New Zealand launches ‘End of Life’ service to help with bereavements

New Zealand has launched an End of Life service to support citizens when a loved one passes on.

In May, Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne told GovInsider that “the next big thing” in predictive services for the country will focus on the end of life.

“The things you need to know about what happens when someone’s life comes to an end, how you wind up their affairs, have their funeral organised,” Dunne explained. He added that this service would be modelled after SmartStart, the country’s predictive service platform for new parents.

The End of Life service helps New Zealanders in two main ways: they can find out information about what to do and the services available when there is a death in the family, or they can “create and share a personalised plan” of what they want to happen when they themselves pass on, according to the website.

Citizens may sort out financial and legal issues, organise their affairs and choose their final resting place, all on one site.

“Things can be eased for loved ones when they understand more about what’s happening following a death, and what someone’s wishes are,” the website said. New Zealanders may also plan for other unexpected life events, such as contracting a terminal illness; the service will then link them up with relevant funding organisations for financial support.