Pete talks with Te Roopu Moana, a funeral professional who brings a wealth of knowledge from both traditional Māori and contemporary funeral practices.

Te Roopu reflects on her formative experiences with death and dying, recounting how her childhood was steeped in the customs of Tangihanga, where she witnessed firsthand the intricate ways families grieve and celebrate their loved ones. This background ignited her curiosity about the funeral industry and the hidden practices that often go unspoken.

In this episode, Te Roopu describes the differences between Māori and Pākehā funeral practices and explains how traditional Maori tangihanga incorporated cultural values such as whānau (family) support, aroha (compassion), and manaakitanga (care for others). She advocates for a DIY approach to funerals, emphasizing the importance of empowering families to engage directly in the care of their loved ones. This empowerment is not just about financial savings; it is also about restoring dignity and personal connection to the process of mourning and remembrance, allowing families to celebrate lives authentically and in accordance with their cultural beliefs.

The episode takes a critical look at how the funeral industry in New Zealand evolved in the wake of collonisation and commercialization. Te Roopu shares insights from her academic research, revealing the detrimental effects of modern practices on traditional Māori values and the emotional well-being of families. She calls for a revival of traditional death care practices, urging listeners to educate themselves and their communities about their rights and options when it comes to funerals.

This episode serves as both a reflection on personal experiences and a rallying cry for change, encouraging families to reclaim their narratives around death and dying, fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and empowerment in the face of loss.

Takeaways:

• The funeral industry in New Zealand is increasingly commercialized, often neglecting traditional Maori practices.
• Te Roopu emphasizes the importance of DIY funerals to empower families in their grieving process.
• Many families are unaware they can take control of their loved one's death care.
• Traditional Maori funerals used natural resources and cultural practices for body preservation.
• Te Roopu's research highlights the loss of traditional knowledge due to colonisation and commercialisation.

Links referenced in this episode:

• deathwithoutdebt.org.nz
• Rangiwhanui Tangihanga Services

Contact Te Roopu admin@rangiwhanui.co.nz

Glossary

kaiārahi (noun) guide, escort, counsellor, conductor, escort, leader, mentor, pilot, usher.

kaumātua (noun) adult, elder, elderly man, elderly woman, old man - a person of status within the whānau.

tangihanga (noun) weeping, crying, funeral, rites for the dead, obsequies - one of the most important institutions in Māori society, with strong cultural imperatives and protocols. Most tangihanga are held on marae. The body is brought onto the marae by the whānau of the deceased and lies in state in an open coffin for about three days in a wharemate. During that time groups of visitors come onto the marae to farewell the deceased with speech making and song. Greenery is the traditional symbol of death, so the women and chief mourners often wear pare kawakawa on their heads. On the night before the burial visitors and locals gather to have a pō mihimihito