The Law Commission held a public meeting in Dunedin yesterday seeking feedback on a package of reforms to update the Burials and Cremations Act 1964.
About 20 people, including representatives from the Dunedin City Council, funeral directors, the health sector, Ngai Tahu and a couple concerned at the cost of funerals, attended the forum at Otago Museum.
Law commissioner Wayne Mapp said the commission was seeking responses on the provision of cemeteries and crematoriums, regulation of the funeral industry and decision-making about death and burial.
The national feedback tour aimed to highlight the need for ''more choice and diversity'' in the burial and cremation sector ''and bring the Burials and Cremations Act - which has origins back in the 1880s - to a volume of legislation that meets contemporary demands and meets the nature of our more diverse society'', Dr Mapp said.
An issue paper is available at www.lawcom.govt.nz.
The deadline for submissions is December 20.
