Straight to The Crematorium” or “Direct Cremation” are terms we hear more often these days, but it is never that simple, as there are a few vital steps between death and cremation.

Firstly, because the Kapiti Crematorium is not a mortuary, and has no legal authority to store the deceased on premises, most deceased are first removed from the place of death to the Funeral Home for a 24/48 hour wait. This is a good thing as not only is there usually a queue for cremation bookings, but during this time there are also several things that need to happen:

1. A staff member needs to take time to sit with family or executor to complete the paperwork. This paperwork includes and authority to act, and an application for cremation document.

2. Staff also need to contact and arrange for the doctor’s medical certificates (Cause of death and cremation certificate)
and pay the doctor.

3. With the Cremation Application document along with medical documents, staff then print another form that with these is sent to a ‘medical referee’, a specialist doctor, and if all are in order, they sign the ‘permission to cremate’ giving individual authority for that specific cremation to proceed.

4. When this paperwork is complete the next available booking at the crematorium is made, in conjunction with the family wishes. This can be a day or two away.

5. The deceased is placed in the casket chosen by the family, often if no family is attending then a simple ‘Pine Ply’ casket can help keep costs down.

6. Staff then take the deceased to the crematorium, at the time agreed, with the papers,
and once there having entered details into the ‘Cremation Operating Log’, then the cremation takes place.
With the delay needing to be 24/48 hours, depending on bookings, it often gives time for other family to attend to say their final goodbye. This choice to attend can incur an additional charge for the use of the chapel and additional staff time, so is up to the family.

For details on prices for budget cremation options please see the information here. https://kapiticoastfuneralhome.co.nz/budget-funerals

For more information on prices for full or ‘bespoke farewells’ please contact the Funeral Home on 04 2985168 or see the indicative prices on the website. www.kapiticoastfuneralhome.co.nz