A "bonkers" plan to limit where people can scatter the ashes of loved ones is more about education than it is about "trying to wield a big stick", the Kapiti District Council says.
The draft by-law, part of a wider review, would mean residents would need written permission from the council to put human ashes in a cemetery, reserve, river or beach.
It's a proposal which a local funeral director and the industry association say is unworkable and adds extra stress to families at an already trying time.
Council open spaces manager Nico Crous says despite what some may think, the council isn't looking to ban the scattering of ashes.
"[It's] something we're trying to assist the community with and prevent indiscriminate scattering of ashes in public places where it invariably and inevitably causes offence to others who may be using those areas, whether it is for picnics or food gathering.
"This is more of a guidance and education process than us trying to wield a big stick," he says.
Should the proposal be passed by councillors next month, Mr Crous says it would likely just mean people would need to ring the council to discuss their plans.
It's a decision which could potentially affect many in the area, with Waikanae Funeral Home owner Graeme Rolston estimating up to 85 percent prefer cremation over burial - higher than much of the country.
He believes if the changes came into effect, it would add to the stress for families when they realise they can't fulfil the last wishes of their loved ones.
"So now what are we going to do? Because it's written in granddad's will or mum and dad's will that this is what they want done and they can't do it. We now have a problem - we can't attend to their wish."
Mr Rolston doesn't believe where people were scattering ashes was a problem.
Funeral Directors Association chief executive Katrina Shanks agrees, saying the policy would "add another layer of bureaucracy and stress" for grieving families.
It's not the first time such a proposal has been put forward. In 2014, the Wellington City Council considered charging families for permits, but didn't go ahead following a public outcry.
"As in that case, if the Kapiti council had bothered to consult the Funeral Directors Association of NZ they would have seen that it's a stupid idea that is not workable," Ms Shanks says.
"Scattering ashes in public places is part of who we are as New Zealanders. It's part of our ritual of saying goodbye, and councils should respect that."
Mr Crous concedes their concerns may be founded, but was something the council had considered.
"We don't want to make in onerous, we won't impose a cost for it and it will be a simple and straightforward process and sometimes it is helpful to somebody in this situation because they have the opportunity to talk some more about the situation."
Mr Crous, also an advisory board member of the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective, says the idea is far from left-field - in fact, it's best practice nationwide.
He dismisses the idea there would be council staff policing the policy.
"We don't have time nor staff to do that kind of thing. I believe council money is better spent doing other things."
If people did scatter ashes without council permission, Mr Crous says on the "heavy side", they could ask the ashes be removed or the council could get rid of it themselves.
But more likely would be they'd talk to the person about the "emotional harm" it could do to the public and that human ashes aren't good for the environment.
Mr Rolston was angry the sector wasn't consulted on the idea, saying the first he'd heard of it was at a seminar on Wednesday.
The deadline for public submissions closed in July. None were made.
"I would've thought the council would have come to us as interested parties and said 'look, can we have your comment? This is what we're proposing, can we have your comment?' But our council never does anything like that," Mr Rolston says.
He said the probable reason why no one made submissions was because not many families would be affected by it until a loved one dies.
However, Mr Crous says his predecessor had emails from local funeral directors asking them to comment on the idea.
Mr Rolston says instead of restrictions, people should just be mindful of the place where they choose to put the ashes.
"Be respectful of the people around you and the environment where you want to scatter them."
There were some areas in which scattering ashes were banned, including the Rose Garden and Botanic Garden in Wellington which were reasonable.
"Tourists go through the rose gardens by the bus loads, they don't want to see ashes scattered all over their nicely-developed gardens because people tend to pour them out on the ground."
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