FAQ / Cost and inclusions
Cost and inclusions FAQs
Clear answers about direct cremation costs, what is included in the package, and what may cost extra.
Direct cremation is often chosen by families who want a simple, lower-pressure option without arranging a full funeral service. We know cost is one of the first things people want to understand.
These FAQs explain what is included in a Value Cremations package, why prices vary by region, what is not included, and where to check for financial help.
Direct cremation costs
-
Direct cremation with Value Cremations starts from $1,945, with clear, upfront pricing.
The exact cost depends on your location. In most cases, families simply pay the standard price for their area.
We’ll always confirm the full price with you before anything is arranged, so there are no hidden costs.
Some external fees (such as doctor’s certificates) may apply. These are set by the doctor and billed directly, and we’ll always explain them clearly upfront so there are no surprises.
You can check the price for your area on our Cost page, or contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
-
The price can vary slightly depending on where you are in New Zealand. This is mainly due to differences in travel distance and local crematorium fees. In most cases, the variation is minimal.
Our service and inclusions stay the same nationwide – only the location affects the price.
You can view pricing for your area on our website, and we’ll always confirm the full cost with you before anything is arranged.
If additional arrangements are needed (such as after-hours collection), these will be clearly explained in advance. For example, an after-hours service fee of $500 + GST may apply where required.
-
Yes – direct cremation is typically a lower-cost option.
This is because it focuses on the essential arrangements only, without a formal service, viewing, venue hire, catering, flowers, or other service-related extras.
It’s not a lesser choice – it’s simply a simpler one.
Some additional costs may apply in certain situations, such as after-hours collection, doctor’s fees for medical certificates, or specific requests outside the standard service. Ashes are returned as part of the service, with options explained to you.
Direct cremation is also arranged remotely – either online or by phone – so there’s no need for in-home or in-person arrangements.
For many families, this approach offers flexibility, allowing them to take their time and decide if and how they would like to hold a memorial or funeral later. When you’re ready, we can help connect you with the right team to guide you through those arrangements.
-
No – there are no hidden costs.
We keep our pricing clear and upfront, and we’ll always explain what’s included so you know exactly what to expect.
In some situations, additional costs may apply outside the standard service. These can include:
• Longer travel distances to bring your loved one into our care
• After-hours or urgent care arrangements
• Medical certificate or documentation fees (set by the doctor and billed directly)
In most cases, families simply pay the standard service price.
If anything additional is needed, we’ll explain it clearly beforehand — so you can make a fully informed decision with no surprises.
What is included
-
Our direct cremation service includes everything needed for a simple, unattended cremation – with no unnecessary extras.
This includes:
• Bringing your loved one into our care
• All essential arrangements and paperwork, guided by our team
• A simple cremation casket
• Transfer to the crematorium and cremation fees
• Death registration and a certified copy of the death certificate
• Return of ashes to you
The service is arranged online or by phone, making the process straightforward and easy to manage.
It does not include a formal service or optional extras like viewing, catering, flowers, or venue hire – which many families choose to arrange separately, in their own time.
If anything outside the standard service is needed (such as extended travel or after-hours care), we’ll explain this clearly beforehand.
Our aim is to keep the process simple, transparent, and easy to manage.
-
Yes – a simple, suitable cremation casket is included as part of our direct cremation package.
You don’t need to organise this yourself – we take care of everything needed.
-
Yes – bringing your loved one into our care is included within our standard service area.
In most cases, this is covered as part of the service within a 30 km radius. If additional travel is required, we’ll explain any extra cost clearly before anything is arranged.
-
Yes – we take care of organising all the paperwork needed for the cremation.
This includes arranging the required documentation and guiding you through anything we need from you.
In some cases, external medical document fees (such as a doctor’s certificate) may be charged separately. If this applies, we’ll explain it clearly beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.
-
Yes – ashes are returned to you as part of our direct cremation package.
We’ll guide you through what happens after the cremation, including when the ashes will be ready and the options for returning them to you.
You don’t need to organise anything separately — we take care of this so it’s one less thing to worry about
What is not included
-
To keep the service simple and affordable, the standard package focuses on what’s essential and does not include additional services such as:
• A formal funeral service or viewing
• Catering, flowers, newspaper notices, or venue hire
• Memorial plaques, cemetery fees, or ashes interment
• An urn or decorative ashes container
Some external or situational costs are also not included, such as:
• Doctor’s fees for medical documents
• Additional travel outside the standard service area
• After-hours collection, if required
• Special requirements, such as an oversized casket
Many families choose to arrange personal memorials or keepsakes in their own time.
If you’re unsure about anything, call us on 0800 825 832 and we can talk you through it.
-
No – you don’t need to buy an urn.
Ashes are returned to you in a simple, suitable container as part of the package. If you’d like something different, you can choose to purchase an urn later.
There’s no need to decide this straight away – you can take your time and choose what feels right.
-
Yes – you can absolutely have a memorial service or plaque.
Direct cremation doesn’t include a formal service as part of the package, but many families choose to hold a memorial later, in their own time and in a way that feels right for them.
This gives you the flexibility to plan something more personal, without the pressure of organising everything straight away.
-
Flowers, catering, venue hire and similar service-related extras are not included in our direct cremation service.
This helps keep things simple and affordable, focusing on what’s essential.
If you choose to hold a memorial or funeral later, we can support you with those arrangements and connect you with the right team when the time is right.
Payment and financial help
-
Payment is required once the arrangements have been confirmed with you, before the cremation takes place.
This includes completing the required cremation forms and confirming details such as the collection location for your loved one.
If you are applying for a Work and Income (WINZ) Funeral Grant, payment is still made upfront. Once any approved funding is received, we will process a refund to you.
We’ll guide you through everything step by step and make sure you’re comfortable with the arrangements before any payment is requested.
-
Yes – you may be able to get help through a Work and Income (WINZ) Funeral Grant, depending on your circumstances.
This grant can contribute towards cremation costs, although it may not cover the full amount.
Payment for the cremation is made upfront. If you are approved for a Funeral Grant, we will refund the amount received once WINZ has processed the payment.
We can guide you through what’s required and help make the process as straightforward as possible. You can also visit the Work and Income website for the most up-to-date information on eligibility and payment amounts:
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/funeral-grant.html
-
ACC may be able to help with cremation costs if the person’s death was caused by an accident.
The level of support depends on the circumstances and may cover some or all of the costs.
Payment for the cremation is made upfront. If ACC funding is approved, we will refund the amount once the payment has been received.
We can guide you through what to do next and what information is needed. You can also visit the ACC website for the most up-to-date details:
https://www.acc.co.nz/im-injured/financial-support/support-after-someone-dies/
-
Can you provide an itemised account for a Funeral Grant application?
Yes – we can provide an itemised account if you’re applying for a Funeral Grant.
We’ll guide you on what’s usually required and help make the process as straightforward as possible.
Work and Income or ACC will assess eligibility and decide on any payment. We can provide details of the cremation cost, but we don’t determine whether a grant is approved.
If you’d like help with this, call us on 0800 825 832 and we can talk you through it.
-
Yes – some people choose to plan ahead to make things easier for their family.
If you’re interested in pre-arranging, we can explain the options and what’s involved.
-
Talk to us – we can explain the available options and whether financial support such as WINZ or ACC may apply.
Our aim is to keep things clear, manageable, and as stress-free as possible
Choosing the right location price
-
The price is based on where your loved one needs to be collected from.
Each location page shows the price for that area, along with details about the service and what happens next.
If you’re not sure which location applies, just give us a call – we’ll guide you through it and make sure everything is arranged in the simplest way possible.
-
We can often still help, even if your loved one is outside a main centre.
What’s possible will depend on the location and travel required, but we’ll talk you through the options and guide you every step of the way.
If additional travel is needed, there may be an extra cost – and we’ll always confirm this clearly with you before anything is arranged.
Call us on 0800 825 832 and we’re here to help.
Still have questions about cost?
If you are unsure what is included, what might cost extra, or which regional price applies, call us on 0800 825 832.
You do not need to have everything worked out before you call. We can explain the cost, what is included, and what happens next.