Work and Income Funeral Grant

A non-taxable lump sum that can help towards a deceased person's reasonable funeral expenses. You do not have to be on a benefit to qualify, and it does not have to be paid back if all the criteria are met.

$ 2,697.43 the most that can be paid, as at 1 April 2026

What it can help with

professional services charged by a funeral director
the cost of a casket
death certificate
newspaper death notice costs
hearse fees
burial costs, including the plot and interment
cremation fees
venue hire
food and catering, including kai for a tangihanga
flowers
celebrant, minister or clergy fees
a slideshow or photo tribute

Ministry of Social Development (Work and Income).

Things to know

The most that can be paid is the lesser of the reasonable funeral expenses that cannot be met, or the maximum Funeral Grant.
It is not payable where other specified funding is available - for example ACC, Veterans' Affairs, or a prepaid funeral plan.
There is no time limit to apply; the grant is assessed on the circumstances at the date of death.

Who may be able to get it

The person who died must have been ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they died.
The reasonable funeral expenses must not be able to be met by the deceased person's estate, a surviving partner's assets above the exemption, or the combined assets of a deceased child's parents above the exemption.
An income test must also be met by any surviving partner, or the parents of a deceased child.

The first $2,351.46 of your assets is not counted. This applies when the person who died is your partner or your child.

Income limits

If the person who died is your partner or your child, your income needs to be under a certain limit. These are the annual income limits (before tax) that applied at 1 April 2026.

If the person who died is your partner

If you are	Your annual income (before tax) must be less than
16 - 17 years (with no children)	$ 33,518.68
18+ years (with no children)	$ 38,522.12
A parent with one child	$ 46,745.92
A parent with 2 or more children	$ 49,248.68

If the person who died is your child

If you are	Your annual income (before tax) must be less than
Single, 16 - 17 years (with no other children)	$ 33,518.68
Single, 18+ years (with no other children)	$ 38,522.12
In a relationship (with or without children)	$ 55,954.08
Single with 1 other child	$ 46,745.92
Single with 2 or more other children	$ 49,248.68

When you can't get a Funeral Grant

If other help with costs is available to you, you may not be able to get a Funeral Grant - for example if the funeral costs are covered by ACC, Veterans' Affairs, or a prepaid funeral plan.

How to apply for the Funeral Grant

Complete the Work and Income Funeral Grant application form.
Provide confirmation of death - for example a death certificate, funeral director confirmation, or a newspaper death notice.
Provide details of the funeral expenses - the itemised funeral account, and the original receipt plus a bank account number for the person who paid it, if it has already been paid.
Provide proof of who you are - for example a driver licence or passport. A business card is accepted if you are applying on behalf of a funeral home.
Drop the form and documents into a Work and Income service centre, or post them in.

We can give you an itemised account and confirmation of the funeral to support your application - just ask us. Read the official Funeral Grant page.

ACC support

If someone has died from an injury that ACC covers, ACC may be able to help with funeral and memorial costs, one-off payments and loss of income.

$ 8,236.40 up to this amount towards funeral and memorial costs

page published 22 July 2026.

What the grant can be spent on

burial
cremation
funeral services
preparation or transport of the deceased's body
flowers
death certificates
memorial services

Other support ACC may be able to provide

Homicide victim top-up (funeral or memorial costs)	up to $10,000 in total
Survivor's grant - spouse or partner	$8,830.47
Survivor's grant - each child under 18 or other dependant	$4,415.25
Loss of income	up to 80% of the deceased's earnings

How to apply

Complete the ACC21 form (Advice of accidental death).
The form must be signed by the spouse or partner, the next of kin, or the executor of the will.
Anyone can fill it in - including the funeral director.
There is no time limit to apply.

Travel to a funeral or tangi

Work and Income may be able to help with travel costs if you cannot afford to travel to a funeral or tangi. How much you get depends on your situation, and you may have to pay it back.

You may be able to get help with travel costs if you are the person who died's:

A partner (if you were living together at the time of their death)
A child, including step-children, foster children and whangai
A grandchild or mokopuna
A sibling, including half-siblings and step-siblings
A parent, including step-parents and foster parents
A grandparent

If you are on a benefit, ask about an Advance Payment of Benefit.
If you are not on a benefit, ask about a Recoverable Assistance Payment.

Other places that may be able to help

Talk to us

Every family is different, and we take a tailored approach on a case-by-case basis. If cost is a concern, please call us - we will go through your options with you, including Work and Income and ACC help.

Phone: 0212569703

Get a quote

Sources & last reviewed

The funding figures on this page come from the official sources below. They are reviewed each year, so please confirm current amounts with the organisation directly.

Work and Income Funeral Grant as at 1 April 2026
ACC funeral grant (if the death resulted from an injury ACC covers) as at page published 22 July 2026
Travel to a funeral or tangi as at 24 July 2026

Last reviewed: 14 October 2026

HELP PAYING FOR A FUNERAL