Supporting Whānau with Eco-Friendly Funeral Care
Eco-Funeral Resources is a charitable company established by Te Atawhai Aroha Compassionate Communities Rotorua Trust and Ngā Pou Herenga: the End-of Life and Funeral Guides' Collective. We access and distribute professional grade Cooling Platforms, offering a dignified non invasive alternative to embalming.
These platforms support whānau / family to care for their loved ones at home, on the marae, or in community settings, in ways that are affordable, culturally appropriate, and environmentally conscious.
Why It Matters?
Alleviates funeral hardship
Reduces embalming rates and ensures lower funeral director costs.
Culturally
safe
Supports tikanga Māori, Pacific, and other traditions.
Environmentally respectful
No harmful embalming chemicals.
Community-led
Restores tino rangatiratanga in after-death care, and provides informed choice.
Who We Serve
Our focus is on helping those families with limited means, and those for whom caring for their loved ones after death is culturally preferred, including Māori whānau and Pacific peoples.
We also work alongside iwi, marae, funeral guides, and the emerging national Compassionate Communities network.
Our Impact
Families who have used Cooling Platforms describe them as life-changing — allowing loved ones to remain at home, surrounded by whānau / family and aroha / love, without the pressure of unaffordable costs.
FAQ
What is a Cooling Platform?
A Cooling Platform is a lightweight, portable cooling unit powered by a small, quiet motor. It sits under a coffin, casket, or a tūpāpaku / body wrapped in a shroud to keep the body at a steady temperature between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius.
Why use a Cooling Platform instead of embalming?
Cooling Platforms keep a tūpāpaku / body cool enough to slow natural changes after death without using invasive or toxic chemicals. This gives whānau time to be with their loved one in a more natural and gentle way.
Who can use a Cooling Platform?
Anyone can use these Cooling Platforms by carefully following the instructions.
How can I access a Cooling Platform?
You can purchase one by emailing Kirsty at ecofuneralresources@gmail.com, or hire one through Te Atawhai Aroha or Ngā Pou Herenga: the End-of Life and Funeral Guides' Collective. Contact details for each region are on our website.
