The Funeral Directors Association has condemned the Level 2 announcement of no more than 10 people attending a funeral or tangi saying it is both cruel and without compassion.

 President Gary Taylor says “this is a cruel and heartless blow to the thousands of New Zealand families who have lost loved ones and is unjustifiable.”

 During the Level 4 lockdown no funerals or tangi could be held. Under Level 3, a maximum of 10 were allowed to attend a funeral or tangi. Under Level 2 the Government has decided to keep that number at 10. “

Gary Taylor says thousands of families have been unable to have a meaningful funeral as part of their grieving process which has today been extended for another 2 weeks.”

“Today’s announcement is another cruel and heartless kick in the guts for all those families who have been waiting until Level 2 to hold a meaningful farewell.”

“Funeral Directors Association members can be trusted to manage the funeral environment safely and there is no justification for the decision the Government has taken.” Taylor said “We know how much anguish and sorrow this cruel and harsh decision will cause to tens of thousands of New Zealanders because we see it every day and have done so ever since the Alert Level system was initiated.”

 Gary Taylor says The Funeral Directors Association was led to believe that Level 2 would allow for funerals of up to 100 and had already worked with its members with advice and guidance on how to manage them safely.

“The families we serve deserve better than this. How can it be in any way kind to allow multiple groups of up to 10 in a restaurant for a social meal but no more than 10 in total to farewell a deceased Mum, Dad, Auntie, Grandparent or a young child?”