Phase 3 brings a little feeling of normality as from 2nd March 2022 (11.59 pm), 2 years after the first Covid case in New Zealand, we see a re-opening of our borders and quarantine lifting for NZ families. The easing of restrictions seems to be flowing into everyday life as people see the current strain affecting all people but generally in a minor way, and so we learn to ‘live with it’. While Funerals and Tangihanga remain, like most events, under heavy restrictions including a maximum of 100 vaccinated at an event, or 25 mixed (vaccinated and unvaccinated), we hope this will ease soon. 
Our staff continue to be safeguarded as essential workers, we can now have a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) after being near a covid case and if negative we can return straight to work. We, as a Funeral Home, have gone further than most by completing RAT tests ever since January when the RED level was introduced. I purchased additional supply in December and was not affected by the shortage. We have had plenty of supply which has been useful in testing some funeral attendees who have been close contacts and thus allowing all at a funeral to feel assured that the funeral may continue, rather than having to reschedule the event. Though there is still a concern, even with this less dangerous Omicron variant, for most, ‘we are told, will be like, something between a cold and a flu, so most people are now accepting that this is part of everyday life, and look forward to the restrictions on numbers and segregation found at events like Funerals and Tangihanga we hope soon to be lifted. Smaller private funerals are now more common since Covid restrictions’, but also people are realising a universal need to come together to have a time of farewell, and those that want no farewell at all have diminished, as our society reflects on the need to stay connected, a reflection of the difficult times we have been through in the past 2 years. While restrictions remain our Funeral staff will continue to wear masks and keep hygiene paramount. To achieve this we have added a hand basin in our foyer for everyone entering to use, and fogging (deep cleaning) after events, providing the highest level of care and hygiene standards at all times. –
In phase three our aim is to keep us all safe, as we continue to be there for all  ‘In Times of Need’.
Andrew Malcolm

The Kapiti Crematorium has a perfectly sized smaller 35 seat chapel, in lovely peaceful surroundings.