Maori begin to accept cremation

NEW ZEALAND – As the world changes so too do Maori protocols when mourning the loss of a loved one.

Nowadays more and more people are considering cremation as opposed to burial. It raises the question of where we are headed to now.

Approximately 70 per cent of people who die in New Zealand are cremated. More Maori are choosing cremation too.

One Tuhoe hapu were thrown when it came to dealing with cremation ashes – nowadays referred to as known as “cremains” – from overseas.

Te Makarini Temara said: “The word came that cremains were being brought on to the marae. Almost immediately, the speakers were concerned about proper ceremony. It took them by surprise.”

But the issue was managed by following tradition.

“What’s more important? Caring for grieving families or turning your back on them?” Temara said.

Cremains are portable, don’t decompose, and can fit into small plots. Cremation can be cheaper than burial too.

In Whakatane, it costs $800 to $1800 for a full service and cremation. Adding funeral home costs pushes that to about $2000.

Families can pay more than $5000 for a three-day funeral at the marae.

One advantage of cremation is that ashes can be shared.

The family and relatives of James Takamore spent seven years in court fighting over his remains.

Maori academic Ranginui Walker arranged for his family to keep some of his ashes, the rest were given to his tribe, Te Whakatohea.

- Maori Television