Cultural & religious guidance

Tangihanga (Māori)

The tangihanga is a central part of te ao Māori. It typically takes place over 3 days on a marae, though practices vary between iwi and whānau.

Day 1 — Arrival

• Tūpāpaku (the deceased) is brought to the marae in procession
• Pōwhiri (formal welcome) for manuhiri (visitors)
• Whaikōrero (speeches) and waiata (songs)
• Tūpāpaku lies in state in the wharenui (meeting house)
• Whānau keep vigil — someone is always with the tūpāpaku

Days 2–3 — Lying in state

• Continuous receiving of visitors — the marae is open
• Sharing of stories, memories, and grief
• Communal meals prepared by ringawera (kitchen workers)
• Kaumātua (elders) guide proceedings
• Karakia (prayers) throughout

Final day — Burial

• Final farewell speeches
• Tūpāpaku taken to urupā (burial ground)
• Burial is traditionally preferred, though cremation is gaining acceptance
• Hākari (feast) follows the burial

Financial support for tangihanga

• MSD funeral grant (up to $2,616.12) — see financial help
• ACC funeral grant if accident-related (~$7,880)
• Whānau, hapū, and iwi contributions
• Community fundraising

Pacific communities

Samoan (Fa'a Samoa)

• Extended mourning period, often a week or more
• Orator chief (tulāfale) coordinates proceedings
• Fa'alavelave — family and community contribute financially and practically
• Church is central to the funeral service
• Large gatherings are expected — hosting and feeding many people is part of the process

Tongan

• Communal grief with large gatherings
• Ta'ovala (woven mat) worn as mourning dress
• Hair cutting ceremony after approximately 10 days
• Extended mourning periods are the norm

Cook Islands and Fijian

• Similar communal approaches with church involvement
• Extended family expected to gather and contribute

Religious requirements

Muslim

• Burial within 24 hours if possible — urgency is important
• No cremation
• Body washed (ghusl) by same-gender family members
• Wrapped in plain white cloth (kafan)
• Buried facing Mecca
• The New Zealand Muslim Association (NZMA) is a registered funeral director and can coordinate Muslim burials

Jewish

• Burial as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours
• No cremation (Orthodox). Reform communities may allow it.
• Chevra Kadisha (burial society) prepares the body
• Simple wooden casket — no metal fittings
• Shiva — 7 days of mourning at home

Hindu

• Cremation preferred
• Eldest son traditionally lights the pyre or presses the button at the crematorium
• Shradh ceremony performed
• 13-day mourning period

Buddhist

• Cremation is common
• Chanting and prayers by monks or family
• Body should be left undisturbed for a period after death
• Monks may be invited to lead ceremonies

Sikh

• Cremation
• Akhand Path — continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib
• Simple casket

Catholic

• Last Rites (Anointing of the Sick) before death if possible — contact a priest
• Burial or cremation both acceptable
• Funeral Mass is the central ceremony

Protestant and other Christian

• Funeral service led by minister or pastor
• Burial or cremation — varies by denomination
• Contact the deceased's church community

Organ and tissue donation

• New Zealand has no official donor register
• The donor indication on a driver's licence is not legally binding
• The family will always be asked — their decision is what matters
• The most important thing you can do is have the conversation now with your family, so they know your wishes

Contact: Organ Donation NZ

Body donation to science

• University of Auckland (North Island) and University of Otago (South Island)
• Governed by the Human Tissue Act 2008
• Bodies are used for 2–3 years, then cremated and returned to the family
• No cost to the family — but you must register in advance