Natural Burial Areas

There are natural burial areas available at Marsden Valley and Wakapuaka Cemeteries.

Natural Burial Areas are areas set aside that have low environmental impact. Burials in this area are not to be embalmed or contain any other chemicals that would slow or prevent the natural breakdown of the body in the soil. They are also buried at a single depth as close to or within the active soil layer.

Caskets, coffins or body coverings are biodegradable and don’t contain any chemical or substance to prevent the breakdown of the products used.

In natural burial areas, plots will be allocated in sequence and the pre-purchase of burial plots is not permitted. While the right to burial may be purchased, specific plots cannot be pre-allocated.

Subject to gaining Council authority via a Warrant of Interment and permission from the holder of the Exclusive Right of Burial, ashes of other people may be placed in the burial plot, at the time of burial. Ashes also need to be in a biodegradable container and must be confined within the boundary of the plot.

One untreated wooden marker per burial plot may be placed on the plot at the time or burial or within the first week after the burial. The marker shall be no larger than 150mm X 100mm in size x 250mm high above ground level. The marker shall be attached to an untreated timber stem a maximum size 100mm x 100mm that can be pushed into the soil and is to be centrally located at the head of the plot.

Everything placed on graves in natural burial areas must be biodegradable.

The burial plot will be planted with native plants by Council during the months of May to August. If requested, family members can be in attendance to assist with the planting. Alternatively, a native tree can be purchased from the Council nursey (from the approved list of trees) and the deceased person’s family can undertake the planting themselves.

Council is responsible for any required replacement planting and the ongoing maintenance of the area.

As Nelson City Council does not provide any lowering device or green mats for the sides of the burial plot for natural burials, families carrying out funeral services without the aid of a Funeral Director will need to provide their own equipment.

Council’s contractor will prepare the plot for burial and fill in the plot after the funeral service. The family may assist with the fill in but due to Health and Safety regulations cannot assist with the initial digging of the plot. Council’s contractor is not available to provide assistance to families during the funeral service.

For more information, see natural burial tree guide here.