Behind the final farewell | The art of mortuary makeup
A behind-the-scenes look at the artistry, science and compassion of mortuary makeup, featuring FDANZ member professionals Mary Shilling, Wendy Bygrave and Brian Barrett as they share how their work helps provide families with a dignified and comforting final farewell.
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Funeral directors say Councils not adequately supporting dignity in death
New research from the Funeral Directors Association highlights growing concerns that rising Council cemetery costs and declining service standards are making dignified end-of-life choices less accessible for New Zealand families.
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Planning an environmentally friendly funeral
How to plan a more environmentally conscious funeral—surprising facts about burial vs cremation, practical eco-friendly choices, and ways to create a farewell that honours a loved one’s values and the planet.
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Comical march to honour man who spent a lifetime bringing smiles
Every life is unique, and a meaningful farewell should reflect the personality, passions, and spirit of the person being remembered. This story shows how funeral directors work closely with families to create deeply personal tributes.
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Handling family disagreements during funeral planning
Practical, compassionate guidance for when families clash during funeral planning—showing how to honour different relationships, reduce tension, and create a meaningful farewell without needing perfect agreement.
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Fuel critical users - animal care in, deathcare uncertain
The Association has raised concerns about the government's new fuel response categories noting that funeral and deathcare is not mentioned at all in the list of critical users.
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Choosing a funeral director - the questions that protect you
Before you choose a funeral director, this blog shares the simple questions that protect you from pressure, hidden costs and poor care—so you can ensure your loved one is treated with dignity and you have real accountability if something goes wrong.
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Grief education in schools submissions
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is pleased to support two submissions to the review of the Health and Education curriculum. While each takes a different approach, both are grounded in ensuring children and their teachers are better equipped to deal with grief.
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Funeral grant offers 'woeful' level of support - report
An industry report from the Funeral Directors Association has highlighted the disparity between the current Work and Income Funeral Grant and the average costs of funerals.
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