Porirua City Council is warning families to check the credentials of headstone providers after a local family was reportedly left substantially out of pocket without receiving a memorial.
The council said people in Porirua and Kāpiti had been dealing with a family to arrange a headstone for their late mother at a Porirua cemetery.
According to the council, the family paid money but was left without a headstone or memorial. Police may now be involved.
The council is urging anyone arranging a headstone to use a registered monumental mason company that belongs to the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons Association.
The association provides workmanship guarantees and pathways for resolving disputes.
Porirua City Council’s cemeteries team can provide advice before families enter into an agreement with a headstone provider.
The team has an office at Whenua Tapu Cemetery and can be contacted at [email protected].
Anyone who suspects a friend or family member may be dealing with a dishonest or suspicious provider is encouraged to discuss the situation with them and report it to Police.
The council said families arranging memorials for loved ones deserved protection from dishonest operators and should seek advice if they had concerns.