Purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial
Cemetery plots can be pre-purchased, rather than leaving the task for relatives or friends. Any Funeral Director can organise it for you, or you can contact Nelson City Council 03 546 0200.
The exclusive right of burial for bodies or ashes may be purchased for any available plot in a cemetery controlled by Council (as long as that cemetery is not closed) on the terms and conditions set by Council.
When an exclusive right of burial is purchased, there is no ownership of the actual land area. The purchase entitles the plot owner to the exclusive right of burial in that plot.
Where a person is to be buried in a plot where exclusive right of burial has not been purchased, the representative for that person will be required to purchase it and accept liability for the payment to the Council of the prescribed fee for that plot.
Exclusive rights of burial may be pre-purchased for future use in cemeteries:
- With lawn areas within a burial beam that is currently established
- Where no beam is established (where burials are currently taking place)
- Where coffins are not used during the burial, such as natural and Muslim burials (specific plots cannot be identified for pre-purchase, however, a payment will reserve the next appropriate plot at time of burial).
For pre-purchased plots, a certificate confirming the Exclusive Right of Burial, defining the name and address of the owner, the cemetery and plot number, and date purchased, and amount paid will be issued. Proof of purchase or right to burial will be required when the plot is required for use or monument installation.
- Application for Purchase of Right of Muslim Burial
- Application for Purchase of Right of Natural Burial
- Application for Exclusive Right of Burial
