With the country in lockdown, the way funerals are held has had to be changed in a very dramatic way.

President of the Registered Funeral Directors’ Association of New Zealand, Gary Taylor said the Government had eased the strict rules slightly as of Monday (30th March 2020).

“Previously only one person was allowed to view a deceased person at a funeral home. Since Monday all family and whanau in the deceased person’s personal isolation bubble may go to the funeral home to view the body, while keeping within the physical distancing protocols as outlines by the Ministry of Health. A funeral director or staff member must be present at all times during a viewing.”

They may also go to the cemetery or crematorium for the burial if they have their own transport within their isolation bubble – if it is allowed by the cemetery or crematorium staff.

“A registered funeral director is the only person allowed to carry out the functions of a burial or cremation and transporting a deceased person in the country at the moment. Families and communities are not allowed to carry out funerals for a loved one at this stage,” Mr Taylor said.

Gathering in a public place for funerals and tangihanga is not permitted while New Zealand is at Alert Level 4.

“I think the Government has realised the importance of gathering together for immediate family members who share the same isolation bubble as the deceased.”

“Family members may choose to have a burial or a cremation immediately and have a memorial service at a later date when the restrictions caused by Alert Level four are lifted,” Mr Taylor said.

All cemeteries in the Southland District have been closed to the public following the Government guidelines

Property services manager Kevin McNaught said all SDC cemeteries were officially closed, however there were several trust-managed cemeteries in the district that the council had no control over.

“During the level four lockdown, no exclusive right of burial sites can be bought as Council needs to ensure there is enough prepared beam space,” Mr McNaught said.

Gore District Council communications/marketing manager Sonia Gerken said the GDC was taking guidance from central Government, and from the Ministry of Health.

“Burials and cremations are able to continue, according to guidelines, and these will be arranged by funeral directors, who liaise directly with our staff.”

The gates at the Gore and Charlton Park cemeteries are not locked; there are no gates at the Mataura cemetery.

“All our cemeteries can be accessed by foot, so locking gates would not be a deterrent. We ask people to restrict travel and only visit a cemetery if absolutely necessary,” Mrs Gerken said.

Invercargill City Council interim communications team leader Hannah McLeod said the ICC was also operating under guidance from central Government and the Ministry of Health.

“As a result, our cemeteries and crematorium gates have been closed to prevent vehicle entry. Burials and cremations are able to continue, according to guidelines, and these will be arranged by registered funeral directors who liaise with our staff,” Ms McLeod said.

The Loss and Grief Centre in Southland has set up an emotional well-being phone call service offering support and service with all issues of loss and grief.

Loss and Grief Centre Southland director Caroline Loo said they had Southlanders caring for Southlanders by being available to call and chat during this difficult time brough on by the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We are here to give people a chance to connect to someone, a chance to talk to someone.”

The Loss and Grief Centre is a charitable trust that has been operating in Southland for the last four years. Its services encompass all levels of loss and grief. Further information is available on its website.

Anyone wanting further information about funeral and tangihanga restrictions can visit the Registered Funeral Directors’ Association of New Zealand website.