What to Do When Someone Dies in New Zealand

When someone dies in New Zealand, a series of administrative steps must happen within specific timeframes — some within hours. Having a clear sequence prevents things from being missed during a period when clear thinking is hardest.

Within the First 24 Hours

If death occurs at home or in a care facility: Contact the deceased's GP or the hospice team. The attending doctor or hospice nurse must certify the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form HP4720). If the death was expected (terminal illness, palliative care), this is usually straightforward.

If the death was unexpected, accidental, or suspicious: Contact the police on 111. The matter will be referred to the coroner, who will arrange for the body to be examined. The coroner issues a Coroner's Authorisation for Release of Body (Form Cor 3) once they're satisfied — this can take days to weeks depending on whether an autopsy or inquest is required.

Contact a funeral director. Unless the family is managing the funeral themselves (which is legally permitted in NZ), a funeral director will collect the body, begin arranging the necessary paperwork, and discuss funeral options. If you have preferences — cremation, burial, tangihanga, green burial — communicate them now.

Locate the will. Check with the deceased's solicitor, Public Trust, or in their personal papers. The will names the executor, who has legal authority to manage the estate and make decisions about funeral arrangements.

Within 3 Working Days

Register the death. Under New Zealand law, the death must be registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) within 3 working days of the burial or cremation. If a funeral director is managing the arrangements, they typically handle this. If the family is managing the funeral directly, the person organising it must submit the BDM 28 Notification of Death form.

Order death certificates. You'll need multiple certified copies — banks, insurance companies, KiwiSaver providers, and government agencies all require them. Standard death certificates cost $35 each from BDM. Order at least 4 to 6 copies; getting more later takes time.

Within the First Two Weeks

Notify financial institutions. Contact every bank where the deceased held accounts. The bank will freeze sole accounts to protect the estate. If accounts were jointly held, the surviving account holder retains access but should notify the bank to remove the deceased's name.

Notify government agencies:

• IRD — to prevent ongoing tax obligations being generated
• Work and Income — to stop benefit payments and inquire about the WINZ funeral grant (up to $2,697.43, means-tested, must be claimed within 6 months)
• NZ Super — if the deceased was receiving superannuation
• ACC — if the death was accidental, to file for the ACC funeral grant (up to $8,236.40, not means-tested)

Contact the deceased's employer (if applicable) to arrange final pay, any death-in-service benefits, and return of work property.

Cancel or redirect services — utilities, subscriptions, mail, phone contracts. Some of these can be cancelled by phone with a death certificate reference; others require written notice.

Within the First Month

Assess whether a High Court grant is needed. Check the value of assets at each financial institution against the $40,000 threshold (per institution), and check whether company shares, debentures, or government or local-authority bonds exceed $15,000. If any single institution holds more than $40,000, if those investments exceed $15,000, or if the deceased owned real property in their sole name or as a tenant in common, a formal High Court grant ($275 filing fee) is required.

Compile a complete asset inventory. Bank accounts, KiwiSaver, investments, property titles, insurance policies, vehicles, digital accounts. This inventory determines the estate's total value and drives every subsequent administrative step.

Seek legal advice if needed. If the estate involves real property, a surviving partner's relationship property election, Māori freehold land, or potential claims under the Family Protection Act, a solicitor should be involved early.

Making It Easier in Advance

The families who navigate this most smoothly are the ones who planned ahead — not because they were morbid, but because they were practical. A central document file with will location, bank account details, insurance policies, KiwiSaver information, and funeral preferences turns a chaotic first week into a manageable one.

Our New Zealand End-of-Life Planning Guide provides the complete organiser framework — including a first-72-hours checklist, an asset inventory template, and institution notification letters — so your family has everything in one place when they need it most.

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