Natural Cemeteries
“Natural burial is the practice of burying a human body in the earth, in a manner that allows for natural decomposition with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem.”
~ Natural Death Advocacy Network
In New South Wales there are a few dedicated natural burial grounds, within existing cemeteries.
However, it is possible to follow the Natural Burial principles in a traditional burial plot within all cemeteries regardless of where the plot is. To follow natural burial principles at a traditional cemetery:
- We would carry out only natural mortuary care (no embalming).
- Suggest a body is shrouded within a biodegradable coffin/casket such as a timber coffin if a shrouded burial is outside of the cemetery’s guidelines.
- A shroud or clothing if worn, is made of natural fibres, not polyester etc. The optimum material is made of natural, protein-based fibres such as wool or silk. Organic plant-based fibres such as hemp, linen and cotton are also acceptable. (This means that a shroud can comprise of everyday cotton bed sheets).*
- Only one person per grave so the depth is not doubled; you may still have plots side by side. Traditional graves are at a depth of 6 foot / 1.82m. However, in accordance with Regulation 24 of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations 2015, the minimum dept of earth cover is 750mm. The total grave depth is then determined by adding the coffin depth, or in the case of a shrouded burial, the body depth.
- Have a simple plaque marker or stone, rather than a large headstone (but the cemetery would guide on what is acceptable in each location).
Cremation – Please note that ashes can be interred by being buried or scattered within natural cemeteries.
- * Further Reading and Resources Natural Death Advocacy Network
Natural Grace will work with you and with the cemetery on your behalf, to get the best possible outcome for a natural burial, in a traditional cemetery.
Traditional Burial vs Natural Burial
Click image to enlarge.
Image courtesy of Murrun Naroon Natural Burials
Lake Macquarie Memorial Park
LMMP offers natural burial throughout their park and have also developed a Natural Memorial Reserve which offers families a meaningful alternative to traditional memorials, providing a resting place that becomes part of the living landscape. Established in 2012, the Reserve was the first of its kind in the Lake Macquarie–Hunter region and remains one of the few memorial gardens in Australia offering such a setting. Here, memories are nurtured gently in harmony with the earth.
In keeping with the spirit of the Natural Memorial Reserve, traditional headstones are not used. Instead, winding sandstone and bush rock pathways guide visitors through the Reserve. Each resting place is carefully recorded with GPS coordinates, ensuring families can always locate their loved one’s place of rest.
