Burial options

Casket burials

Purchasing or reserving a cemetery plot

You can reserve up to two plots at a time for a maximum of 60 years, giving you exclusive right of burial in those plots. There is a cost to reserve plots.

Ownership rights can be transferred to another person or to another cemetery with Council’s consent. Contact us to transfer ownership rights.

Lawn plots can hold two caskets and up to four ash interments. The exceptions are Leamington and Pukerimu, which are single depth, so they can only hold one casket and up to four ash interments.

Arranging a burial

Once a plot is chosen, a burial warrant needs to be completed by a funeral director or the family with information including:

• the funeral director details,
• time of burial,
• size of casket,
• details of the deceased,
• plot location.

Graves can only be dug by a Council sexton. If you wish to be present when the grave is being dug, make sure you let us know ahead of time. Family members are welcome to backfill the grave following a burial with the supervision of the Council sexton.

Ash burials

Ashes can be buried in three ways:

• In front of a memorial ashes berm, a concrete strip suitable for plaques or small headstones.
• In a lawn plot, the same as casket burials.
• In gardens of remembrance designated for the burial of ashes. Ashes are buried outside of the garden area and each plot can accommodate two sets of ashes.

All planting at the cemeteries and plot maintenance is Council’s responsibility. Family members aren’t permitted to plant trees, shrubs or flowers in any of our cemeteries.

Some individuals or families prefer to scatter ashes at a place of significance instead. If this is the case, please ensure you get permission from the landowner before you scatter any ashes. Ashes should not be scattered into waterways or bodies of water.

The scattering of ashes is not permitted in any of the Council’s cemeteries, parks or reserves.

What's a natural burial plot like?

The plot for a natural burial is different to a traditional grave site. The natural burial area will be planted in native trees, shrubs and grasses in lieu of headstones.

Only one casket is buried in each plot and new plots are placed next to the last burial. We cannot allow reservations or allow plots to be picked in the natural burial section.

Plots for natural burials are larger than traditional plots. This will ensure there is enough space surrounding each grave. Plots are placed in a specific area so that the bush can grow as the cemetery grows.

Families can select a native plant to be planted atop the grave to mark the site instead of a headstone.

Families can place a biodegradable wooden marker with their loved one’s name carved or burned into it at the burial site. As this is a natural area, the intention is that these markers will eventually biodegrade.

The graves are identified by GPS co-ordinates and marked the Council’s cemetery map database. As the site reverts to native bush over time, these locations may not be exact, and access to the site may not always be possible.

Native plant or tree memorials

Families can select native trees and plants from our tree selection list.

Arrangements for the planting of memorials will be made after the burial. Planting will also be done at the best time of year to ensure healthy growth.

During the planting process, staff will prepare the hole before the tree is planted, providing support and care to you and your loved ones.