Latter-day Saint funeral arrangements and costs in New Zealand
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Latter-day Saint (LDS) funeral costs in New Zealand are paid by the deceased's estate or the family, as with any funeral. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a family through the ward, and its bishop conducts a funeral held in a Church building, but its handbook does not say the Church pays the funeral director, the cemetery or the council. In some cases the handbook says a bishop can arrange modest funeral services at cost, paid from fast-offering funds.
The sources here are the Church's own General Handbook, which applies worldwide and is written for bishops and other leaders, and New Zealand funeral cost and law sources. We found no New Zealand-specific Church statement about funeral costs or fees, and no New Zealand price for a Latter-day Saint funeral, so none is given. Local practice and the wishes of the family can differ, so the bishop and the funeral director are the people to ask. Handbook text was read on 20 October 2026.
How a Latter-day Saint funeral is arranged
The Handbook says the bishop may offer to hold services to comfort the living and pay tribute to the deceased, and that services vary "according to religion, culture, tradition, and local laws" (General Handbook 29.5). On the points that affect arrangements and cost:
- Who leads. If a funeral for a member is held in a Church building, the bishop conducts it. If it is held elsewhere, the family may ask him to conduct it. The service is described as simple and dignified, and not normally held on a Sunday (the Handbook says funerals generally should not last more than 1.5 hours).
- Planning. The bishop or a counsellor oversees the plan and considers the family's wishes. Family members are not required to speak.
- Viewing. A viewing may be held at a Church meetinghouse before the funeral, and leaders open the building for funeral directors at least an hour before the viewing.
- Help from the ward. The bishop offers help from ward members, including the elders quorum and Relief Society. Examples listed are notifying friends and relatives, helping prepare an obituary, helping plan the service, helping with mortuary and cemetery arrangements, dressing the body for burial and preparing meals.
- Non-members. The bishop may offer a meetinghouse for the funeral of a person who is not a member.
- Payment. Members who take part in services for the deceased should not accept payment.
Burial, cremation and temple clothing
The Handbook says the family decides whether the body is buried or cremated, and that they respect the desires of the individual (General Handbook 38.7.2). Where possible, a deceased member who was endowed is buried or cremated in temple clothing. If cultural traditions make that inappropriate, the clothing may be folded and placed next to the body. An endowed family member of the same gender or the spouse may dress the body. Where only a licensed funeral director may handle a body, the Handbook says an endowed family member or an invited endowed person makes sure the clothing is placed properly (38.5.10). Biodegradable temple clothing is available where burial rules require it. The Handbook gives no price, so we give none.
At the cemetery, a member of the bishopric accompanies the funeral procession if possible. If the grave is to be dedicated, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder performs the dedication, or the family may prefer a graveside prayer (29.5.5).
Who pays for what
We found nothing in the New Zealand sources we read that treats a Church funeral differently on who pays. As with any funeral, the executor, or the person lawfully in control of the body, makes the final decisions, and the funeral director's account is settled from the estate or by the person who arranged it. Our guide on who pays for a funeral explains liability.
| Cost | Who normally pays | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral director's fees, casket, transfer, notices | Estate or family | FDANZ ranges: professional services fee $3,000 to $6,500, casket $1,200 to $5,000 (July 2025, "vary per funeral director") |
| Burial plot and interment, or cremation fee | Estate or family | Burial plot plus interment $1,000 to $8,000 across councils; cremation fee $600 to $1,100 |
| Use of a Church meetinghouse | Not stated | The Handbook says the family may choose to use Church facilities and does not state a charge; ask the bishop |
| Meals and ward help | Ward members | The Handbook lists preparing meals as help the bishop can offer |
| Temple clothing | Not stated | The Handbook says it need not be new; no price is given |
| Modest funeral services at cost | Fast-offering funds, in some cases | The Handbook says a bishop can arrange this with morticians; availability is at the bishop's discretion |
FDANZ's 2026 report gives typical totals of $11,700 for an attended cremation funeral (range $10,000 to $13,900), $14,300 with burial (range $12,800 to $17,000) and $4,700 for an unattended cremation (FDANZ 2026 industry report). Our funeral costs hub has more.
When a family cannot meet the cost
- Ask the bishop what help is available locally, including help arranging modest services.
- Work and Income Funeral Grant, up to $2,697.43, with an income test when the deceased was a partner or child and an asset test in every case (Work and Income). See the Funeral Grant guide.
- ACC, up to $8,236.40, if the death was caused by a covered injury (Community Law).
- Bank release. Banks can release money from the deceased's account for the funeral without the person being the executor or waiting for probate (govt.nz).
- Councils. A council that runs a cemetery or crematorium may bury or cremate a person free of charge if the deceased left too little and relatives cannot pay, under section 49 of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964. See funeral costs when there is no money in the estate.
Preparing ahead
The Handbook says a funeral should be simple. Families can still plan how to pay: savings, a prepaid plan or insurance. Funeral insurance pays a fixed sum towards costs for premiums, and total premiums can end up larger than the benefit, so it is one option among several; see the funeral insurance hub. Other community and faith funeral practices are in our cultural funeral customs guide.
Adviser's view
In New Zealand the estate or family pays for a Latter-day Saint funeral in the same way as any other. The Church's handbook describes ward support, a service conducted by the bishop and, in some cases, help through fast-offering funds, but it does not say the Church pays the funeral director or the cemetery. Ask the bishop what local help is available and keep the Funeral Grant in mind.
Talk to a licensed adviser about funeral cover · free, no obligation.
Cite this page QuoteHub NZ (2026). LDS Funerals NZ: Arrangements and Who Pays. www.quotehub.co.nz/guides/when-someone-dies/lds-mormon-funeral-costs-nz. Updated 2026-10-20.
References
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: General Handbook, chapter 29, Meetings in the Church (29.5 Funerals and Other Services for the Deceased)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: General Handbook, chapter 38, Church Policies and Guidelines (38.5.10 and 38.7.2)
- FDANZ: 2026 New Zealand Funeral Industry Trends Report (PDF)
- FDANZ: Financial matters
- Work and Income: Funeral Grant
- Community Law: Funerals and tangihanga
- govt.nz: What to do when someone dies
- Legislation: Burial and Cremation Act 1964
- Community Law: Funeral and tangihanga costs
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