Grave mix-up in Helensville wasn't first

A burial mix-up at Helensville this week was not the first time mourners have had to wait while the grave was dug, says the Funeral Directors' Association.

A grieving family had to wait four hours for the burial at the hilltop ceremony while the correct site was found.

The Rodney District Council is investigating and a spokesman said the family would be contacted for discussions on some form of compensation.

Association president John Duncan said the same thing happened to him in Wellington 10 years ago.

"Given that human error is always possible, I dare say it's going to happen again," he said.

In the case he was involved in, the council had not dug a grave as its staff believed the burial was happening the next day.

The council involved and three others in the Wellington area shortly afterwards introduced a booking system which had proved efficient.

- NZPA