral director. Anyone with a valid driver’s licence can transport the body within New Zealand.
If you plan to use the services of a funeral director, they will arrange collection of the body for you. If you are planning on transporting the body yourself there are some things you will need to consider such as the size of your vehicle, keeping the body cool during transportation and preserving the dignity of the person who has died.
Preparing to collect the body
When collecting a body from a funeral home, you will need to view and identify the body before it can be moved.
A body should not be visible while being transported so it should be covered in some way or in a coffin, casket or shroud.
There is no requirement around what type of vehicle can be used to transport a body, but a large station wagon or a van is probably the most practical.
Tips for transporting a body
- For a longer journey, you might want to consider packing bags of ice around the body.
- Make sure that the body is secured to stop it from moving around inside the vehicle.
- Keep the temperature in the car as cool as possible.
- It is a legal requirement that you make every effort to preserve the dignity of the deceased.
Find coffins and caskets in your local area
frequently asked questions
Human remains, including cremation ashes, are not permitted to be sent by international post. If the ashes are overseas, there are various methods for returning them including air freight, courier service or even hand luggage on the aircraft with an accompanying person as long as all the documentation is in order.
The body does not need to be embalmed for domestic flights with Air New Zealand, however, it is essential that specified packaging, sealing and documentation requirements are adhered to as otherwise the casket will not be able to be accepted for transportation.
If you’re bringing human remains into New Zealand, you need to email New Zealand Customs scanned copies of your documentation and note “Urgent – Human remains” in the subject line.
Air New Zealand will only accept human remains for transport from funeral directors, New Zealand District Health Boards (DHBs) or the New Zealand Police. Anyone organising their own funeral can pick up the human remains from the destination cargo depot. Read more about repatriation (bringing a body back to New Zealand).