Back to guides

Work and Income (MSD)

WINZ funeral grant + bereavement payment pathway

Government support for funeral costs and how it interacts with funeral cover.

Funeral Grant — what it is

The WINZ Funeral Grant is a one-off payment to help with funeral costs for someone who has died, where the surviving partner or other family doesn't have the assets to pay. It's administered by MSD (Work and Income) under the Social Security Act 2018.

The grant is income- and asset-tested. The current amount and eligibility thresholds change annually; check the Work and Income page for the figures in force when you apply.

Who can apply

Anyone arranging the funeral can apply, but the grant is tested against:

  • The deceased's assets at the date of death (cash, KiwiSaver balance, investments)
  • The surviving partner's income and assets, if applicable
  • Whether the deceased had a funeral insurance pay-out or pre-paid funeral plan covering the cost

If a funeral insurance policy pays out enough to cover the funeral, the funeral grant typically won't be paid — the grant is a safety net, not a top-up.

What the grant pays for

The grant covers basic funeral costs only — casket, cremation or burial, funeral director's professional fee, basic celebrant, basic transport. It doesn't cover catering, wake costs, headstones, or extended tangihanga. The full list of eligible items is in the WINZ Funeral Grant manual.

Bereavement Payment (separate scheme)

Distinct from the funeral grant, the Bereavement Payment is a one-off payment to a surviving partner or child to help with immediate living costs after a death. It's not for funeral costs specifically — it's a transition payment. Income- and asset-tested.

ACC Funeral Grant (separate again)

If the death was caused by an accident, ACC pays a funeral grant regardless of income or assets. The amount is set by regulation under the Accident Compensation Act 2001. This is on top of any funeral insurance pay-out.

Stacking — what pays for what

The practical sequence when a funeral needs to be paid for:

  1. Funeral insurance — fastest (24–48 hours for guaranteed-acceptance products on a clean claim)
  2. ACC funeral grant — if death was accidental, automatic on application
  3. KiwiSaver release — under $15,000 by statutory declaration (KiwiSaver Act 2006), over by probate
  4. Bereavement payment — transition support for the survivor
  5. WINZ funeral grant — last-resort gap-filler, only paid where above don't cover

Reference links

Editorial summary only — not personalised financial advice. Site operated by Evolve Group Limited (FSP711891), a Financial Advice Provider licensed by the FMA.