Funeral changes welcomed

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand has welcomed the Government's change of exemption when it comes to to funerals and tangi numbers allowed at Alert Level 2.

The initial limit for funerals/tangi in Level 2 was 10. However, under the new exemption announced yesterday, where physical distancing, contact tracing and hygiene processes are sufficiently robust, up to 50 people are allowed to gather.

David Parker, owner of Evans Funeral Services and a member of FDANZ, said this was a good thing for families in comparison to Levels 3 and 4.

“We will comply with the new guidelines just as we have been complying with them throughout Levels 3 and 4.

“Funeral directors told the Ministry of Health (MOH) that we trust our members to run a safe funeral home and have people there following safe physical distancing and hygiene practices.

“We have to provide an application for each funeral to the MOH where 50 people are wanting to attend.

“Even if people wanted to have a funeral at home they would have to follow the same process.

“We have strict guidelines in place and if they are not followed we will call the police.”

“I am so proud of FDANZ going to the MOH and figuring this out.”

Virtual funerals and livestreaming had been popular and positive throughout the alert levels and they would continue to offer these services.

The exemption has been granted for funeral services and tangi involving up to 50 people and registered with the Ministry of Health.

The registration process includes a commitment to meeting public health considerations and a checklist of requirements.

This list is based upon the standards put forward by the FDANZ.

FDANZ chief executive David Moger was delighted with the announcement.

“This will make such a positive difference to families across New Zealand dealing with the loss of a loved one” Mr Moger said.

“This is an example of the team of New Zealand working together” he said.

“I want to thank the Government, the officials and all the MPs who contributed to this review.”

FDANZ provided Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield with new information related to the funeral sector and how funerals could be managed in line with a gold standard best practice approach.

FDANZ president Gary Taylor was confident the approach was robust enough to maintain safety.

“Our members already work to a set of standards as an assurance of quality and we were able to provide the evidence to Dr Bloomfield for his consideration.”

“We all need to play our part now,” Mr Taylor said. “Respect the increase in limitations as they will be sufficient for most families for the time being.

“We will continue to work with the Government on further changes over the coming weeks.”