Funerals
Low-income families face cost of dying crisis - funeral director
There's a cost of dying crisis for low income families, according to the Funeral Directors Association.
It says some are unable to farewell their loved ones with dignity, respect and in keeping with… Video, Audio
Exploring options for greener burials and cremations
Research into greening up our burial processes is underway at the University of Canterbury thanks to a Te Putea Rangahau a Marsden grant. Associate Professor Ruth McManus is leading the research and… Audio
Full Covid-19 vaccination a challenge for funeral directors
There is concern low vaccination rates among funeral directors could stop grieving families viewing the body of their loved one despite strict Covid-19 rules being loosened.
At alert level 4… Video, Audio
Tangihanga and funeral rules tightened
The government has tightened rules around tangihanga and funerals this lockdown due to the increased threat of the Delta variant. Family members in the same isolation bubble of a deceased person can… Audio
Cases rising, but Google data suggest NZers are sticking to lockdown rules
The number of locations of interest, and close contacts, continue to grow in the Delta outbreak. There are now 210 active cases in the community. But the good news is, Google's latest Community… Audio
Funerals: Behind the scenes with a funeral director
Funeral director Nigel Rowland, from the Wilson Funeral Home, joins Jesse to talk about his experience in the industry. Audio
The 'Coffin Confessor' paid to speak up for the dead at funerals
Bill Edgar is the son of one of Australia's most notorious gangsters, a former street kid, prisoner, sexual abuse survivor and inventor. Now the Queensland private investigator has found fame for… Audio
Burial rites are expanding to fit our shrinking world
The earth's short of space and that's affecting our customary expectations of how we bury our dead. Audio
Maori communities upset over limits of people at tangi
Some Māori communities are upset and frustrated that only 10 people can attend tangihanga under Level 2.
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, says it has been one of the hardest decisions Cabinet had… Audio
Funeral directors ask Health Ministry to change level 4 regulations
Funeral Directors have put recommendations to the Ministry of Health which would enable more whānau to visit their loved ones who have died.
One of the funeral homes who have put recommendations… Audio
How do we regulate death?
New Zealand legislation around death is old and generally regarded as in need of a thorough refresh. The Ministry of Health is currently seeking public submissions on a review of the Burial and… Audio
Why burial protocols are so important in Islam
The first funeral for two victims of the mosque shootings took place this morning in Christchurch. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of father and son Khaled and Hamza Mustafa. Some in the… Audio
The rise of the natural burial
Natural funerals try to minimize the stress, cost, and environmental impact of death by holding secular, family-led, environmentally friendly funerals. Living Legacies director Lynda Hannah tells us… Audio
The Casketeers: putting the fun into funerals
The Casketeers is a local TV show that's been an unexpected runaway success - following the owners and staff of Tipene Funerals. It negotiates the fascinating world of death, grieving relatives and… Audio
Residents riled by funeral parlour's plans
A funeral operator's plan to run services from a home in a Christchurch suburb has upset residents, and the council is considering legal action. Audio
'Take the Time to Talk'
This week is 'Take the Time to Talk' Awareness Week. Its aim is to encourage Kiwis of all ages to share their life story and their wishes about what they want for their funeral. Katrina Shanks is the… Audio
Funeral held for pilot killed while fighting Port Hills fire
A funeral was held in Christchurch today for helicopter pilot Steve Askin, who died while helping fight the Port hills fires. Video, Audio
Tighter rules for ash-scattering get go-ahead
The Kapiti Coast District Council has voted for tighter restrictions - but not a ban - on the scattering of human ashes in the region.
Kapiti Coast council proposal on ashes 'bonkers'
A proposed ban on scattering ashes in public places in Kapiti, north of Wellington, is being called "stupid" and "unworkable". Video, Audio
Caitlin Doughty: Lessons from the crematorium
Kim Hill talks to funeral director and mortician Caitlin Doughty, creator of the web series Ask a Mortician, founder of The Order of the Good Death, and author of the 2014 book Smoke Gets in Your… Audio