An embarrassing cock-up by Queens­­town Lakes District Council suggested people should give them plenty of notice before popping their clogs. 

Newspaper announcements on March 10 outlined “minor” changes to QLDC’s Cemetery Bylaw 2010. 

It was stated “notification of an intended full burial will be given to the manager at least eight working days prior to the time fixed for the funeral; and no burial will take place until the sexton has received a burial warrant”. 

Three days later QLDC set the matter dead to rights, changing the eight days rule to a more respectable eight working hours’ notice that’s required before a burial.