News & Advocacy

A young funeral director finds his calling

At just 18, James Madden of member firm Harbour City Funeral Home, Wellington is inspiring the next generation with his heartwarming story of finding purpose and passion in a rewarding career in funeral directing.

Posted in All, In the News ; Posted 15 days ago Less than a minute to read

The soundtrack to a life: choosing music for a funeral

From traditional hymns and waiata to favourite songs and quirky choices, music can make a funeral a deeply personal reflection of the life being remembered.

Posted in All, Blog; Posted 30 days ago by Sam - Representing the Funeral Directors Association Less than a minute to read

The cost of dignity: Supporting those who die with nothing

New Zealand funeral directors are absorbing thousands of dollars in costs to ensure people who die with no money or family still receive a dignified funeral.

Posted in All, In the News , Advocacy; Posted 38 days ago Less than a minute to read

WINZ Funeral Grant processes compound grief and stress for families

Funeral Directors Association CEO, Gillian Boyes says inconsistent and confusing administration of the WINZ Funeral Grant is adding unnecessary stress for grieving families, while the grant itself remains woefully inadequate to meet reasonable funeral costs.

Posted in All, Opinion, Advocacy; Posted 41 days ago by Gillian Boyes Less than a minute to read

A question of fairness for bereaved families

A powerful call for fairer funeral assistance for bereaved families, highlighting the significant gap in support depending on how a child dies and the need to ensure every family can farewell their child with dignity.

Posted in All, Advocacy, Opinion; Posted 42 days ago Less than a minute to read

Funeral Directors Association calls out death care as an election issue

The Funeral Directors Association is calling on the next Government to modernise New Zealand’s death-care system to ensure families have greater dignity, choice, financial support and protection when someone dies.

Posted in All, Press Releases; Posted 2 months ago by Bradley Shaw Less than a minute to read

Election 2026 Manifesto

Every New Zealander deserves dignity in death. Yet the systems New Zealand relies on when somebody dies have not kept up with the country we have become. We are calling on the next Government to make funeral support fit for today, modernise New Zealand’s death-care laws and protect families through trusted funeral care. Because a farewell is more than a transaction. Saying goodbye matters.

Posted in All, Advocacy; Posted 2 months ago Less than a minute to read

Don't let exaggerated funeral costs make your decisions

This blog cuts through exaggerated funeral cost claims, explains what New Zealanders are really paying, and explores how planning and prepaying through Now For Them can ease the financial and emotional burden on families.

Posted in All, Blog, Preplan; Posted 2 months ago by Gillian Boyes Less than a minute to read

Funeral directors say Government should mandate time to hold ashes

The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is calling on the Government to progress a recommendation making it clear when a funeral home can inter or scatter ashes following concerns about Morrison’s Funeral Home’s handling of ashes.

Posted in All, Press Releases; Posted 3 months ago Less than a minute to read