Here, creativity meets opportunity. Whatever you're building, we're here to help you take the first step with confidence. Driven by curiThe average cost of a funeral in NZ is now around $13 000. Yet, some families are running beautiful, dignified, funeral processes for less than a $2000; in some districts, less than a $1000.

Being part of arranging someone's funeral is a time-old and honoured way of showing respect. The tasks of caring for the body, building a coffin or arranging a shroud, as well as carrying and transporting the deceased, bring families and communities together and bear memories important later in the grieving process.

Our first piece of advice is to be very wary of funeral insurance, at least those schemes offered by companies linked to the funeral industry. This doesn't mean you shouldn't save and plan. Our workshops and booklet cover some options.

The next thing is to consider whether you want cremation or burial. (Other technologies such as water cremation are on the horizon but likely to be expensive in the short term).

80% of New Zealanders get cremated. Though generally cheaper than burial, there is a complication. Cremation requires the sign-off of a second doctor, known as a Medical Referee. The original reason for the second doctor was so everyone could be double sure of the identity of the deceased and the cause of death before the body goes up in smoke. It was – and is - a good idea. The problem is, apart from funeral directors, few have any idea how the system works – most doctors included. Which is why New Zealanders are trapped in the commercial business model.

The other issue with cremation is the crematoriums themselves. Throughout New Zealand, only half of our districts have a council-owned-facility. Not all of these are family friendly, and some are not even operated by the council but instead have been leased to private firms.

At least half of NZ therefore has no choice but to deal with privately owned crematoriums. Few of these are willing to unbundle their services. This is why building your own coffin or casket may not save you money; under package deals the funeral director will charge you for the coffin regardless.

Death Without Debt has three major proposals for local and central Government.

• Take the middleman out from the paperwork process

• Ensure all councils welcome responsible, family-led funeral parties and

• Regulate the industry so that funeral directors, and particularly privately operated crematoriums, unbundle their services.

You can support Death Without Debt's work by subscribing on our website. Subscribing is free. Our website also provides details of our funeral workshops. These run through in detail the many ways you can avoid funeral debt and also provide know-how and confidence about the actual funeral process. The workshops are also a great networking opportunities for people wanting to put together the support to make family-led funerals easier.

Each workshop participant receives our 60 page DIY funeral guide - these are also available by emailing Death Without Debt.

Note that in some districts, direct cremation or “budget” funerals are available for as little as $1.9K, but more normally around $2.5 to $3K. These are very simple; the family ring up the funeral director who then comes and takes the body away for cremation. We suggest tailoring direct cremation packages to your needs. You could, for example, arrange for the funeral director to pick up the body after family and friends have spent a day or three with the deceased – perhaps even from the venue where you've had a funeral service. This allows for ritual - crucial for the long term process of processing the death psychologically or spiritually. Ritual can be anything – a service, prayers, a boozy wake or a living room full of flowers.

Lastly, when it comes to funerals, DIY doesn't mean DIA (Doing It Alone). We're all in together. See you over at www.deathwithoutdebt.org.nz