Arrangements made for Dargaville man whose body was unclaimed at funeral director for eight months

The body of a Dargaville man, which has been in the care of a funeral director for eight months, can now be laid to rest.

Estate planning company Perpetual Guardian today said it has been granted permission by the High Court to administer Thomas Brugman's estate after no one came forward to claim his body.

The company has worked with friends of Mr Brugman to make funeral arrangements.

It has also been approached by possible distant relatives of Mr Brugman in the Netherlands, and is working with them to determine the ultimate beneficiaries.

The company has also joined with FDANZ (the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand) in making a submission to the select committee that is currently reviewing the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Bill.