29 September 2016

Funeral Directors Happy with Kapiti Compromise

Funeral directors are happy Kapiti Coast District Council has compromised on its proposed changes to its Cemeteries Bylaw, says Funeral Directors Association CEO Katrina Shanks.

“We’re happy they have removed the requirement that families must get prior permission from council staff before scattering ashes in approved areas. That would have been an inappropriate and intrusive step for families to have to go through.

“We are also pleased the council has picked up our suggestion to include a requirement that grieving families should pick up educational material from professional funeral directors before scattering ashes. This will help to educate families on the best and most sensitive way of scattering ashes.

“The Funeral Directors Association and our local members will work with the council on this.

“It will be interesting to see the educational material, and we hope it won’t make the approved areas for scattering ashes too restrictive on grieving families. Let’s hope they will give them plenty of options.

“Despite these compromises, we still believe there was no need for any regulation on this issue because there wasn’t a problem that needed fixing.”

ENDS

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