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. 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 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 cemeteryde
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
CURRENTLY NOT UNDERTAKING BURIALS
- 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.