Auckland region moved to Alert Level 3 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August 2020 and will remain at Alert Level 3 for at least three days.
This means all our cemetery offices will remain closed to the public until further notice. Essential cemetery services continue to operate, in accordance with Alert Level 3 requirements.
We recognise that during this unprecedented time in New Zealand’s history, these cemetery services restrictions will create added distress for people grieving the loss of a loved one. The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ) has prepared a
helpful resource to support families to commemorate and farewell loved ones while we are all in isolation.
Other organisations are available to provide advice and support for grief and trauma – contact details can be found on the
FDANZ website. We encourage you to reach out to others to help you through this very difficult time.
For advice on funeral arrangements, please contact your local funeral director / funeral home. The FDANZ website has helpful information about
what to do when your loved one dies.
Cemetery services available
Burials
Until further notice, all gates remain closed to non-authorised vehicles at our main cemetery sites. Cemeteries are open for exercise and recreation. Walkers and cyclists must maintain physical distancing guidelines.
In line with the latest government guidelines, up to 10 family/whānau/friends are permitted to go to the funeral home to view the body of the deceased and attend the burial service. Attendees may be from different isolation bubbles.
All other family and whānau are unfortunately not permitted while we are in Alert Level 3. Families can visit the cemetery after the burial, as pedestrian access remains open at our sites.
Funeral Directors will need to provide a list of attendees, prior to the burial. Only persons named on the list will be permitted entry. Security will monitor this and ID will be requested.
While this unprecedented time is difficult because many other family members and friends cannot attend the funeral of their loved ones, our staff treats every deceased person with aroha and care.
Cremations
Cremations will continue but bookings must be made prior. To comply with the government’s COVID-19 Alert Level 3 physical distancing requirements, we unfortunately cannot allow viewing of cremation charges.
Chapel services
Our priority is to the safety and wellbeing of both public and staff during the COVID-19 response. While we are able to ensure these are being met during burial services at our cemetery sites under Alert Level 3, this is more challenging at our chapel amenities at present and they will therefore remain closed until at least Friday 14 August.
Note: For further information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Burial Plot purchases
Burial plot purchases unfortunately need to be prioritised at this time for those with an immediate need. While we are at Covid-19 Alert Level 3, plot purchases will only be available to those families who have lost a loved one or whose loved one has been diagnosed as terminally ill. Prior bookings for these plot purchases are essential.
Genealogy research
For those researching family history, all genealogy searches can be completed online using our
find a burial or cremation record tool.
Closed services
During Alert Level 3, the following services are not operating:
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Chapel Services
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Graveside Services (see above, restricted to 10 people/authorised only)
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Cremation charge viewings
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Collection of ashes – there is no public collection of ashes. The ashes of your loved ones will either be collected by your funeral director or stored securely at the cemetery office until further notice.
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Genealogy research – examination of physical records held at cemetery offices and face-to-face research support is not available until further notice.
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Plot purchases – all general plot purchases, not based on immediate need, are unavailable until further notice.
Self-managed burials and other services
Burial bookings
Applications should be emailed to the relevant cemetery team (see Contact Us below for details) and processing will be completed by the cemetery admin team. Please ensure applications are accompanied by both the applicant’s photo identification and photo identification for the person responsible for payment. Applications need to be completed fully, including the loved one’s full legal name and date of death.
Memorial permits
Memorial permit applications will be accepted and processed. Please send applications by email to the relevant cemetery team. The current COVID-19 restrictions will mean installations of monuments, memorial headstones, or plaques will be delayed until further notice.
Payments
As our offices will be closed and we are unable to take cash payment, photo identification will be required with applications for burial. Invoices will be sent out for online payment.
Contact us
By phone: 0800 4 CEMETERY (0800 423 638 379)
By email:
