Burial and Cremation Act 1964

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Taking Care of the Dead"

Illustration for Burial and Cremation Act 1964

This law is about what happens to people's bodies when they die. You will learn about how people can be buried or cremated. The law covers rules for these processes. When someone dies, their body is either buried or cremated. You can find out more about these rules in this law. It explains how to take care of the dead. The law aims to make sure people's bodies are treated with respect. You can read about the different ways this is done. It is all part of taking care of the dead. This law brings together and updates the rules for burying and cremating people. You can learn about the rules for these important processes. It helps people understand what to do when someone dies.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM355078.

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Highlights from this law




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1: Short Title and commencement, or

"This law is called the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and it started on 1 April 1965."

Burial and Cremation Act 1964

Reprint as at:
2025-11-27
Assent:
1964-11-18
Commencement:
see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Health.


An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the burial and cremation of the dead