Deceased person died overseas
A Funeral Grant may be paid in respect of a deceased person who died overseas if they were ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they died.
Costs associated with repatriation to New Zealand
Repatriation is when a deceased person's body is moved from one country to another following their death. Repatriation may occur for many reasons including:
- fulfilling a deceased person's wishes
- to honour religious, cultural or spiritual beliefs
- allow for mourning and commemoration in the deceased person's home country
Costs that are associated with moving a deceased person's body back to New Zealand can be included in the assessment of Funeral Grant if they are determined to be reasonable by MSD.
Example - deceased person is ordinarily resident
Javi has lived in New Zealand since childhood and is ordinarily resident in New Zealand. On 25 May he left New Zealand to visit friends in Spain. On 3 June Javi passed away while still in Spain.
Javi will be repatriated to New Zealand for his funeral.
As he was ordinarily resident in New Zealand when he died a Funeral Grant may be paid in respect of his reasonable funeral expenses, including the cost of moving his body back to New Zealand.
Example - deceased person is not ordinarily resident
Hoani is a New Zealand citizen and lived here since birth. In June Hoani sold his property and left New Zealand to move permanently to Canada. Hoani passed away in November while still living in Canada.
Hoani will be repatriated to New Zealand for a tangihanga.
As Hoani left New Zealand to move permanently to another country, he was not ordinarily resident in New Zealand when he died.
A Funeral Grant cannot be paid towards Hoani's reasonable funeral expenses as he was not ordinarily resident in New Zealand when he died.
Funeral held overseas
If the funeral of a deceased person who was ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they died is held overseas, MSD may consider a Funeral Grant for any funeral costs that are determined to be reasonable.
Example
Linh moved to New Zealand permanently in 2010 and is ordinarily resident in New Zealand. On 20 November she left New Zealand to visit her family in Viet Nam. Linh passed away on 11 December while she was in Viet Nam.
Linh's family organised a funeral service to be held in Viet Nam which honours Linh's wishes. This means she will not be repatriated to New Zealand.
As Linh was ordinarily resident in New Zealand when she died a Funeral Grant may be paid in respect of her reasonable funeral expenses.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Funeral grant: restrictions on payment section 94(d) Social Security Act 2018
- ordinarily resident in New Zealand (definition) schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
