Funeral directors are pleased the Government has agreed to look at how to make funerals more affordable.
The Funeral Directors Association and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have met to discuss a growing gap between basic funeral costs and a Work & Income grant.
The grant, which is up to $1971 depending on a person's income, covers expenses like preparing the body and buying a casket and burial plot.
Association chief executive Katrina Shanks said a basic funeral costs at least $2000 but the price is going up, especially for burial plots, so some people are cremated against their wishes.
Ms Shanks said the Work & Income grant has not gone up in more than a decade.