**If Death Occurs at Home (Expected):** 1. **Stay Calm** Take a moment to be with your loved one. There's no rush. 2. **Contact the Doctor** • Call the person's GP or hospice nurse • They will attend to certify the death • This must happen before the body can be moved • Usually occurs within 2-4 hours 3. **Call Us (The Natural Funeral Company)** • Available 24/7: 021 234 5650 • We'll guide you through next steps • Arrange to collect your loved one • Begin planning process when you're ready 4. **Notify Close Family** • Immediate family members first • Consider who should hear directly from you • Ask someone to help make calls if needed **If Death Occurs at Home (Unexpected):** 1. **Call 111 Immediately** • Police and ambulance will attend • Death will be reported to coroner • Do not move or disturb anything 2. **Follow Police Instructions** • They will guide you through the process • Coroner may need to investigate • This is standard procedure 3. **Contact Us After Police Release** • We'll collect your loved one • Provide support and guidance • Begin funeral arrangements **If Death Occurs in Hospital or Care Facility:** 1. **Staff Will Handle Initial Steps** • Doctor certifies death • Staff will explain next steps • You'll have time with your loved one 2. **Choose a Funeral Director** • Contact us: 021 234 5650 • We'll collect from the facility • No rush - take time you need 3. **Collect Personal Belongings** • Hospital will have belongings ready • Check for valuables • Ask about any paperwork

**Register the Death (Within 3 Working Days):** This is legally required in New Zealand. **What You Need:** • Medical certificate of cause of death (from doctor) • Deceased's birth certificate (if available) • Marriage certificate (if applicable) • Your identification **Where to Register:** • Department of Internal Affairs • Births, Deaths and Marriages • Can be done online or in person • We can assist with this process **Cost:** • Registration: Free • Death certificates: $33 each • Order multiple copies (usually need 3-5) **Death Certificates Needed For:** • Banks and financial institutions • Insurance companies • Legal proceedings • Property transfers • Government agencies **Coroner Cases:** The coroner must be notified if death was: • Sudden or unexpected • Violent or suspicious • Result of accident or injury • During medical procedure • Cause unknown • In official custody Coroner investigations can take weeks to months. We'll support you throughout this process. **Burial or Cremation Permit:** • Required before burial or cremation • Issued after death registration • We handle this application • Usually processed within 1-2 days

**Initial Consultation with Funeral Director:** We'll meet with you to discuss: 1. **Burial or Cremation** • Personal preferences • Religious or cultural requirements • Environmental considerations • Cost implications 2. **Casket Selection** • Natural/eco-friendly options: $220 - $5,935 • Traditional options: $2,405 - $9,500 • View options at our Eden Terrace location 3. **Service Preferences** • Venue (our church, cemetery, home, other) • Date and time • Religious or secular ceremony • Music, readings, tributes • Celebrant or minister 4. **Viewing Arrangements** • Private family viewing • Public viewing hours • Natural body care options • Location preferences **Typical Timeline:** • Day 1-2: Initial arrangements • Day 3-5: Finalize details • Day 5-10: Service typically held • Flexibility for family travel **What We Handle:** • All paperwork and permits • Coordination with cemetery/crematorium • Booking celebrant and venue • Transportation arrangements • Order of service printing • Death notice placement • Flowers (if requested) • Catering coordination • Audio/visual equipment **What You Decide:** • Type of service • Who speaks/participates • Music selections • Readings or poems • Personal touches • Dress code • Reception details

**Notify Important Parties:** **Immediate:** • Employer (if still working) • Landlord (if renting) • Close friends • Religious community • Clubs or organizations **Within Days:** • Banks and financial institutions • Insurance companies (life, health, home, car) • IRD (Inland Revenue) • Work and Income (if receiving benefits) • Electoral Commission • Driver licensing (return license) • Passport office (return passport) **Secure the Home:** • Change locks if keys are missing • Notify neighbors • Cancel newspaper delivery • Stop mail or arrange forwarding • Ensure property insurance current • Arrange for pet care • Water plants • Check security system **Financial Immediate Tasks:** • Locate will and important documents • Contact lawyer/executor • Secure valuables • Cancel credit cards • Stop automatic payments (review first) • Notify pension providers • Check for life insurance • Contact KiwiSaver provider **Social Media and Digital:** • Memorialize or close social media accounts • Cancel email accounts • Close online shopping accounts • Cancel streaming services • Update phone contracts • Close or transfer domain names

**Locate Important Documents:** • Will (original copy) • Birth certificate • Marriage/civil union certificate • Property deeds • Insurance policies • Bank statements • Investment records • Superannuation documents • Tax returns • Business documents **Contact the Executor:** If there's a will: • Executor manages the estate • They'll apply for probate if needed • Probate can take 6-12 months • Executor coordinates with lawyer If no will: • Estate distributed per NZ law • Administrator appointed by court • Process takes longer • Legal advice essential **Apply for Benefits:** **Funeral Grant (Work and Income)** • Up to $2,292.30 • Means-tested • Apply within 6 months • We can help with application **ACC Funeral Grant** • Up to $7,830.88 • If death accident-related • No means testing • Application forms available **Survivor Benefits** • Widow's benefit (if eligible) • Orphan's benefit (if applicable) • Contact Work and Income **Insurance Claims:** • Life insurance • Mortgage insurance • Credit card insurance • Travel insurance (if applicable) • Gather all policies • Submit claims promptly **Bank Accounts:** • Notify all banks • Freeze accounts • Joint accounts may continue • Provide death certificate • Follow bank procedures **Property and Assets:** • Secure property • Continue insurance • Maintain mortgage payments • Don't sell until probate (usually) • Consult with executor/lawyer

**Estate Administration:** • Apply for probate (if required) • Value all assets • Pay outstanding debts • File final tax return • Distribute estate per will • Close bank accounts • Transfer property titles • Settle all claims **Cancel Services and Subscriptions:** • Utilities (or transfer) • Phone and internet • Insurance policies • Gym memberships • Magazine subscriptions • Loyalty programs • Professional memberships • Charitable donations • Medical alert services **Vehicle Registration:** • Transfer ownership • Cancel registration (if not keeping) • Notify insurance • Return disabled parking permits **Property Decisions:** • Keep, sell, or rent? • Clear out belongings • Arrange valuations • Consider market timing • Consult with family • Engage real estate agent if selling **Personal Belongings:** • Sort through clothing • Distribute sentimental items • Donate usable items • Dispose of unusable items • Take your time - no rush • Keep special items • Consider memory boxes **Digital Legacy:** • Access online accounts • Download photos and files • Close or memorialize profiles • Cancel subscriptions • Transfer domain names • Preserve digital memories

**Grief is Normal:** Everyone grieves differently. Common experiences include: • Shock and numbness • Sadness and crying • Anger or guilt • Physical symptoms (fatigue, appetite changes) • Difficulty concentrating • Sleep disturbances • Social withdrawal All of these are normal grief responses. **Support Resources in Auckland:** **Grief Counseling:** • Skylight Trust: Free grief support • Victim Support: 0800 842 846 • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (24/7) • Samaritans: 0800 726 666 • Your GP can refer to counselors **Support Groups:** • Hospice bereavement groups • Church communities • Online forums • Specific loss groups (spouse, child, etc.) **Practical Support:** • Accept help from friends/family • Let people bring meals • Ask for specific help • Don't try to do everything alone • Take breaks when needed **Self-Care Essentials:** • Eat regular meals • Try to sleep (talk to GP if struggling) • Gentle exercise (walking helps) • Avoid major decisions for 6-12 months • Be patient with yourself • Grief takes time - there's no timeline **When to Seek Professional Help:** • Thoughts of self-harm • Inability to function daily • Prolonged depression • Substance abuse • Physical health deterioration • Isolation from everyone Your GP can provide referrals and support.

**Death Overseas:** • Contact NZ embassy/consulate immediately • They'll guide repatriation process • Costs: $5,000 - $15,000+ • Travel insurance may cover • We coordinate international repatriation • Documentation requirements vary by country **Sudden or Traumatic Death:** • Police will investigate • Coroner involvement required • Victim Support provides counseling • Body release may take time • Additional trauma support available • We provide specialized support **Death of a Child:** • Specialized grief support essential • Skylight has specific programs • SANDS (stillbirth/neonatal death) • Marriage strain is common • Sibling support important • We offer compassionate pediatric care **Suicide:** • Coroner always involved • Specialized grief counseling vital • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 • Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0508 828 865 • Support groups available • No shame - seek help **Death During COVID-19:** • Follow current health guidelines • Viewing may be restricted • Service size limits may apply • Virtual attendance options • We adapt to all requirements • Safety protocols in place

**Auckland Council Services:** **Cemeteries:** • Waikumete Cemetery (West Auckland) • Purewa Cemetery (East Auckland) • Manukau Memorial Gardens (South Auckland) • Hillsborough Cemetery (Central Auckland) • Advance booking recommended • Plots: $2,500 - $6,000 **Crematoriums:** • Waikumete Crematorium • Manukau Memorial Gardens Crematorium • Booking through funeral director • Fees: $800 - $1,200 **Death Registration:** • Births, Deaths and Marriages • 109 Featherston Street, Wellington (main office) • Or online: www.dia.govt.nz • Phone: 0800 22 52 52 **Local Support Services:** **Hospice West Auckland** • 09 838 5580 • Bereavement support • Counseling services **Hospice North Shore** • 09 489 4920 • Grief support groups • Family counseling **Auckland City Mission** • 09 303 9200 • Practical support • Food assistance **Citizens Advice Bureau** • 0800 367 222 • Free advice on legal/financial matters • Multiple Auckland locations **Our Eden Terrace Location:** • 120 New North Rd, Eden Terrace • Central Auckland location • Easy parking • Public transport accessible • Historic church available for services • 24/7 availability: 021 234 5650