The Funeral Directors’ Association reports that burial and cremation costs paid to local councils have increased by up to 50% in the last year.
The association’s chief executive, Gillian Boyes points out that these council cost hikes are hitting lower socio-economic areas like Wairoa the hardest, further widening the financial gap.
In Wairoa, council costs have increased by 48 percent for burials to $2960 and 42 percent for ash burials to $630.
Boyes stated that a burial costs $7207 in New Plymouth, and an ash burial costs $1900, which is relatively high considering the average salary in Wairoa.
Boyes believes that the Work and Income Funeral Grant is too hard to qualify for and that families often come to her members concerned about how they would afford a funeral but might not realize that there is no set price.
She suggests that funeral directors work with families to individualize a funeral for their needs, including informing them of budget restrictions, asking for cost estimates, seeking advice on alternatives, and pre-purchasing burial or ash plots to avoid future council price rises.
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