Repatriation

Overseas
Within New Zealand

Overseas

To repatriate a deceased person to New Zealand for burial from overseas, or from New Zealand to another country, contact your funeral director for assistance. In addition to the normal processes that are involved in a funeral, there are other requirements which must comply with the regulations of the sending and receiving countries, as well as the airline that will carry the deceased. Regulations and procedures vary between countries so compliance can take more time than is desirable. Patience is urged in such circumstances.

When repatriating ashes, you do have the option of taking them yourself as a carry-on item, as long as you have the correct documentation. If you wish to use mail or courier, sending them from one funeral director to another is the recommended method.

NZ Post will not accept ashes from the general public; only Funeral Directors Association members have an exemption. Contact your local member for assistance.

Within New Zealand

When the funeral for a deceased person is to be held in a centre other than where they died, the funeral director who is attending to the deceased will make all arrangements for transferring the body.