What’s More Expensive: Your Wedding or Your Funeral?
Published on Fri Feb 14 2025 in Money
With Valentine’s Day here and wedding season in full swing across New Zealand, love is certainly in the air. It’s a beautiful time filled with romance, celebrations, and lifelong commitments, as couples embark on their journey together. But while weddings bring joy, they also come with a significant financial cost—much like another major life event that’s often overlooked: funerals.
It’s one of life’s big milestones—your wedding, a day filled with love, celebration, and, let’s be honest, a pretty hefty price tag. But what about the other major event in life that no one likes to think about—your funeral? Surprisingly, in New Zealand, the cost of a funeral can rival (or even exceed) that of a wedding. So, which one is more expensive, and how can you be prepared?
The Cost of a Wedding in New Zealand
Weddings are big business, and in New Zealand, couples can spend anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 (or more!) on their big day. Here’s where the money typically goes:
• Venue hire – A beautiful spot can set you back anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000.
• Catering – Feeding your guests isn’t cheap, with costs often exceeding $100 per person.
• Dress & Suit – A wedding dress alone can range from $2,000 to $5,000.
• Photography & Videography – Capturing memories professionally can cost upwards of $5,000.
• Flowers, décor & entertainment – The little details add up, often pushing the budget higher.
With costs like these, it’s no wonder many couples start their married life with a significantly lighter wallet!
The Cost of a Funeral in New Zealand
Funerals, on the other hand, are often an unexpected expense, and they don’t come cheap. The average funeral in New Zealand can cost anywhere between $8,000 and $15,000, and sometimes even more. Here’s what contributes to the cost:
• Coffin – A standard coffin can cost between $1,500 and $6,000.
• Funeral director fees – Professional services, including paperwork and coordination, can cost from $3,000 upwards.
• Burial or cremation – A burial plot can cost up to $5,000, while cremation fees can range between $600 and $2,000.
• Catering, venue & service costs – Just like a wedding, food, venue hire, and transport add to the final bill.
• Headstones or memorials – These can cost several thousand dollars on their own.
Unlike a wedding, where you have months (or even years) to save up and plan, funerals often come unexpectedly, making financial preparedness even more crucial.
So, Which Costs More?
While weddings often come with a higher price tag, they are planned events where costs can be adjusted, savings can be used, and contributions from family can help. Funerals, on the other hand, are often unplanned, and the financial burden falls on grieving loved ones who may struggle to cover the expenses at short notice.
How Funeral Insurance Can Help
This is where Funeral Insurance becomes a game-changer. With a small, manageable premium, you can ensure that your loved ones aren’t left with a hefty bill when the time comes. Funeral Insurance provides a lump sum payout to cover funeral costs and related expenses, easing the financial stress during an already difficult time.
At Momentum Life, we believe that preparing for the future is one of the best gifts you can give your family. Our Funeral Insurance plans are designed to provide peace of mind, ensuring that when the time comes, your loved ones can focus on what truly matters—honouring your life and legacy, not worrying about costs.
Final Thoughts
While weddings are expensive, they are a joyous event that couples can save and plan for. Funerals, however, often come as an unexpected financial shock. The good news is that with Funeral Insurance, you can take control and make sure your family isn’t left struggling with sudden costs.
Want to learn more? Get in touch with Momentum Life today and ensure you and your loved ones are financially prepared for whatever life brings.
📞 0800 111 679
📧 customercare@momentumlife.co.nz
🌐 https://www.momentumlife.co.nz/Buy
The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. The information is of a general nature and does not constitute financial advice or other professional advice. To the extent that any of the content constitutes financial advice, it is limited to Momentum Life products only and does not consider your specific financial needs or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek independent professional advice, if required.
All product information is correct at the time this article was published. For current product information, please visit the Momentum Life website.