Funeral directors say Government should mandate time to hold ashes
9 August 2026
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.
The recommendation, made in the Law Commission’s 2015 review of the 1964 Burial and Cremations Act is that a funeral service business would have the power to inter or scatter ashes in an appropriate location if at least 10 years have elapsed, the ashes remain unclaimed, and a notice has been sent to the last know address of the applicant for cremation.
Funeral Directors Association CEO, Gillian Boyes, says it supports it’s member firm Morrisons who has been acting within the current legislative framework which provide a power to dispose of ashes after a ‘reasonable’ time.
“It’s not uncommon for a family to need time to make decisions about what to do with ashes or complete grieving rituals and we think the 10 years proposed in the review is sensible. However in this case the ashes have been held for many decades and we think it is reasonable for our member firm to have made the decision to inter the ashes.”
Ms Boyes says the Association recognises the importance of the care of ashes to families with an explicit ethical principle around respect of the deceased and standards for the safe registration, storage and release of ashes.
“This is a case where the ashes are very old, Morrison’s themselves have not been provided with the records in some cases, and they have gone over and beyond to try and alert families to the planned interment. It is disappointing that the care the funeral home has taken of ashes over many decades, and in trying to lay them to final rest has been categorised in a negative way.
“We understand the firm is co-operating with the Police, and we hope their co-operation will provide the necessary assurances to the public that their loved ones continue to be cared for in a respectful manner.”
“Sadly many families don’t end up collecting ashes and funeral homes currently go beyond the legal requirement of a ‘reasonable period’ to hold them in case a family does change it’s mind. We are concerned funeral homes will be forced into a more black and white interpretation of the law as a result of this complaint.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gillian Boyes
CEO | Funeral Directors Association
M: +64 29 200 8985
E: gillian@funeraldirectors.co.nz