Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Farewell Guide ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website farewellguide.co.nz (the "Site").

We are based in New Zealand and comply with the Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable New Zealand privacy laws.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you request a quote or contact a funeral director through our Site, we collect:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Email address (optional)
• City/location
• Service urgency (planning ahead or immediate need)
• Any additional information you choose to provide

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our Site, we automatically collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Analytics data (via PostHog and similar tools)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Connect you with funeral directors: We share your contact details with funeral directors you request quotes from
• Improve our services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Send newsletters: If you opt in, we'll send helpful resources and updates (you can unsubscribe anytime)
• Respond to inquiries: Answer your questions and provide customer support
• Comply with legal obligations: Meet regulatory and legal requirements

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Funeral Directors

When you request a quote, we share your contact information with the funeral director(s) you selected. This is the primary purpose of our service.

4.2 With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Site, including:

• Formspree: Form submission handling
• PostHog: Analytics and user behavior tracking
• Cloudflare: Hosting and security
• Stripe: Payment processing (for funeral directors)

4.3 With Affiliate Partners

If you click on affiliate links (e.g., will services, flower delivery), you will be directed to third-party websites. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, but we do not share your personal information with these partners unless you provide it directly to them.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect our rights or the safety of others.

5. Referrer Commission Disclosure

Farewell Guide operates as an independent referrer service. We may receive commissions or fees from:

• Funeral directors: For verified listings and lead referrals
• Affiliate partners: For will services, flower delivery, memorial services, and other related products

Our service is always 100% free for families. We do not charge you for using our comparison tools or requesting quotes. Our revenue comes from funeral directors and affiliate partnerships, which allows us to remain independent and unbiased in our recommendations.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, including:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure hosting infrastructure (Cloudflare)
• Regular security audits and updates

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@farewellguide.co.nz

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Remember your preferences (e.g., dark mode)
• Analyze site traffic and usage patterns
• Improve site performance and user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

9. Third-Party Websites

Our Site contains links to third-party websites (funeral directors, affiliate partners, etc.). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us: