Ex National MP Katrina Shanks is now Funeral Directors Association something- or- other and says that the grants available and accessed by about 5,000 annually (one in six deaths) are too low.
“We have concerns that due to the costs of burials, those with few means will not have the choice to be buried and may have to be cremated against their wishes.” She says there needs to be a shared responsibility for ensuring funerals are accessible for all by promoting advance planning for funerals, the industry providing a range of services including basic services, and government assistance for those who can’t afford funeral services.
The funeral business does a great deal of advertising. Listen to Radio Live or NewstalkZB if you want a taste. It constantly encourages people to plan ahead and save so their families won't be lumbered with the cost. Perhaps they should come up with a new line in advertising encouraging individuals to save so the taxpayer won't be forced to fork out?
Oh, and what's the bet that if the grants start to escalate so will funeral costs, just like rents under the accommodation supplement.
7 comments:
Hi Lindsay
Perhaps a new twist on 'cradle to the grave' welfare?
:-)
Brendan
There is no stopping these National socialists is there.
“We have concerns that due to the costs of burials, those with few means will not have the choice to be buried and may have to be cremated against their wishes.
She's right - I have personally seen this happen more than once.
I'm not sure what the answer is but the religious sensibilities of the deceased should be respected and in 21st century NZ they are not
"Religious sensibilities" must be afforded by those who own them.
"Religious sensibilities" must be afforded by those who own them.
Wow, you're just all heart.
Burial is a perfectly reasonable charity that we should extend to the poorest of the poor. People don't need to be embalmed or have expensive coffins. A simple coffin (or even a shroud) and a plot is all that is required. We are a wealthy nation and we should extend this dignity to our dead.
Muerk, Taxpayer subsidies are not 'charity' which is the voluntary giving of help or financial aid.
Burial is preferred for the simple reason that the act of cremation to interment is often not completed.
NZ has laws around how bodies are to be treated. A cremated body is still a body.
Burial ensures the poor are not mistreated even in death by those who think the urn in a cupboard or the tip is the right way to treat bodies.
The state only needs to have a designated funeral director in each area who meets the financial cost of that burial.
I'm sure they would be lining up.
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