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."
Currently in Victoria there are a few dedicated natural burial grounds, within existing cemeteries, and these are detailed below.
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.
- 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 via the Natural Death Advocacy Network: https://ndan.com.au/resources/natural-burial
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
Queenscliff Cemetery - Moonah Walk
Geelong Cemetery Trust (GCT)
- Must use the cane lowering device for burials.
- The Cemetery Trust works in conjunction with the family to have a boulder/bronze plaque erected at the gravesite to memorialise a person’s location.
- Can have burials or ashes interments.
- The Trust co-ordinates and completes all the planting of indigenous plants in this area for maintenance and re-vegetation.
Healesville Cemetery
Healesville
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT)
- Natural Burial area is within the established cemetery.
- GPS co-ordinates only – name is placed on a large stone at the burial area ‘entrance’.
- Burial depth is 1.2 metres.
Lilydale Memorial Park, Lilydale
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT)
- Natural Burial area is within the established cemetery.
- GPS co-ordinates only – name is placed on a large stone at the burial area ‘entrance’.
- Burial depth is 1.2 metres.
Murrun Naroon, Bunurong Memorial Park, Bangholme
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT)
- GPS co-ordinates only – name is placed on a large stone at the ‘entrance’ to the burial area.
- Cannot mark the grave.
Carlsruhe Cemetery
Carlsruhe
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Natural Burial area is within the established cemetery.
- Can mark the grave.
- Can purchase one, two or three graves at once.
- If purchasing three plots (side-by-side) two are for single internments at the legal minimum soil depth and the third is for the planting of indigenous shrubs to re-forest the land.
- Depth of burial 1.2 metres.
Upper Yarra Public Cemetery, Wesburn
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Little Yarra bushland burial section, only natural burials are permitted, using fully biodegradable materials.
- Graves are marked with a biodegradable wooden post that records the details of the deceased. A wooden fence is at the entrance where a memorial plaque may be fixed. Each grave is mapped and surveyed.
- Gravesites are restricted to a single burial.
- Shroud burials also welcome.
- Depth of burial 1.2 metres.
Fryerstown Cemetery,
Fryerstown
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Natural Burial principles are followed within the cemetery – no designated area.
- Depth of burial is 1.2 metres.
- Can mark the grave.
- Can plant an indigenous shrub within the cemetery.
Beenak Cemetery
Beenak
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Remote natural bushland setting.
- Natural burial section is within established cemetery.
- Grave can be marked with a headstone.
- Depth of burial 1.2 metres.
Vaughan Cemetery
Vaughan Springs
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Natural Burial principles are followed within the cemetery – no designated area within this gold rush era cemetery with Chinese graves.
- Depth of burial is 1 metre.
- Can mark the grave.
Traralgon Cemetery
Gippsland
Gippsland Memorial Park (GMP)
- all burials on site are singular and of shallower depth.
- all coffins or cremation urns are to be made of natural sustainable material (wicker, plantation pine, wood).
- all grave markings are smaller than traditionally used in cemetery grounds.
Chewton Cemetery
Chewton 3451
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Natural Burial principles are followed within the cemetery.
Kurweeton Road Cemetery
Derrinallum
Independent Cemetery Trust
- Upright burial ground – people are buried feet first.
- Cannot mark the grave.
- Family can view the burial.
- A tree is planted on Mt Elephant in honour of the deceased.
- GPS co-ordinates only – name is placed on a large stone at the ‘entrance’ to the burial area.