Aftercare: Support For Families After The Funeral
Grief does not end on the day of the funeral. For many families, the weeks and months that follow are harder than the days leading up to it. Other people’s lives start moving again, but yours may still feel paused.
We can stay in touch with families we have worked with, and we have put this page together as a starting point for practical help, professional support and crisis care available across New Zealand. If anything here is hard to navigate, please call us. We can help.
Free, Confidential Support Available 24/7
All of these services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, every day:
Support For Waters Funerals Families
When you have worked with us, our care for your family does not stop on the day of the service.
For every family we serve, we provide:
Time.
There is no clock on coming back to ask a question, request additional certificate copies, or talk through anything that comes up. Pick up the phone any time.
Bereavement support.
Through support programmes, we can help connect your family with grief resources, caring follow-up and counselling options.
Online memorial page.
The tribute page we set up for your loved one stays online indefinitely. There is no time limit and no ongoing cost to your family.
Help with later memorialisation.
Headstones, plaques, scattering of ashes, memorial gatherings and other later decisions can all be discussed when your family is ready.
Remembering Them In The Months And Years Ahead
Some forms of memorial happen in the days after the service. Others happen months or years later. We help with both.
This may include:
For burials, the ground usually needs time to settle before a headstone can be installed. This often takes 6 to 12 months. We can still talk through wording, design and timing earlier, so you are not left trying to work it out alone later. Learn more about our Funeral Services if your family is still planning the service itself.
Visit our Obituary to view online memorials and tribute notices.
Headstones, plaques and cemetery memorials, including guidance on design, wording and installation timing
Returning the urn and arranging the scattering of ashes when your family is ready
Adding ashes to an existing grave or planning a future interment of remains
Annual remembrance services, where your family, faith or community tradition includes them
What Often Needs Attention After The Funeral
The administrative weight of a death often hits hardest in the weeks after the service. Some things we have already handled, including death registration and the first certificate. Other matters may take longer.
The most common practical concerns include:
Estate administration
including probate, letters of administration, wills and asset distribution
Banks, KiwiSaver and superannuation accounts
Insurance claims
including life insurance, funeral cover and mortgage protection
Work and Income support
including the Funeral Grant
ACC support for accidental deaths
Vehicle and property transfers
Cancelling subscriptions, utilities, memberships and accounts
Free And Low-Cost Support In New Zealand
Specialist grief support is more available in New Zealand than many people realise. Some services are free, and others are subsidised or low cost.
Support options include:
Many cultural and faith communities also have their own grief networks. In South Auckland, this can be especially important.
Grief Centre, counselling in person, by phone or online
Local hospice bereavement services, often available to whānau for up to 12 months
1737, free counsellor support by call or text
Skylight Trust, for children, young people and families navigating grief
Healing Hearts NZ, for whānau supporting children through loss
Sands NZ and Whetūrangitia, for the loss of a baby or child
Aoake te Rā, for support after loss to suicide
Victim Support, for sudden or traumatic death
Hato Hone St John Caring Caller, for older people who would benefit from regular phone contact
Frequently Asked Questions: Aftercare
Clear answers for the weeks and months after the service.
We Are Here When You Need Us
If you are a family we have worked with recently, a family from years ago, or someone reading this for a person you love, you are welcome to call us.