This thesis examines the practices of tangihanga from the past to the present. The various rites and customary concepts that encompass wairua (spirit), tapu(sacred), karakia (prayers), and pōuri (bereaved) make tangihanga a complex and delicate procedure. The overall intent of tangihanga is to ensure a safe and clear pathway for the wairua of the deceased to transfer from the physical world to the spiritual world and to provide support to the Whānau pani. This study recognises the effect of urbanisation and colonisation on whānau (family) Which has impacted Māori cultural practices and, in this case, tangihanga (funeral). This research will also consider the survival of tangihanga. The focus on two timeframes is discussed, beginning with a pre-European timeframe through to current day practices. Eight aspects of tangihanga practice are the focus of this study giving a foundation and understanding of what tangihanga requires both physically, spiritually, and mentally.