Crematoriums on the Kāpiti Coast
Two privately run crematoriums operate on the Kāpiti Coast:
- Kāpiti Crematorium at Awa Tapu Cemetery, operated by Kāpiti Coast Funeral Home
- Kaitawa Crematorium at Waikanae Cemetery, operated by Waikanae Funeral Home.
For more information about cremations on the Kāpiti Coast please contact one of these funeral homes.
Collecting ashes after cremation
You can usually collect ashes 24 hours after the cremation.
If you need them earlier, talk to your funeral director about whether they can make special arrangements.
The crematorium can also deliver the ashes to a place chosen by the family or executors.
If the family has not provided instructions, the funeral director is responsible for collecting the ashes or arranging delivery. The ashes may instead be sent to the funeral director at their expense.
For questions about collecting or delivering ashes, contact the funeral home or crematorium that carried out the cremation.
Scattering of ashes
There is no designated area for scattering ashes in our cemeteries at the moment.
We plan to provide an ash-scattering area at Awa Tapu Cemetery in Paraparaumu. The area will be planted with native vegetation and will open for ash scattering once the plants are established and reach about 2–3 metres high.
This information applies to Council cemeteries. If you want to scatter ashes somewhere else on the Kāpiti Coast, check the rules for that location first. Different rules may apply depending on who owns or manages the land.
Interring ashes in one of our cemeteries
You can inter ashes in:
a designated ashes plot
some existing family burial plots.
The options available depend on the cemetery, plot type and available space.
Contact our cemetery team if you’re not sure which option is suitable.
Ashes plots
You can inter:
- up to four sets of ashes in an ashes beam plot
- up to two sets of ashes in an ashes garden plot.
See Types of cemetery plots for more information about plot types and availability.
Existing family burial plots
You may be able to inter ashes in an existing family burial plot.
For example, if one family member has already been buried in a plot and another family member is later cremated, their ashes may be able to be interred in the same plot.
Contact our cemetery team before making arrangements. We can check the cemetery record, plot type and whether another interment can take place in the plot.
How to book an ashes interment
You need to book an ashes interment with us.
Use our online cemetery interment form to apply.
See Cemetery enquiries and bookings to apply or contact our cemetery team.
When you book, tell us:
- who the ashes are for
- which cemetery and plot you want to use, if you know
- your preferred date and time
- whether family or friends will attend
- any other information asked for on the interment form.
We’ll check the information and confirm the arrangements with you.
Attended interments
For an attended ashes interment, family and friends can be present.
Our cemetery staff prepare the grave before the service and reinstate it afterwards.
Unattended interments
You can also choose an unattended interment.
Our cemetery staff will inter the ashes on your behalf without family or friends attending.
Booking deadlines
We process cemetery bookings Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
We need all required documents at least 24 hours before an ashes interment.
If you want an interment the next day, send us the interment form and contact us straight away.
For a Monday interment, we must receive your application before 3pm on the previous Friday.
Allow extra time around public holidays.
Ashes interment service times
Standard ashes interment services are available:
- Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm
Saturday, 9am–1pm.
We may be able to make special arrangements outside these hours, including on weekends and public holidays.
Extra charges apply outside standard hours.
Costs
Fees apply for ashes interments and some other cemetery services.
See our districtwide cemetery charges for current fees.
If you’re using a funeral director, ask whether their quote includes Council cemetery fees.
Contact our cemetery team
Contact us if you need help with:
- booking an ashes interment
- checking an existing family burial plot
- choosing an ashes plot
- cemetery records or plot information
- service times or special arrangements.
See Cemetery enquiries and bookings to apply or contact our cemetery team.
You can also contact us by:
Phone: 04 296 4700
Freephone and afterhours: 0800 486 486