New Zealand · Bereavement Guide
What to Do When Someone Dies in New Zealand
Losing someone is disorienting. This guide covers every step — from the first hours through to the longer-term legal and financial tasks — so you know what needs to happen and roughly when. If you'd rather have a plan built around your specific situation, answer a few questions and we'll put one together →
In the First Hours
The immediate steps depend on where and how the death occurred.
If the death happened in hospital or a hospice
The hospital or hospice will guide you through the immediate process. A doctor will certify the death and issue a Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCD). You can ask to spend time with your loved one before they are moved, and there is no obligation to rush.
If the death happened at home
Call your loved one's GP or an after-hours medical service. A doctor must attend to certify the death and issue the MCCD. Once the certificate is issued, you can contact a funeral director to arrange collection. If your loved one was under hospice care at home, call the hospice first — they can certify the death and guide next steps.
If the death was sudden or unexpected
Call 111 immediately. Police must be notified of any unexpected, sudden, or unexplained death. The Coroner's Office may become involved to establish the cause of death, and in these cases the body may not be released immediately. The Coroner's Court will keep you informed; you can contact them through the Ministry of Justice.
Choosing a funeral director
You are not obligated to use the first funeral director who is called. You have the right to compare services and prices. Look for members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ), who are bound by a code of ethics. Your funeral director will handle much of the administrative process — including registering the death — so choosing someone you trust matters.
Registering the Death
All deaths in New Zealand must be registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM), part of the Department of Internal Affairs. Registration must occur within 3 working days of the death.
In practice, your funeral director will usually register the death on your behalf, using the MCCD issued by the attending doctor. If you are handling arrangements without a funeral director, you can register directly through govt.nz.
Getting certified copies of the death certificate
Once registered, you can order certified copies of the death certificate from BDM. These cost around $33 each. Banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and lawyers typically each require their own original certified copy — so order more than you think you'll need.
Tip: Order at least five to six certified copies upfront. Getting additional copies later takes time and costs the same per copy.
You can order online at bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz or in person at a Service Centre. See our full guide: How to register a death in NZ →
The Funeral or Tangihanga
There is no legal time limit on holding a funeral in New Zealand. Most families arrange it within a week or two, but the right timeline is the one that works for your whānau.
For Māori families, a tangihanga typically takes place on the marae and follows tikanga Māori customs around the tūpāpaku (the body). Funeral directors experienced in Māori customs can support this process.
Burial vs cremation
Both are widely available in New Zealand. If there is a will, check for any instructions about the deceased's wishes. If there are no instructions, this decision falls to the next of kin or executor.
Costs
Funeral costs in New Zealand typically range from around $4,000 for a basic cremation to $15,000 or more for a full burial service. Costs vary by region and provider. Get itemised quotes from more than one funeral home.
Funeral grant from Work and Income
If you are struggling with funeral costs, Work and Income NZ offers a Funeral Grant of up to $2,408.74 (2024–25 rates). This is means-tested based on your income and assets. The estate, the surviving partner, or the person paying for the funeral can apply. Contact Work and Income before the funeral if possible — call 0800 559 009 or apply at workandincome.govt.nz. See our full guide: How to apply for a Funeral Grant in NZ →
ACC-covered deaths: If the death resulted from an accident, ACC may cover funeral costs up to approximately $6,837 and provide a Survivor's Grant and weekly compensation to surviving dependants. See what ACC provides and how to claim →
Notifying Government Agencies
Several agencies need to be notified of the death. The SmartStart for Deaths service at govt.nz lets you notify multiple agencies in one place.
Inland Revenue (IRD)
Notify IRD of the death as soon as possible. A final income tax return must be filed for the deceased, covering the period from 1 April to the date of death. If the deceased ran a business or was self-employed, additional obligations may apply. Contact IRD on 0800 227 774 or at ird.govt.nz — you will need their IRD number.
Work and Income / Ministry of Social Development
If your loved one was receiving NZ Superannuation, a benefit, or a pension, notify Work and Income immediately. Payments must stop on the date of death, and any overpayments must be repaid from the estate.
If you were financially dependent on your partner, ask about the Surviving Spouse/Partner Benefit — a short-term payment while you adjust. Call 0800 559 009 to discuss your options.
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand
If the deceased was a veteran receiving a pension or allowance, notify Veterans' Affairs through Work and Income.
SuperGold Card
Return the SuperGold Card to any service centre or post it back to the address on the card.
Legal Matters — Wills and Probate
Finding the will
Check at home first, then with the deceased's solicitor, their bank (safe deposit box), or the New Zealand Law Society Wills Register. If you cannot locate a will, a solicitor can conduct a formal search.
If there is a will
The will names an executor — the person responsible for administering the estate. If you are the executor, your responsibilities typically include:
- Applying for a Grant of Probate from the High Court (required when the estate includes real property or assets over $15,000 held by a financial institution)
- Notifying beneficiaries named in the will
- Collecting and valuing all assets
- Paying any debts, including IRD obligations
- Distributing the estate according to the will
If there is no will (dying intestate)
When someone dies without a will, the estate is distributed according to the Administration Act 1969 — generally in this order: surviving spouse or partner first, then children, then wider family. A family member must apply to the High Court for Letters of Administration to be appointed administrator. The Ministry of Justice has guidance on this process.
Enduring Power of Attorney: An EPA ends automatically at death. If you were acting under one, your authority ceases the moment the person dies. You cannot use an EPA to deal with a deceased person's affairs.
Getting legal help
Estate administration can be complex, especially where property is involved. A solicitor specialising in wills and estates is worth engaging early. The NZ Law Society has a searchable directory to help you find one in your area. See our full guide: Probate in New Zealand — do you need it and how to apply →
Financial Matters
Banks and financial institutions
Notify all banks where the deceased held accounts. Most will freeze individual accounts upon notification of death. Joint accounts typically pass directly to the surviving account holder. You will need a certified death certificate, and for larger estates, the Grant of Probate, before funds can be released.
KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver funds form part of the estate — they are paid to the executor or administrator, not directly to beneficiaries. Contact the deceased's KiwiSaver provider with the death certificate and Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration) to begin the claim. If you do not know which provider they used, IRD holds records of all KiwiSaver memberships. See our full guide: What happens to KiwiSaver when someone dies →
Life insurance
Check for life insurance policies held through insurers, via their employer, or attached to a mortgage. Contact each insurer directly with a certified death certificate to start the claims process. Policies paid to a named beneficiary pass outside the estate and are not subject to probate.
Property and mortgages
Notify the mortgage lender of the death. Most will continue to accept payments from the estate during administration. Property held in joint tenancy typically passes directly to the surviving owner without going through the estate — this should be confirmed with a solicitor.
Debts
The estate is responsible for the deceased's debts before any distribution to beneficiaries. This includes credit cards, personal loans, and any outstanding taxes. Beneficiaries are generally not personally liable for the deceased's debts — only the estate is.
Ongoing Practical Tasks
These are less urgent — typically handled over the weeks and months following the death — but still need to be done.
NZTA — driver's licence and vehicles
Notify NZTA to cancel the deceased's driver's licence. If you are selling or transferring their vehicle, a change of ownership form is required.
Electoral Commission
Notify the Electoral Commission to remove the deceased from the electoral roll. You can do this online at vote.nz or by calling 0800 36 76 56.
Subscriptions, memberships, and services
Cancel ongoing subscriptions (streaming, magazines, clubs), insurance policies, and memberships. Check their bank statements for recurring direct debits you might otherwise miss.
Utilities
If the deceased lived alone, notify their power, gas, internet, and phone providers. If utilities need to transfer to another name, allow extra time — providers often require proof of death and additional paperwork.
Digital accounts
Most platforms have a process for memorialising or closing accounts — this includes Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Apple. You will typically need a death certificate and proof of relationship. This is worth attending to, but take your time — there is no urgency here.
Getting Support
The administrative side of bereavement is demanding, and it sits on top of grief. Please ask for help — from family, friends, or professionals.
Grief support in New Zealand
- Skylight Trust — support and resources for anyone experiencing grief, loss, or trauma, including referrals to local services.
- Hospice New Zealand — bereavement support is available from hospice services to anyone, not just those who received hospice care.
- Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) — free, confidential advice on legal, financial, and practical questions following a death.
- Victim Support — specialist support if the death was sudden, traumatic, or the result of a crime.
- Need to talk? Call or text 1737 — free, 24/7 counselling and support, anytime.
For whānau
If you are supporting your whānau through a bereavement, your local iwi health provider or Māori health service may offer culturally appropriate support. Your GP can also refer you to bereavement counselling services in your area.
If you are struggling yourself — not just managing the practicalities — please reach out to your GP or call 1737. You don't need to wait until things feel unmanageable.
What do you need to do this week?
The steps above apply broadly. What you actually need to do — and in what order — depends on who died, how, and what they left behind. Someone whose partner died suddenly at home with no will is in a different position than someone whose parent died in hospital after a long illness with everything in order.
Get a plan for your situation →