Guidance for schools hosting student funerals
The University of Auckland is conducting a study about whānau with lived experience of bereavement, educators, psychologists and funeral directors. The study is looking at co-designing guidance for schools hosting funerals and memorials for students aged 5 -18 years.
What's involved?
The study involves a project co-designing guidance for school peers, parents and communities wanting to mark the passing of a child in a respectful way. The study will include whānau with lived experience of losing a child. Participants can opt to take part in one or more of the project's following three sections:
1. A ten-minute online survey, which is now open, and/or
2. A one-hour interview either in person or online via Zoom, and/or
3. A two-hour co-design hui at a location near you soon.
If you are bereaved by the loss of a child, and would like to find out more, click here.
Eligibility criteria
To participate in this study, you must
- Be a parent, caregiver, or self-defined whānau member who has experienced the death of their school-aged child or young person, aged 5-18 years
- Be aged 18 years or above
- Be living in New Zealand
A $50 koha will be provided for participants in the one-hour interview, and a $100 koha will be offered for those taking part in the co-design hui.
Contact details
Sarah Fortune
Study Coordinator
Email: sarah.fortune@auckland.ac.nz
Further information
This study has been approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee on 24 July 2025 for three years.
Approval number: AH29177