Funeral Costs - The Definitive New Zealand Guide

Updated 26 October 2023

Summary:

The topic of funeral costs is often accompanied by a heavy mix of emotions, not just because it's intertwined with the loss of a loved one but also due to the financial considerations that come during a vulnerable time.
Most Kiwis feel a bit awkward about being cheap when it comes to a loved one's funeral (and understandably so). However, it's almost certain that your loved one would not wish to put heavy financial stress on you due to their funeral (that could cost tens of thousands of dollars).
In New Zealand, like many places globally, the spectrum of funeral costs is wide, influenced by many factors, including the choice of services, the funeral home, and individualised touches to honour the departed. However, there are some ways to try and keep funeral costs low whilst still putting on a great funeral for your deceased's family and friends.

What are the main funeral service options?
Funeral services in New Zealand can take many forms, depending on personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary constraints. Some common service options include:

Traditional funeral service: This typically involves a viewing or visitation, followed by a formal funeral service at a church, funeral home, or other venue. It may include religious elements, eulogies, and musical performances.
Home Funerals: Holding a funeral at home is less common. However, where families conduct the wake and service at home, it can also be cost-effective, eliminating expenses associated with funeral home services and venue hire.
Memorial service: A memorial service is held without the deceased's body present, often after a cremation. It can be more informal than a traditional funeral service and may occur in various settings, such as a park, beach, or community centre.
Direct cremation: The most affordable option. In this option, the deceased is cremated without a formal service shortly after death. The ashes are returned to the family, allowing them later to organise a personal, intimate, and budget-friendly memorial. A memorial can be held by the direct family or friends afterwards.
Direct burial: A direct burial (uncommon in New Zealand) occurs when the direct family or deceased don't want a service. The burial usually occurs shortly after death.
Natural Burials: Natural Burials are also emerging as an economical and eco-friendly option. They involve biodegradable coffins and avoid embalming, resulting in cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

Know This First: How much do funerals cost in New Zealand (a range)?
The cost of a funeral in New Zealand can vary widely. Traditional funeral services, including a burial or cremation, can range from $4,000 to over $20,000, depending on the complexity and extravagance of the service. These costs can encompass professional services fees, casket prices, burial or cremation fees, and additional expenses such as flowers, catering, and venue hire.

What are the costs associated with putting on a funeral?

Note that the below costs are approximations and may differ depending on each specific funeral cost).

Costs will scale based on a few factors, including:

How large the funeral is (e.g. how many attendees).
How long or arduous the funeral process is (hours of the day).
How many cultural practices are woven into the funeral?
The type of funeral (coffin versus cremation).
How many gatherings will the family have before/after the funeral (cultural or otherwise)?
- Planning.
- Grieving sessions.
- Estate/Will execution.

Typical Cost Heading	Description	Typical Cost
Professional Service Fee.	The professional service fee typically encompasses all the services that a funeral provider will provide to you. The professional service fee covers the funeral director's expertise, time and the overall orchestration of the funeral. These activities include consultations with families or representatives, venue hire, coordinating with external providers, overseeing funeral proceedings, death registration, administration and management tasks, offering 24/7 assistance, and personal attendance.	Prices can range from $3,000 to $5,000, contingent upon the chosen services. Additional fees apply for services conducted on weekends or public holidays.
Mortuary Fee.	The mortuary fee is typically charged for the care and storage required of the deceased (usually an interim step) before they get buried, cremated or otherwise.	Mortuary fees will usually be around $1,000 and cover the expenses for the care of the deceased, encapsulating all costs associated with this aspect of the funeral services.
Cremation Fee (through a crematorium).	Some funeral parlours/directors have their crematorium (which is a facility that allows your loved ones to be cremated). Note that not every funeral director will own or have their crematorium. However, almost all funeral directors will have partnerships or connections to a crematorium you can contact. One of the biggest benefits of using a funeral director's crematorium is that you can seamlessly go through the funeral process without having to work with multiple third parties to organise logistics.	Usually around $1,000. The price will depend on what type of urn you choose (whether wood or otherwise). Generally, the urn you get from the funeral director will be temporary until the family decides what to do with the ashes (whether moving them into a different vessel or scattering them in the sea or elsewhere).
Transfer Fees.	Transfer fees are associated with the transportation of the deceased from the location of death to the funeral home.	Usually around $500. It will depend heavily on the location and distance to the funeral director.
Hearse Fee.	A hearse is a vehicle used primarily for transporting the coffin to the cemetery. Most funeral directors offer a variety of different hearses (cars) - both modern and classic versions.	$500 - $600.
Doctors Fee.	Often, when the death has occurred, a doctor may be required (and might be in replacement or in addition to the mortician). Often, the doctor will be on call to inspect the deceased.	The doctor's call-out rate is normally $250 - $300 (flat charge). Often, funeral directors don't add any additional fees or margins on top of the doctor's call-out rate.
Medical Referee Fee.	A medical referee is usually required to confirm the cause of death as determined by the doctor.	$40 - $50.
Death Certificate.	You may need a death certificate if you (or someone in your family) are applying for a funeral grant from WINZ, dealing with an ACC claim or administering the deceased’s estate. The original copy of the death certificate issued by the Births, Death, and Marriages.	The original copy of the death certificate is $33. Funeral directors often provide additional certified copies at no extra charge.
Celebrants & Clergy.	Whether arranged by a funeral director or you source a celebrant yourself, there will normally be a cost associated with bringing someone in to provide that service. When you want to work with a clergy, you can work with a church parish.	The cost for celebrants or clergy can vary. Celebrants' fees range from $500 - to $800. Regarding clergy fees, often, there may not be a hard or fixed fee for a priest or minister's time. However, they may ask for a gratuity or donation due to their service (c. $500). However, note that the amount you donate to the clergy is the family's decision.
Death Notices.	You may often want to notify the general public that your loved one has passed away (and share the funeral details if it's public). Death notices are typically charged on a “per line” basis.	The New Zealand Herald charges $10 per line. The more text you have (and the more lines you take in the publication), the more it will cost.
Photo/Video Tribute.	Funerals in New Zealand have embraced technology recently (particularly post-COVID). Photo or video tributes have become popular at funerals, offering a visual celebration of the deceased's life.	$300 - $400.
Funeral Streaming or Webcasting.	For family members or friends who are overseas or unable to attend the funeral in person, streaming or webcasting services are often offered and available to funeral directors. $300 - 400.	$300 - $400.
Ashes Storage and Accommodation of the Deceased.	Some funeral directors will have facilities to store and accommodate the deceased's ashes. However, this facility is not as common amongst New Zealand funeral directors (as most Kiwis choose to take their loved one’s ashes).	$0. Most funeral directors don't impose additional charges for storing ashes and accommodating the deceased.
Catering.	Scales based on person.	$15 per person. (For example, if 200 people show up, that’s $3,000).
Coffin or Casket Purchase. With options spanning from simple and budget-friendly to ornate and costly.	If you've decided on a burial, you'll likely need to pick a coffin for your loved one. Coffins are a significant cost due to the time and effort required to produce them. Coffins will likely make up a substantial portion of the budget (and before your loved one passes away, you may have indicated a preference or style of a coffin for their final resting place).	Huge range. Anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000+.
Burial plot.	Some funeral directors may not include burial plot costs with the professional service fee (especially if you have a specific plot in mind at a specific location or choose a private burial plot). The bulk of the burial cost stems from the grave digging, owning the rights of the space for a duration (usually something like 60 years unless stated otherwise) and maintenance of the burial site.	$2,000 - $10,000+.
Cultural/Family Ritual Costs.	It's common for religious or cultural funeral processes to be woven into the wider funeral process.	Varies (but could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars).
Legal Costs to Execute the Will.	While not directly related to the funeral, there are clear costs to bring in an executor and execute the will. Most times, the legal costs will come out of the funds of the deceased’s will.	$0 (most times).
Memorial or Production Services.	Some funeral directors may offer memorial services, including post-funeral support such as flower deliveries, scrapbook processing or creating videos/slideshows for your loved one.	$100 - 800.
Total Cost to Hold a Funeral		c. $20,000.

How Can I Reduce the Cost of a Funeral?

Reduction in funeral costs can be achieved through strategic choices and planning:

Opting for Direct Cremation, which forgoes the traditional service and processes the cremation promptly post-death, can substantially lower costs:

Pre-planning funerals is another avenue where costs can be contained. Organising and paying for the funeral in advance can lock in current prices, safeguarding against future inflation.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) Funerals, although requiring more effort, allow for significant savings. Families can take charge of various aspects like the memorial service reducing professional service fees.
Benchmarking and comparing funeral quotes. Talking to multiple funeral directors and getting different quotes (and asking whether some can match or beat other competing offers/quotes).

Must-Know Facts

There are government grants available to ease the cost of a funeral

Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) has a Funeral Grant funding vehicle available for eligible applicants to help subsidise funeral costs. The grant is means-tested (meaning you need to meet asset and income limits to receive this grant).

Whoever you work with, make sure they lay out their costs

One of the essential aspects of managing funeral costs effectively is transparency. Funeral homes and service providers need to be upfront about their pricing structures, offering clear, detailed breakdowns of costs. There's a risk that funeral directors may offer you additional add-ons on the funeral day that cost money (but they don't inform you until after the bill comes). Be mindful of predatory funeral directors who try to upsell you at a point where you're most vulnerable.

Additional cultural funeral considerations will potentially add more costs

Cultural traditions continue to shape funeral practices profoundly. However, there is an evolving dynamic where traditions are adapted to suit modern sensibilities, practicalities, and financial constraints. While the essence of traditional rituals is preserved, adaptations are made to ensure relevance, affordability, and alignment with contemporary values. All of this adaption and interweaving of cultural traditions may cost additional money and can rack up to large sums if there are multiple of them.

The funeral director or parlour you choose will drastically impact the cost of the service

Some funeral directors are premium and cost more than others, whilst some are great at the basics but may not have all the additional add-ons and extras that other funeral directors have. Make sure to compare and contrast different funeral directors to ensure you’re paying a reasonable price for the level of service you’ll receive.

Catering is expensive and often overlooked

While catering is not mandatory at all funerals, many people choose to put on catering (after all, bringing people together in a room for multiple hours, often on the weekends, is stressful and tiresome!). Many overlook catering as a cost (or underestimate how much catering will cost). Make sure to account for this in the budgeting and costing properly. Also, be mindful of the type of food you want to serve (relative to the audience). Try to tailor the food options to the likely demographic of the audience you're likely to have at the funeral.

See if local community organisations can subsidise or support you

Utilising support from community organisations (such as your local church, non-profit or community group) can be a great way to lean into your whanau and ease the financial strain of funerals. Whether subsidised or free venue hire for the funeral or memorial, discounted catering or leveraging volunteers, leaning into the local community or religious groups can be a huge help.

Potentially ask family members to split the funeral costs (or help with planning)

If you’re the next of kin and you feel responsible for the funeral, know you’re not alone. Many family members are more than happy to chip in and work together to sort out funeral planning, logistics and costs. You don’t have to shoulder this responsibility alone.

If there is a will, the funeral costs will often come out of the will.

Often, a will might include a lump sum of money that will go towards the next of kin or be directly allocated to cover any other costs.

Funeral Costs Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start funeral preparations/arrangements for a loved one who’s passed away?

There’s no “strict timeline” that forces you to start funeral arrangements for someone who’s passed away. However, generally, most Kiwis prefer to try and get things underway sooner rather than later. However, it’s absolutely okay to take some time to process what’s just happened.

Can we hold a service at home?

Yes, home services are typically much more personal and can be more cost-effective than hiring a big venue.

Can we organise a direct cremation and hold a memorial service later?

Absolutely. By cremating first and holding a memorial later, this option can offer families the flexibility to organise a personalised memorial service at a later date without the pressure of immediate expenses (and puts far less time pressure or stress on the immediate family).

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