New rules regarding bodies of loved ones

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

Changes to the way funeral services can transport people who have died were decided yesterday as new rules emerged during this country's Covid-19 alert Level 4 lockdown.

Evans Funeral Services owner David Parker said the new information was given to them from the Department of Justice and Ministry of Health through the National Association Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand.

There were no exceptions, said Mr Parker.

The deceased person cannot be returned home embalmed.

There can be no viewing of the body at all, said Mr Parker.

“Maori families who wish that the tupapaku be returned to the Coast — it cannot be done.

“Options are cremation, long-term embalming or burial at Taruheru Cemetery with no family present.”

Mr Parker said Evans could do a transfer from the East Coast to Gisborne but not the other way around.

“This is defined as essential travel versus non-essential travel.

“If a person passes away up the Coast, the family has the option of bringing their loved one to Gisborne for cremation or burial at Taruheru (no family presence), or long-term embalming, or we could supply a casket to them and do all the legal requirements, and they could still be buried at their family urupa.

“Attendance is restricted to whanau who are isolated to the home where the person dies.”