Financial Assistance to help meet the cost of a Funeral
Funeral Grants through Work and Income (WINZ)
When an adult or child dies, his or her spouse or parent (or executor of the estate) can apply to Work and Income New Zealand for a lump-sum contribution towards funeral costs. The Work and Income Funeral Grant (if approved) provides some assistance towards the payment of a funeral. This grant is means tested and covers a portion only of the funeral costs.
We have forms for families to complete to see if they are eligible for this grant.
The Work and Income website offers a very wide range of information on financial support you may be able to receive. Use the links below (or the search function on the website) to quickly find information on the following:
- Funeral grant (for the partner, spouse or child or guardian of the deceased person)
- War veterans grants and pensions (for the surviving spouse or partner)
- You may be able to get help to pay for travel to a funeral or tangi. You may also be able to help to pay for some funeral expenses if the person who had died has little or no money to pay for this
- After a bereavement (you may be able to get help with your living expenses)
- What to bring with you when applying for financial assistance.
Financial Assistance from Accident Compensation Corporation
Financial assistance may be available to you when someone dies as a result of an accident, work-related disease, infection, medical treatment or suicide. If the person has died as the result of an accident, we can provide you with an Accident Compensation Corporation Funeral Grant form. In some of these circumstances, funeral costs will be covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation.
