Cremation Regulations 1973
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Version as at 7 May 2026
Cremation Regulations 1973
(SR 1973/154)
Denis Blundell, Governor-General
Order in Council
At the Government Buildings at Wellington this 18th day of June 1973
Present:
The Hon H Watt presiding in Council
Note
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.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Health.
Pursuant to section 37 of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964, His Excellency the Governor-General, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, hereby makes the following regulations.
Contents
Regulations
1 Title and commencement
(1)
These regulations may be cited as the Cremation Regulations 1973.
(2)
These regulations shall come into force on 1 January 1974.
2 Interpretation
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—
Act means the Burial and Cremation Act 1964
approved crematorium means a crematorium—
(a)
erected in accordance with approval given under section 38(2) of the Act or any corresponding former provision; and
(b)
that is not subject to a closing notice under regulation 3(3) or section 41(2) of the Act
associate coroner means a person who holds office as an associate coroner under the Coroners Act 2006
coroner includes—
(a)
the chief coroner, an acting chief coroner, a deputy chief coroner, or a relief coroner under the Coroners Act 2006; or
(b)
an associate coroner to the extent that they have the jurisdiction of a coroner under the Coroners Act 2006
crematorium authority means any person or body of persons for the time being having the control and management of a crematorium
long-term residential care has the same meaning as in section 11 of the Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
Medical Officer of Health and health protection officer have the same meanings as in the Health Act 1956
Medical Referee means a person for the time being holding office as a Medical Referee pursuant to regulation 6, and, subject to subclause (3) of that regulation, includes a Deputy Medical Referee and a Second Deputy Medical Referee
near relative, in relation to a deceased person, means—
(a)
the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner of the deceased, but only if the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner was living together with the deceased immediately before his or her death; and
(b)
a parent of the deceased; and
(c)
any child of the deceased who is aged 16 years or over; and
(d)
any other relative of the deceased who usually resided with him or her
specialist palliative care means care provided—
(a)
by 1 or more health practitioners with expertise in palliative and end-of-life care; and
(b)
to a person with an advanced and progressive condition that—
(i)
is life-limiting or life-threatening; and
(ii)
requires specialist care; and
(c)
for the purpose of managing the symptoms caused by that condition.
Regulation 2 approved crematorium paragraph (b): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 2 associate coroner: inserted, on 5 April 2023, by section 36 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 8).
Regulation 2 biomechanical aid: revoked, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 2 coroner: replaced, on 5 April 2023, by section 36 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 8).
Regulation 2 long-term residential care: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(3) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 2 Medical Officer of Health and health protection officer: amended, on 26 July 1988, pursuant to section 2(5) of the Health Amendment Act 1988 (1988 No 99).
Regulation 2 medical practitioner: revoked, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 4 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Regulation 2 near relative: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 12 of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).
Regulation 2 specialist palliative care: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(3) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
3 Management and closing of crematoria
(1)
[Revoked](2)
A person must not continue to use a crematorium for the purpose of cremation—
(a)
if the Minister has directed under subclause (3) that the crematorium be closed; and
(b)
that direction has not been revoked under subclause (3A).
(3)
Without prejudice to subsection (2) of section 41 of the Act, the Minister may at any time, by notice in the Gazette, direct that a crematorium, other than a crematorium situated within the boundaries of a closed cemetery or closed burial ground or a crematorium to which subsection (3) of that section applies, be closed if—
(a)
the crematorium authority, or any member, servant, or agent thereof, has been convicted of an offence under section 56 of the Act in relation to that crematorium; or
(b)
the local authority within whose area the crematorium is situated so requests and the Minister is satisfied that such closure is expedient in the interests of health or by reason of a change in the character of the locality.
(3A)
The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, revoke a direction made under subclause (3) if the Minister is satisfied that the matters that led to the decision to close the crematorium have been remedied.
(4)
Every crematorium authority shall maintain every crematorium under its control in good working order and in a clean and orderly condition and shall provide such competent attendants as may be necessary.
(5)
On the closing of a crematorium otherwise than pursuant to subsection (2) of section 41 of the Act or subclause (3) of this regulation, the crematorium authority shall forthwith give notice of such closure to the Minister in writing.
(6)
Without prejudice to section 52 of the Act, or to section 128 of the Health Act 1956, any Medical Officer of Health or any health protection officer or any other person authorised in writing in that behalf by the Medical Officer of Health may at all reasonable times enter and inspect any crematorium.
Regulation 3 heading: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 5(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 3(1): revoked, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 5(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 3(2): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 5(3) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 3(3A): inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 5(4) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 3(6): amended, on 26 July 1988, pursuant to section 2(5) of the Health Amendment Act 1988 (1988 No 99).
4 Restrictions on cremation
(1)
Except with the permission of the Medical Officer of Health, no cremation shall be carried out elsewhere than in an approved crematorium.
(2)
(3)
In relation to cremation elsewhere than in an approved crematorium, a Medical Officer of Health shall in respect of the cremation have all the powers, duties, and discretions conferred on a Medical Referee by regulation 7 so far as the same are applicable.
(4)
In the case of a body that has been buried for not less than 1 year, the Minister, or any person to whom the powers conferred on the Minister by section 51 of the Act have been delegated under clause 5 of Schedule 6 of the Public Service Act 2020, may, in any licence authorising the disinterment of the body, authorise the cremation of the body without the permission of the Medical Referee or the Medical Officer of Health and may impose such conditions as he sees fit with respect to that cremation, and, in any such case, the provisions of these regulations shall be read subject to any such authority or conditions.
(5)
Except as provided in subclause (4), nothing in these regulations shall affect or derogate from the provisions of section 51 of the Act.
(6)
Notwithstanding anything in subclause (2), the body of a stillborn child may be cremated without the permission of the Medical Referee if there is delivered to the crematorium authority either a written certificate or a statutory declaration in accordance with and containing the particulars required by section 46A(1)(a) or (b) of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964.
Regulation 4(4): amended, on 7 August 2020, by section 135 of the Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40).
Regulation 4(6): amended, on 25 January 2009, by regulation 5(3) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 4(6): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 5(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
5 Application for cremation
(1)
No cremation shall be carried out unless application therefor has been made in form A of Schedule 1 and the information indicated in that form has been duly furnished and the form has been duly signed.
(2)
Subject to subclause (3), the application shall be signed by an executor or a near relative of the deceased person.
(3)
The application may be signed by a person other than a person referred to in subclause (2) if the crematorium authority is satisfied that that person may reasonably make the application and that sufficient reason is given on the application why it is not signed by an executor or a near relative.
(4)
The applicant’s signature shall be made or acknowledged by him in the presence of a witness who shall himself sign the application in that capacity. The witness shall add to his signature his place of residence and calling or description.
(5)
If it is intended that the cremation shall take place at a crematorium, the application shall be addressed to the crematorium authority, and, if it is intended that the cremation shall take place elsewhere than at a crematorium, the application shall be addressed to the Medical Officer of Health.
6 Appointment of Medical Referees
(1)
Every crematorium authority shall have, in respect of every crematorium under its control, a Medical Referee and a Deputy Medical Referee, and may, if and to the extent that the Minister thinks fit, have a Second Deputy Medical Referee in respect of any such crematorium.
(1A)
Without limiting the powers of the Referees appointed under subclause (1), every crematorium authority may, if and to the extent that the Minister thinks fit, appoint, in respect of any crematorium under its control, a Medical Referee, a Deputy Medical Referee, and a Second Deputy Medical Referee to exercise the respective functions of those officers in any specified place.
(2)
No person shall be appointed to be a Medical Referee, a Deputy Medical Referee, or a Second Deputy Medical Referee, unless he is a medical practitioner of not less than 5 years standing and possesses such experience and qualifications as will fit him for the discharge of the duties imposed on him by these regulations.
(3)
A Deputy Medical Referee shall act under these regulations only when the Medical Referee, whose deputy he is, is absent, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable, or in any case in which the Medical Referee has been the medical attendant of the deceased, and a Second Deputy Medical Referee shall so act only when both the Medical Referee and the Deputy Medical Referee are absent, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable, or in any case where one of them is absent, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable, and the other of them has been the medical attendant of the deceased.
(4)
A Medical Referee or Deputy Medical Referee or Second Deputy Medical Referee may, if otherwise qualified, be a person holding the office of coroner or Medical Officer of Health or medical superintendent of a hospital or any other office.
(5)
Each Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, and Second Deputy Medical Referee shall be appointed by the crematorium authority for which he will act, subject to the approval of the Director-General of Health in each particular case:
provided that it shall not be necessary for any such approval to be obtained in the case of Medical Referees, Deputy Medical Referees, and Second Deputy Medical Referees, holding office as such at the commencement of these regulations.
(6)
A Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, or Second Deputy Medical Referee, appointed by one crematorium authority in respect of one crematorium, may be appointed as Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, or Second Deputy Medical Referee by another crematorium authority or in respect of any other crematorium.
(7)
The Minister may at any time suspend a Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, or Second Deputy Medical Referee from discharging any duties under these regulations, and no person shall act in any such capacity while so suspended or if he ceases to be registered as a medical practitioner or is suspended from practice as a medical practitioner.
(8)
A Medical Referee, or (in the circumstances set out in subclause (3)) a Deputy Medical Referee or a Second Deputy Medical Referee, may act under these regulations for a crematorium authority other than the crematorium authority by which he has been appointed or in respect of any crematorium, but no crematorium authority shall act on the permission of any person who is not known to it to be a Medical Referee or with whose signature it is unfamiliar.
(9)
Every Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, and Second Deputy Medical Referee shall be remunerated in accordance with such arrangements, if any, as may be made between him and any crematorium authority for which he acts.
(10)
Every Medical Referee, Deputy Medical Referee, and Second Deputy Medical Referee holding office as such at the commencement of these regulations shall be deemed to have been appointed under these regulations.
(11)
Notwithstanding anything in subclauses (1) to (10), a Medical Officer of Health may, in any case of emergency, exercise the powers, duties, and discretions conferred on a Medical Referee by regulation 7.
Regulation 6(1): replaced, on 1 November 1980, by regulation 3 of the Cremation Regulations 1973, Amendment No 1 (SR 1980/208).
Regulation 6(1A): inserted, on 1 November 1980, by regulation 3 of the Cremation Regulations 1973, Amendment No 1 (SR 1980/208).
7 Duties of Medical Referee
(1)
A Medical Referee must not permit any cremation unless a certificate in form AB of Schedule 1 has been given by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner, and unless—
(a)
the death has not been, and is not required to be, reported under the Coroners Act 2006 to a coroner, and a certificate in form B of Schedule 1 has been given by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who is required or permitted by section 46B, 46C, or 46CA of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 to give a certificate of cause of death (as defined in section 2(1) of that Act) for the death; or
(b)
the death has been reported under the Coroners Act 2006 to a coroner, and a certificate in form C of Schedule 1 has been given by a coroner.
(1A)
Despite subclause (1), a Medical Referee may permit a cremation if—
(a)
regulation 7A applies and a certificate in form BA of Schedule 1 has been given by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who is required or permitted by section 46B(2) of the Act to give a certificate of cause of death for the death; and
(b)
the death has not been, and is not required to be, reported under the Coroners Act 2006 to a coroner.
(2)
The Medical Referee shall, in every case where he considers it necessary, require to be delivered to him a statutory declaration or other evidence as to the identity of the deceased.
(3)
The Medical Referee shall not act in any case in which he attended the deceased as a medical practitioner during the deceased’s last illness, but this subclause shall not apply in the case of a person dying in a hospital carried on by Health New Zealand established by the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, of which the Medical Referee is the medical superintendent, if the deceased has been attended also by another medical practitioner, whether a member of the hospital staff or not.
(4)
The Medical Referee shall discharge the following further duties:
(a)
he shall, before permitting a cremation, examine the application and certificates and ascertain that they are in conformity with these regulations and that the inquiry made by any person giving a certificate in the said form B or form BA has been adequate. The Medical Referee may make any inquiry with regard to the application and any certificate that he may think necessary:
(b)
in any case in which a coroner has not given a certificate in the said form C, the Medical Referee shall not permit the cremation unless he is satisfied that the fact and cause of death have been definitely ascertained:
(c)
if it appears that death was due to poison, to violence, to any illegal operation, or to privation or neglect, or if there is any suspicious circumstance whatsoever, whether revealed in the certificates or otherwise coming to his knowledge, or if for any other reason the death has been or ought to be reported to a coroner under the Coroners Act 2006 or any other enactment, he shall not permit the cremation until a certificate has been given in the said form C or the coroner has otherwise notified the Medical Referee that he does not intend to open an inquiry.
(5)
If in any case—
(a)
to which paragraph (c) of subclause (4) does not apply; or
(b)
to which the said paragraph (c) applies and in which the coroner has notified the Medical Referee that he does not intend to give a certificate in the said form C—
(c)
[Revoked]the Medical Referee is not satisfied that the cause of death has been definitely ascertained, the Medical Referee shall not permit the cremation unless a post-mortem examination has been made by a medical practitioner expert in pathology appointed by a crematorium authority, or, in case of emergency or in case of cremations taking place elsewhere than in an approved crematorium, by a medical practitioner expert in pathology appointed by the Medical Referee, and a certificate as to the cause of death has been given by such medical practitioner in form E of Schedule 1.
(6)
(7)
In the case of a person who has died in any place outside New Zealand, the Medical Referee may accept a declaration containing the particulars required by form A of Schedule 1, if it purports to have been made before any person having authority in that place to administer an oath or take a declaration, and he may accept certificates in the said form B or the said form E or certificates which, in his opinion, are substantially equivalent thereto, signed by any person shown to his satisfaction to possess qualifications substantially equivalent to those required by these regulations to be possessed by any person giving any such certificate in New Zealand.
(8)
If the Medical Referee decides to permit any cremation he shall complete form F of Schedule 1 in duplicate and shall send one copy to an attendant at the crematorium and retain the other copy with the application.
(9)
Notwithstanding anything in these regulations a Medical Referee may refuse to permit a cremation without stating any reason.
Regulation 7(1): replaced, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(1): amended, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 5 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Regulation 7(1)(a): amended, on 6 November 2021, by section 41 of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (2019 No 67).
Regulation 7(1)(a): amended, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 5 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Regulation 7(1)(a): amended, on 31 January 2018, by section 11 of the Burial and Cremation Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 74).
Regulation 7(1)(a): amended, on 25 January 2009, by regulation 6(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(1A): inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 6(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 7(3): amended, on 1 July 2022, by section 104 of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 (2022 No 30).
Regulation 7(4)(a): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 6(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Regulation 7(4)(c): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(3)(a) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(4)(c): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(3)(b) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(4)(c): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(3)(c) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(5)(b): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(4) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(5)(c): revoked, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(5) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Regulation 7(6): amended, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 6(6) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
7A Deaths from natural causes in long-term residential care or specialist palliative care
(1)
If this regulation applies, a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who is required or permitted by section 46B(2) of the Act to give a certificate of cause of death for a death may give a certificate in form BA of Schedule 1.
(2)
This regulation applies if—
(a)
the deceased was, at the time of their death, receiving—
(i)
long-term residential care in New Zealand; or
(ii)
specialist palliative care in New Zealand; and
(b)
a health practitioner has identified the body and considers that the circumstances of the death are consistent with the deceased dying from natural causes; and
(c)
the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner does not consider that the death is unexpected.
Regulation 7A: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 7 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
8 Disposal of ashes
(1)
After a cremation the crematorium authority may deliver the ashes into the charge of the person who applied for the cremation if he makes application in that behalf.
(2)
If not so delivered, they shall be retained by the crematorium authority, and, in the absence of any special arrangement for their burial or preservation, they shall, at the discretion of that authority, be retained in a columbary at the crematorium or be decently interred in some cemetery or burial ground or in land adjoining the crematorium reserved for the burial of ashes.
(3)
In the case of ashes left temporarily in the charge of the crematorium authority, and not removed within a reasonable time, a fortnight’s notice shall be sent by registered letter addressed to the person who applied for the cremation before the ashes are interred.
(4)
In the case of an application for the delivery of ashes made by any person other than the person who applied for the cremation or, if objection be made by any person to the delivery of the ashes to the person who applied for the cremation, the crematorium authority shall satisfy itself of the propriety of any delivery of the ashes required of it and shall act accordingly.
(5)
A receipt for the delivery of ashes shall be signed by the person receiving the same, and retained with the records relating to the cremation.
(6)
This regulation shall not apply to cremations taking place elsewhere than in an approved crematorium.
9 Records and register
(1)
The crematorium authority shall appoint a registrar who shall keep in form H of Schedule 1 a register of all cremations taking place at the crematorium. He shall make the entries relating to each cremation immediately the cremation has taken place, except the final entries, which he shall make as soon as the ashes have been delivered to any person or otherwise finally disposed of.
(2)
The Medical Referee shall, after determining an application for cremation, deliver to the registrar all documents held by him in connection with the application (whether or not he permits the cremation) except the copy of the form of permission to cremate sent to an attendant pursuant to subclause (8) of regulation 7.
(3)
All applications, certificates, statutory declarations, and other documents relating to any cremation, whether that cremation is carried out pursuant to these regulations or pursuant to another enactment, shall be marked with a number corresponding to the number in the register, and shall be filed in order and shall be carefully preserved by the cremation authority. All such registers and documents shall be open to inspection at any reasonable hour by any constable, Medical Officer of Health, health protection officer, or any other person appointed for that purpose by the Minister.
(4)
When any crematorium is closed the crematorium authority shall send all registers and documents relating to the cremations which have taken place therein to the Minister, or otherwise dispose of them as he may direct.
(5)
In the application of this regulation to cremations taking place elsewhere than in an approved crematorium, the Medical Officer of Health shall carry out the duties thereby imposed on registrars as nearly as may be.
Regulation 9(3): amended, on 1 October 2008, pursuant to section 116(a)(ii) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).
Regulation 9(3): amended, on 26 July 1988, pursuant to section 2(5) of the Health Amendment Act 1988 (1988 No 99).
10 Duty of attendant
The attendant or other person in charge of a crematorium at the time of any cremation shall take all reasonable steps to satisfy himself that the body presented to him for cremation is the body referred to in the copy of the permission to cremate sent to him pursuant to subclause (8) of regulation 7 and for that purpose may require the opening of any coffin or casket and the delivery to him of a statutory declaration or other evidence as to the identity of the deceased.
11 Cremation elsewhere than in a crematorium
(1)
If it is represented in the application for cremation that the deceased belonged to a religious denomination whose tenets require the burning of the body to be carried out as a religious rite elsewhere than in an approved crematorium, the Medical Officer of Health may permit the cremation to be carried out at such place as he may appoint for the purpose.
(2)
Any permission given under subclause (1) shall be in form G of Schedule 1 and may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as the Medical Officer of Health may consider necessary in the interests of health and decency with regard to the time of the cremation, the circumstances attending the cremation, and the subsequent disposal of the ashes and other material connected with the cremation.
(3)
Where any such permission is granted for cremation in a cemetery or burial ground, the cremation shall be carried out in the particular place and under the conditions imposed either generally or in respect of any particular case by the local authority or other person or body of persons having the control and management of that cemetery or burial ground.
(4)
Every person making application for cremation pursuant to this regulation shall comply with any conditions imposed by the Medical Officer of Health under subclause (2) as well as with any condition referred to in subclause (3) that may be applicable.
12 Provision for special circumstances
Notwithstanding anything in these regulations—
(a)
if the Medical Referee is satisfied that any deceased person was at the time of his death suffering from anthrax, plague, cholera, small-pox, or yellow fever, he may, with the approval of the Medical Officer of Health, permit the cremation of the body without an application under regulation 5 and without complying with regulation 7:
(b)
the Minister may, in the event of an epidemic or for other sufficient reason, permit cremations to be carried out, or authorise Medical Referees to permit cremations to be carried out, in any place, without an application under regulation 5 and without complying with regulation 7, either generally within the district of a local authority or in relation to particular cases or classes of cases or particular places subject to such exceptions or conditions as he may see fit to specify or impose, and any such permission or authorisation shall have effect according to its tenor.
13 Revocations
The regulations specified in Schedule 2 are hereby revoked.
Schedule 1 Forms
Schedule 1 heading: replaced, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 6 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Form A Application for cremation
Consecutive number [to be inserted on receipt of application]
I, [full name of applicant], [address], [occupation], apply to the crematorium authority of the [name] Crematorium (or as the case may be) to undertake the cremation of the body of [full name of deceased], [address], [occupation], [age], [sex], [relationship status, ie, whether the deceased was or had been married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship; or was the surviving spouse or partner of a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; or had never been married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship].
The true answers to the questions set out below are as follows:
1
Are you an executor of the deceased? [specify]
2
Are you a relative of the deceased? [specify]
If so, state the relationship:
If you are not an executor or a near relative*, state why this application is being made by you and not by an executor or a near relative*:
3
Have the near relatives* of the deceased been informed of the proposed cremation? [specify]
4
If the application is not made by an executor, is there an executor of the deceased? [specify]
If there is an executor has he been informed of the proposed cremation? [specify]
5
To the best of your knowledge and belief has any near relative or executor of the deceased expressed any objection to the proposed cremation? [specify]
If so, on what ground? [specify]
6
What, to the best of your knowledge and belief, was the date and hour of the death of the deceased?
Date:
Hour:
7
Where did the deceased die? [Give address, and say whether own residence, lodgings, hotel, hospital, nursing-home, etc]
8
Do you know or have you any reason to suspect that the death of the deceased was due, directly or indirectly, to—
(a)
violence:
(b)
poison:
(c)
privation or neglect:
(d)
illegal operation? [specify]
9
Do you know any reason whatever for supposing that an examination of the body of the deceased may be desirable? [specify]
9A
Do you know or have you any reason to suspect that the body of the deceased contains a cardiac pacemaker or other battery-powered device? [specify]
10
Give the name and address of the ordinary medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of the deceased:
11
Give the names and addresses of all the medical practitioners or nurse practitioners who attended the deceased during his (or her) last illness:
12
Who were the persons (if any) present at the time of death? [specify]
13
Was the deceased a member of a religious denomination whose tenets require the burning of the body to be carried out as a religious rite elsewhere than in an approved crematorium? [specify]
If so, give the name by which that religious denomination is known. [specify]
I hereby certify, with a view to procuring the cremation of the body of the above-named deceased, that all the particulars stated above are true, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief no material particular has been omitted.
Date:
Signature:
Witness to Signature:
Name:
Occupation:
Address:
|
*Note The term near relative as used in this form, means— (a)the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner of the deceased, but only if the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner was living together with the deceased immediately before his or her death; and (b)a parent of the deceased; and (c)any child of the deceased who is aged 16 years or over; and (d)any other relative of the deceased who usually resided with him or her. |
Schedule 1 form A heading: replaced, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 7(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Schedule 1 form A: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(1) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Schedule 1 form A: amended, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 7(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Schedule 1 form A: amended, on 30 March 2018, by regulation 7(3) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47).
Schedule 1 form A: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 12 of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).
Schedule 1 form A: amended, on 1 November 1980, by regulation 5 of the Cremation Regulations 1973, Amendment No 1 (SR 1980/208).
Form AB Certificate in relation to cardiac pacemakers and other battery-powered devices
I certify that I have examined the body of [full name], [address], [occupation].
Select the statement that applies.
I am satisfied that the body does not contain a cardiac pacemaker or any other battery-powered device.
or
The body contains a [specify type] cardiac pacemaker or battery-powered device, and I am satisfied that this is not a device that needs to be removed before cremation.
or
The body contains a [specify type] cardiac pacemaker or battery-powered device that must be removed before cremation.
Date:
Signature:
Registered qualifications:
Address:
Schedule 1 form AB: replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Form B Certificate of medical practitioner or nurse practitioner
I have been informed that an application will be made for the cremation of the body of [full name of deceased], [address], [occupation].
As a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who is required or permitted by section 46B, 46C, or 46CA of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 to give a certificate of cause of death (as defined in section 2(1) of that Act) for the death, and who has seen and identified the body after death, I give the following answers to the questions set out below:
1
On what date and at what hour did the deceased die? [specify]
2
Where did the deceased die? [give address and say whether own residence, lodgings, hotel, hospital, nursing home, etc]
3
Are you a relative of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, state the relationship:
4
Have you, so far as you are aware, any pecuniary interest in the death of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, specify the nature of the interest:
5
Were you the ordinary medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, for how long? [state how many weeks, months, or years]
6
Did you attend the deceased before the deceased’s death? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, for how long? [state how many weeks, months, or years]
7
If you attended the deceased before their death, when did you last see the deceased alive? [state how many hours or days before death]
| 8 | (a)How soon after death did you see the body? [specify] (b)What steps did you take to satisfy yourself as to the fact of death? [specify] (c)How did you establish the identity of the deceased person? [specify] |
9
What was the direct cause of death? [specify the injury or condition that directly caused the death or assisted dying and the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days]
10
What was the antecedent cause of death (if any)? [specify any morbid condition(s) that gave rise to the direct cause of death (from most recent to oldest) and the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days]
11
Did another condition contribute to death, eg, another acute or chronic disease, substance use or abuse, or a dangerous occupation? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, which condition and what was the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days? [specify]
12
In relation to the causes of death and the duration of such causes, state to what extent your answers are founded on your own observations or on statements made by others. If on statements made by others, give their names and their relationship to the deceased: [specify]
13
What was the mode of death if not by assisted dying? [specify]
14
Did the deceased undergo any operation during the final illness or within a year before death? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, what was its nature, when was it performed, and who performed it? [specify]
15
Who nursed the deceased during their last illness? [If the death occurred in a hospital, rest home, or hospice facility, this question may be answered by referring generally to the nursing staff in a specified ward, rest home, or hospice facility, but otherwise give names and say whether professional nurse, relative, etc. If the illness was a long one, this question should be answered with reference to the period of 4 weeks before death.]
16
What medical practitioners or nurse practitioners (besides yourself, if applicable) attended the deceased during their last illness? [specify]
17
In view of your knowledge of the deceased’s habits and constitution, do you feel any doubt as to the cause of the deceased’s death? [specify]
18
Do you know, or have you any reason to suspect, that the death of the deceased was due, directly or indirectly, to—
(a)
violence: Y/N*
(b)
poison: Y/N*
(c)
privation or neglect: Y/N*
(d)
an illegal operation: Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If you answered yes to any of paragraphs (a) to (d), give reasons.
19
Have you any reason to think that there should be a further examination of the body? [specify]
20
Have you given the certificate of cause of death (as defined in section 2(1) of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964) for the death? [specify]
I certify that—
(a)
the answers given above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief; and
(b)
I am not aware of any circumstances that give rise to a suspicion that the death was due wholly or partly to any cause other than that stated that would mean it is undesirable to cremate the body.
Date:
Signature:
Registered qualifications:
Address:
Note
This certificate must be handed or sent in a closed envelope by the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who signs it to a Medical Referee.
Schedule 1 form B: replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Form BA Certificate of medical practitioner or nurse practitioner (deaths from natural causes in long-term residential care or specialist palliative care if medical practitioner or nurse practitioner has not seen and identified body)
I have been informed that an application will be made for the cremation of the body of [full name of deceased], [address], [occupation].
As a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who is required or permitted by section 46B(2) of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 to give a certificate of cause of death (as defined in section 2(1) of that Act) for the death, I give the following answers to the questions set out below:
1
On what date and at what hour did the deceased die? [specify]
2
Where did the deceased die? [give address and say whether own residence, rest home, hospital, etc]
3
Are you a relative of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, state the relationship:
4
Have you, so far as you are aware, any pecuniary interest in the death of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, specify the nature of the interest:
5
Were you the ordinary medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of the deceased? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, for how long? [state how many weeks, months, or years]
6
For how long did you attend the deceased before the deceased’s death? [state how many weeks, months, or years]
7
When did you last see the deceased alive? [state how many hours or days before death]
8
Has a health practitioner identified the body? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, answer the following questions:
(a)
Who was it? [specify the name, profession, registration number, and contact details of the health practitioner]
(b)
Did the health practitioner verify that the deceased is dead? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
(c)
Did the health practitioner consider that the circumstances of the death were consistent with the deceased dying from natural causes? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
(d)
What enquiries did you make to determine that the health practitioner identified the body, verified the death of the deceased, and assessed that the circumstances of the death were consistent with the deceased dying from natural causes? [specify]
9
What was the direct cause of death? [specify the condition that directly caused the death and the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days]
10
What was the antecedent cause of death (if any)? [specify any morbid condition(s) that gave rise to the direct cause of death (from most recent to oldest) and the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days]
11
Did another condition contribute to death, eg, another acute or chronic disease, substance use or abuse, or a dangerous occupation? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, which condition and what was the time interval between the onset of the condition and death in years, months, or days? [specify]
12
In relation to the causes of death and the duration of such causes, state to what extent your answers are founded on your own observations or on statements made by others. If on statements made by others, give their names and their relationship to the deceased: [specify]
13
What was the mode of death? [specify]
14
Did the deceased undergo any operation during the final illness or within a year before death? Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If yes, what was its nature, when was it performed, and who performed it? [specify]
15
Who nursed the deceased during their last illness? [If the death occurred in a hospital, rest home, or hospice facility, this question may be answered by referring generally to the nursing staff in a specified ward, rest home, or hospice facility, but otherwise give names and say whether professional nurse, etc. If the illness was a long one, this question should be answered with reference to the period of 4 weeks before death.]
16
Besides yourself, which other medical practitioners or nurse practitioners (if any) attended the deceased during their last illness? [specify]
17
In view of your knowledge of the deceased’s habits and constitution, do you feel any doubt as to the cause of the deceased’s death? [specify]
18
Do you know, or have you any reason to suspect, that the death of the deceased was due, directly or indirectly, to—
(a)
violence: Y/N*
(b)
poison: Y/N*
(c)
privation or neglect: Y/N*
(d)
an illegal operation: Y/N*
| *Select one. |
If you answered yes to any of paragraphs (a) to (d), give reasons.
19
Have you any reason to think that there should be a further examination of the body? [specify]
20
Have you given the certificate of cause of death (as defined in section 2(1) of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964) for the death? [specify]
I certify that—
(a)
the answers given above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief; and
(b)
in my opinion the death was not unexpected; and
(c)
I am not aware of any circumstances that give rise to a suspicion that the death was due wholly or partly to any cause other than that stated that would mean it is undesirable to cremate the body.
Date:
Signature:
Registered qualifications:
Address:
Note
This certificate must be handed or sent in a closed envelope by the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who signs it to a Medical Referee.
Schedule 1 form BA: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(2) of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81).
Form C Coroner’s certificate
I certify that—
(a)
a death has been reported under the Coroners Act 2006 to a coroner, and the details of the death are as follows:
Full name of deceased:
Late of: [full residential address]
Occupation:
Sex: [male or female]
Date of birth:
Date of death:
Place of death:
(b)
I am satisfied that there are no circumstances likely to call for an examination or, as the case may be, a further examination, of the body.
Signed
Signed at [location] on [date]
Signature:
Name:
(Coroner)
Schedule 1 form C: replaced, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 9 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Form D Justice’s certificate
[Revoked]Schedule 1 form D: revoked, on 20 November 2008, by regulation 10 of the Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410).
Form E Certificate after post-mortem examination
I hereby certify that, acting under the instructions of *[full name], a Medical Referee under the Cremation Regulations 1973, I made a post-mortem examination of the body of [full name], [address], [occupation].
The result of the examination is as follows:
I am satisfied that the cause of death was [specify] (and that there is no reason for making any toxicological analysis or for reporting the death to the coroner).†
Date:
Signature:
Registered qualifications:
Address:
*Where the Medical Referee himself gives the certificate, strike out the words “under the instructions of”and insert “as”. |
†The words “for making any toxicological analysis or”should be deleted where a toxicological analysis has been made and its result is stated in this certificate or in a certificate attached to it, and the words “or for reporting the death to the coroner”should be deleted if the death has already been so reported. |
Form F Permission to cremate
Whereas application has been made for the cremation of the body of [full name], [address], [occupation].
And whereas I have satisfied myself—
1
that all the requirements of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and the Cremation Regulations 1973 have been complied with; and
2
*that the cause of death has been definitely ascertained (or that a certificate in form C has been given by a coroner); and
3
that no reason exists for any further inquiry or examination:
Now, therefore, I hereby permit the cremation authority of the crematorium at [location] to cremate the said body.
Date:
Signature:
*Medical referee (or Deputy Medical Referee or Second Deputy Medical Referee or Medical Officer of Health).
Note
1
Delete all inappropriate alternatives in both places where an asterisk appears.
2
This permission should be signed in duplicate; one copy to be retained with the application papers and the other sent by the Medical Referee to the attendant at the crematorium. The Medical Referee should attach to the application papers a statement of any special inquiries which he may have seen fit to make before issuing the permission to cremate.
Form G Permission to cremate elsewhere than in an approved crematorium
Whereas application has been made for the cremation of the body of [full name], [address], [occupation]:
And whereas I have satisfied myself—
1
that all the requirements of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and the Cremation Regulations 1973 have been complied with; and
2
*that the cause of death has been definitely ascertained (or that the child was stillborn or that a certificate in form C has been given by a coroner); and
3
that no reason exists for any further inquiry or examination:
And whereas it has been represented to me that the said deceased belonged to a religious denomination whose tenets require the burning of the body to be carried out as a religious rite elsewhere than in an approved crematorium:
Now, therefore, I hereby permit the body of the said deceased to be cremated at [location] subject to the following conditions:
Conditions
Date:
Signature:
Medical Officer of Health
Note
1
Delete all inappropriate alternatives where the asterisk appears.
2
This permission should be signed in duplicate; one copy to be retained with the application papers and the other delivered to the person or persons signing the application.
Form H Register of cremations
Consecutive number of application for cremation:
Full name of deceased:
Sex:
Age:
Date of death:
Place of death:
Date of Medical Referee’s permission or other authority:
Date of cremation:
Method of disposal of ashes:
Date of disposal of ashes:
Signature of person receiving ashes:
Ground of recipient’s claim. (ie, applicant for cremation; relative of deceased—relationship to be stated, etc)
Schedule 2 Regulations revoked
Cremation Regulations 1939 (SR 1939/228) (Reprinted with amendments Nos 1 and 2 (SR 1949/122))
Cremation Regulations 1939, Amendment No 1 (SR 1945/182)
Cremation Regulations 1939, Amendment No 3 (SR 1954/118)
Cremation Regulations 1939, Amendment No 4 (SR 1957/160)
P G Millen,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Date of notification in Gazette: 21 June 1973.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Cremation Regulations 1973 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Cremation Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/81)
Coroners Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 8): section 36
Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 (2022 No 30): section 104
Public Service Act 2020 (2020 No 40): section 135
End of Life Choice Act 2019 (2019 No 67): section 41
Cremation Amendment Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/47)
Burial and Cremation Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 74): section 11
Cremation Amendment Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/410)
Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72): section 116(a)(ii)
Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3): section 12
Health Amendment Act 1988 (1988 No 99): section 2(5)
Cremation Regulations 1973, Amendment No 1 (SR 1980/208)
Versions
Cremation Regulations 1973
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