Find a Funeral Director

COVID-19 Information

Updated 18 February 2021

As from 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February Auckland has moved to Alert Level 2 and the rest of the country to Alert Level 1.

AUCKLAND - Funerals and tangihanga at Alert Level 2 

 

At Alert Level 2, up to 100 people can attend a funeral, tangihanga, kawe/hari mate or unveiling ceremony/hura kōhatu.

Social gathering rules apply to funerals and tangihanga held at:

  • funeral homes
  • churches, mosques and other faith-based institutions
  • hired venues or facilities
  • private dwellings.

Organisers do not need to register with the Ministry of Health to hold a funeral or tangihanga.

The organiser legally must ensure that contact tracing requirements are met.

We recommend avoiding physical contact such as harirū, hongi, kissing, and hugging except if you:

  • live with them
  • are whānau
  • close friends.

More information about gatherings and events

Ministry of Health guidance on deaths, funerals and tangihanga at Alert Level 2(external link)

Defined space

A defined space is a single indoor or outdoor space separated from other spaces.

If a place has more than 1 defined space, then people should not intermingle between the defined places. This includes when entering, leaving, or using the toilet. It does not include workers.

This also applies to separate businesses that work from the same location. 

Indoors

An indoor space is a single space if there are walls that substantially divide that space from other spaces. The walls can be permanent or temporary.

Outdoors

An outdoor space is a single space if there:

  • are walls that substantially divide that space from other spaces — the walls can be permanent or temporary, or
  • is at least 2 metres between all people in that space and any other people (outside that space).

REST OF THE COUNTRY - Alert Level 1

Please contact your local Funeral Director who will be able to assist you with the planning and preparation of a funeral or tangihanga. 

 

Useful COVID-19 Grief Resources 

COVID-19 Grief Resource - When no funeral, tangi or farewell gatherings can take place
Funeral Directors Association NZ

Getting through Together
Mental Health Foundation NZ

There are many organisations that offer help and support for grief and trauma ranging from resources, counselling and support groups. Read more here