Why are funerals so expensive and what we can do about it, will be explored at Whāingaroa Raglan’s first Death Without Debt workshop, on Saturday, July 11 from 1.30-5.30 pm at the Stewart Street Church Hall.
“Death is one of life’s few certainties, yet many New Zealanders avoid talking about it until they have no choice. When that time comes, families are left navigating not only grief, but a complex and costly system they don’t fully understand,” says Gaylene Delaney, workshop presenter and end-of-life doula.
Death Without Debt is working to change that. A non-profit social movement gaining momentum around the motu, Death Without Debt exists to restore knowledge, confidence, and choice to individuals and families. It educates people about their rights and options and the reality of death care in Aotearoa, empowering them to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary financial burden.
Death Without Debt advocates for practical, common-sense changes to the systems that shape how Aotearoa cares for the dead. This includes pushing for greater transparency in funeral pricing, clearer public information about people’s rights, and policies that support families to care for their own dead without unnecessary barriers.
“After-death care is not solely a commercial service, but a community responsibility,” Gaylene says. “Our vision is to ensure dignity in death is accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Our Death without Debt workshops provide a supportive space for honest, practical learning, leaving people more confident, prepared and clear about what matters most.”
As one workshop participant, Donna, shared: “Thank you so much for all the information you shared in the workshop today. I found it astonishing how little a funeral can cost when you do it yourself – you have saved me thousands.”
This practical, supportive, interactive workshop covers a myriad of topics including funeral planning, wills, power of attorney, advance care plans, probate, avoiding costly services, care and transport of the body, coffin choices and alternatives, reducing dependence on the funeral industry, and exploring burial, cremation and ecological choices.
Workshop costs $25 or koha. Register at www.deathwithoutdebt.org.nz/diy-funeral-workshops-nz. For more information contact, jillkaysernz@gmail.com.
For local support with planning ahead or guidance following a loss, visit endoflifematterswhaingaroa.co.nz.
