NZ’s first-ever funeral trade show

NZ’s first-ever funeral trade show

New Zealand’s first-ever funeral trade show will be held in Auckland on Tuesday.

The one-day New Zealand Funeral Services Trade Show will feature 31 exhibitors from across the funeral industry.

They include makers and suppliers of all manner and style of caskets, including traditional and eco options, ashes urns, plaques, coffin art designers, embalmer material suppliers, cremation machines, as well as general business suppliers. Several manufacturers from Australia will exhibit cremators, plaques, and urns.

The show will be at the Aotea Centre, Auckland from 10am to 4pm and is being organised by the Funeral Directors Association of NZ (FDANZ). Though it is aimed at the funeral industry it will be open to the public.

Funeral directors will be on hand to offer information and advice on their services and pre-paying and planning funerals, and there will also be representatives of the Celebrants Association and Auckland’s Grief Centre.

A Senior Demographer with the Population Statistics Unit of Statistics NZ will give presentations on changes to New Zealand’s population demographics and what they mean for where and how people will be dying over the next 10-20 years.

FDANZ Chief Executive Katrina Shanks says the show marks the first time the wider funeral services sector has had an opportunity to gather together to display their services and to do it in a public way.

“We are very excited about the range of exhibitors and the chance for the public to have a close look at what we do.

“There are about 30,000 deaths a year in New Zealand so the funeral industry is a large industry that all of us will use at some point. But it’s not often talked about, and we hope this show, even though it’s aimed at the trade, will go some way to demystifying aspects of it for those of the public who attend.

“We believe that funerals, like retirement, should be planned to ensure that when the time comes, families know their loved one’s wishes and have the funds available to make them happen.

“Nowadays there are so many options for families to choose when it comes to gathering, remembering and celebrating a loved one’s life – we want to encourage everyone to explore these options ahead of time.

“The show plays an important role in this journey because it also ensures that those in the industry who deal directly with families are up to date with the latest advancements and offerings.

Mrs Shanks said space at the show sold out months ago, and with such interest there was already talk of making it a regular occurrence, perhaps every two years.

“This event is designed to have a dynamic atmosphere. The industry and the public can expect to be wowed – I have been told there will be some innovative displays.”

ENDS

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