Planning ahead

Making prior arrangements for your funeral means your wishes can be carried out, disagreements can be avoided, and family and friends won’t need to make difficult decisions when they are grieving.

The details can either be given to your Griefcare funeral director, or attached to your will. Everyone 18 years or over should make a will. A solicitor, Public Trustee or other trustee organisation can advise you on this.

Your list of requests could include:

• Your choice of funeral director
• Your church affiliation
• Your wishes as to burial or cremation and, in the case of the latter, the disposal of the ashes
• The venue for your funeral service
• Details of a cemetery plot which is already owned, or your choice of cemetery where a plot is to be purchased
• Details of organisations, professional societies, clubs etc to be notified with funeral details

While your express wishes are not legally binding, your executors are morally obliged to observe them.

Advance payments

The FDANZ Family Bereavement Plan has been specifically designed so you can pre-pay and plan your funeral. All Griefcare accredited funeral practices which offer pre-paid funerals are required by FDANZ to sign an annual Statutory Declaration confirming that the investment of funds meets all statutory requirements.

Your records

Filling in a Personal Profile Record will ensure your next of kin or executor has the necessary details required by the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages. These can be obtained from your local Griefcare funeral director.

Griefcare is an initiative of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand, registered owner of the Griefcare trademark.

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