What is a Cooling Platform?
Image used with permission from Korowai Caskets https://www.korowaicaskets.co.nz/
Cooling Platforms are designed to quietly sit underneath a coffin, casket or tūpāpaku / body to keep it cool until cremation or burial.
These can be used as an alternative to embalming enabling you to keep your loved one at home during the entire process.
For Hire
Te Atawhai Aroha and Ngā Pou Herenga: the End-of Life and Funeral Guides' Collective have a Cooling Platform each that they hire out to keep a tūpāpaku / body cool in the days before burial or cremation. They also hire out portable freezers and special cooling mats (Manaaki mats) which cool the abdominal area. These can be used alone or in combination with the Cooling Platform.
To hire one of these Cooling Platforms in Rotorua, please contact Kirsty Smith on
021 96 44 55 or email info@taa.nz
In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, email Ruth or Stella funeralguidescollective@gmail.com
or call 020 432 9673
How to Support our Kaupapa
If you are interested in learning more about Te Atawhai Aroha and what we do in the Rotorua region, including volunteering or attending one of our workshops, you can register your interest or donate by visiting our website taa.nz. Or email Kirsty Smith info@taa.nz.
If you are interested in learning more about Ngā Pou Herenga: the End-of Life and Funeral Guides' Collective and what we do in the Whakatāne, Eastern Bay of Plenty region, including our Funeral Guide training, please email funeralguidescollective@gmail.com.
What is a Cooling Platform?
A Cooling Platform is a lightweight plastic cooler with handles that is powered by a small, quiet refrigeration motor. It is placed under a coffin, casket or a tūpāpaku / body that is wrapped in a shroud or kōpaki to keep it at a steady temperature of between 1 - 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 the cost of using invasive or toxic chemicals. This gives whānau time to be with their loved one in a more natural and gentle way. Cooling pads are widely used in Europe where embalming is rare.
Is it legal to keep someone at home without embalming?
In Aotearoa / NZ there is no legal requirement to embalm or use a Funeral Director, although you may choose to have them assist in planning a funeral.
Who can use these platforms?
Anyone can use these Cooling Platforms by carefully following the instructions.
How much does it cost?
$10,500.00 + GST
Where are they available?
Eco Funeral Resources are based in Rotorua and you can purchase them directly from us. Email Kirsty @ ecofuneralresources@gmail.com for more details.
What communities benefit most?
We are dedicated to providing these Cooling Platforms to communities and whānau / families that are affected by the cost of dying the most. By having these available in your community, it will help alleviate funeral poverty.
How can I access one?
You can purchase a Cooling Platform by emailing Kirsty at ecofuneralresources@gmail.com.
You can also hire out these platforms through our Trusts in Rotorua, Te Atawhai Aroha, contact Sarah at comcomrotorua@gmail.com or Kirsty on info@taa.nz and in Whakatāne, Ngā Pou Herenga: the End-of Life and Funeral Guides' Collective, email funeralguidescollective@gmail.com
