
‘Talking about death and the future allowed us to honour Mum’s wishes’
When Marie-Louise Brennan died, there was no question about what she wanted to happen. She had planned her funeral, chosen all the music and flowers, picked her coffin, and specified the location of her burial. You name it, Marie-Louise had it planned.
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Death is part of life – let’s talk about it
Are you someone who is happy to talk about your funeral plans? Or someone who would rather talk about anything else under the sun? Turns out if you avoid it, you’re not alone.
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Funeral directors reject allegations of predatory behaviour
“We strongly refute allegations of predatory behaviour in our industry,” Gillian Boyes, chief executive of the Funeral Directors’ Association told MPs. Boyes was in Parliament to push back on claims made by Fergus Wheeler from Death without Debt, who is urging reforms to the country’s outdated funeral system, telling them it gave funeral directors a lucrative monopoly on death.
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Health Select Committee presentation
Andrew Malcolm, President of the Funeral Directors Association, and CEO Gillian Boyes, presented to the Health Select Committee. This meeting offered a vital platform to address claims made by Death without Debt and to share insights on areas we believe require thoughtful consideration for better deathcare outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Repatriating Wellington assault victim Luke Smith: Costs and administrative 'minefield'
Funeral Directors Association CEO Gillian Boyes said she could not speak to the specific case, but the cost of repatriation - to or from New Zealand - could vary wildly. She said the starting point was about $10,000 and typically increased with distance.
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Funeral industry publishes cost guidance in wake of increasing council costs
Increased council burial and cremation costs, in one case, 48% higher than last year has seen the funeral industry publish guidance to help families better understand the options available to help manage the expense of a funeral.
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Life as a funeral director: ‘Serving my iwi by doing this mahi’
Listen to two funeral directors at a Whakatāne funeral home talk about where they see the future of the industry.
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Disappointment over repeated failure to increase funeral grant
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is disappointed the Government’s budget has once again failed to include an increase for the Work and Income Funeral Grant.
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Funeral Directors Association warns about funeral live stream scams
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is warning New Zealanders about a new funeral live streaming scam that asks for money to view a funeral live stream.
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