Leslie Massey
In Australia, the options for burial include natural burial grounds, burial at sea, and cremation. The country's cemeteries are running out of space, prompting a re-think of how and where people are buried. Architect David Neustein advocates for natural burials, which could relieve the pressure on urban space and regenerate regional land. Natural burial grounds use minimal site markings, with the land kept in a natural state. Burial at sea is regulated under federal law, requiring an application to Environment Australia. Cremation is an ancient practice, with some cultures believing that fire was a purifying agent that would light the way to the next world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burial options | Burial in the earth or water, cremation, donation to science |
| Burial locations | Natural burial grounds, public cemeteries, private cemeteries |
| Natural burial grounds | Bushland in Bendoc, Victoria; Lake Macquarie Memorial Park, New South Wales |
| Public cemeteries | Require approval from the Secretary for burials |
| Private cemeteries | Prohibited in Victoria without prior written approval from the Secretary to the department |
| Cremation | Requires permission to scatter ashes in certain places, including some waterways and public spaces |
| Sea burial | Requires a permit from Environment Australia and must be submerged in water over 1000m deep |
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What You'll Learn
- Burial options: burial in the earth or water, cremation, or body donation
- Burial locations: public cemeteries, private cemeteries, or natural burial grounds
- Burial approval: how to get approval for burial outside of public cemeteries
- Burial records: how to find where people have been buried
- Burial containers: the types of coffins and caskets used for burial
Burial options: burial in the earth or water, cremation, or body donation
In Australia, the options for what to do with a body after death include burial in the earth or water, cremation, or body donation.
Burial in the earth is the most traditional method, with burial grounds available across the country. However, space is becoming limited, and in Sydney, some religious groups are predicted to run out of burial space within three years. As a result, natural burial grounds are becoming more popular. These use minimal site markings and keep the land in a natural state, allowing for the regeneration of the environment and a reduction in carbon emissions. Tree pod burials are an emerging option, where the body is stored in a biodegradable pod and buried with a tree planted above it.
Burial at sea is also an option, but it is regulated under federal law. The Sea Dumping Act requires that the body is submerged in water deeper than 1000 meters, so that it is not carried inshore by currents or retrieved by fishing activities.
Cremation is another common choice, with crematoria required to provide ashes to the executor for disposal according to their wishes. However, permission is needed to scatter ashes in certain places, including some enclosed waterways and public spaces.
Finally, body donation is an option for those who wish to contribute to medical research and the training of medical students. Prior arrangements must be made with a registered institution, such as a university medical school, and the body must be housed under strict criteria.
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Burial locations: public cemeteries, private cemeteries, or natural burial grounds
In Australia, people can be buried in public cemeteries, private cemeteries, or natural burial grounds. Public cemeteries are the most common form of burial and are administered by cemetery trusts appointed by the Governor in Council. These cemetery trusts manage and maintain the cemeteries on behalf of the Victorian Government and the community. To be buried in a public cemetery, one must obtain the approval of the Secretary for burials, which is ordinarily provided in special circumstances. These include instances where there are pre-existing burials on the land, with clearly marked and identifiable graves.
Private cemeteries, on the other hand, require prior written approval from the Secretary to the department as per the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003. This approval process ensures the legal, appropriate, and dignified disposal of human remains, with traceability and identification measures in place for both private and public cemeteries.
Natural burial grounds offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burials. These sites regenerate the environment, reduce carbon emissions, and relieve pressure on urban spaces. One example of a natural burial ground is in Bendoc, Victoria, where minimal site markings are used and the land is maintained in a natural state. Natural burials typically involve the use of biodegradable materials, such as eco-friendly embalming and biodegradable shrouds or coffins.
In addition to these options, Australians can also choose sea burials, but these are regulated under federal law, specifically the Sea Dumping Act. For a sea burial, the body must be submerged in water at a depth greater than 1000 meters, which is more than 60 km off the mainland around Sydney.
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Burial approval: how to get approval for burial outside of public cemeteries
In Australia, burial outside of public cemeteries is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained. The approval process and requirements differ depending on the state and the type of burial desired. Here are the key things to know about obtaining burial approval outside of public cemeteries in Australia:
Burial on Private Property
In most states, burying human remains on private property is prohibited without approval from the relevant authorities. For example, in Victoria, the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 requires written approval from the Secretary to the department for burial outside of public cemeteries. Similarly, in New South Wales, permission from the local council is required, and the property must be at least five hectares to ensure the burial site doesn't contaminate a water source or cause access issues.
Religious and Indigenous Burial Grounds
Burials in existing religious or indigenous burial grounds also require the approval of the Secretary to the department, as these are not considered public cemeteries. Applications for burial in these sites must be made using the prescribed form "Application for interment approval for interment other than in a public cemetery" and must comply with the requirements for burials on private property.
Exceptional Circumstances
In some states, such as Western Australia and Queensland, burial on private land is highly restricted and only permitted under exceptional circumstances. These circumstances may include a significant historical or cultural association with the land.
Burial at Sea
Disposing of a body at sea is regulated by the federal government under the Sea Dumping Act. An application must be made to Environment Australia, and a valid reason for the request must be provided. Burial at sea also requires the body to be prepared according to the Ship Captain's Medical Guide and typically incurs a fee.
Cremated Remains
It is important to note that the restrictions and approval processes outlined above generally apply to the burial of bodily remains. In most cases, cremated remains can be buried on private property without requiring approval from the relevant department or authority.
When considering burial outside of public cemeteries, it is essential to carefully review the specific laws and regulations of your state or territory, as they may vary. Early planning and consultation with relevant authorities are crucial to ensuring compliance and facilitating a dignified and legal disposition of human remains.
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Burial records: how to find where people have been buried
Burial records are kept by cemetery trusts, church authorities, and local councils. Many of these records have been published and can be searched online or at your local library, state library, or family history society. Here are some ways to find where people have been buried:
Online Search
Some cemetery trusts have digitised or indexed their records and provide access through their websites. You can try searching for the person's name and the location of the burial on search engines or dedicated cemetery websites. Some websites that can be useful for this purpose are Ancestry Library, Australian Cemeteries Index, and The Ryerson Index.
Visit the Cemetery
Sometimes transcriptions or photographs of headstones are available online, but often you will need to visit the cemetery itself. You can find the location of the cemetery by searching for it online or in print resources. Once you are at the cemetery, you can look for the person's name on the headstones.
Funeral Notices and Death Records
If you find a funeral notice, the funeral director (if they are still operating) may be able to assist you with information about where the person was buried or if they were cremated. Other death records you might check are death notices, obituaries, and wills and probate records.
Local Councils and Libraries
You can also locate current lists and links to local council websites via the relevant Local Government Association website. These websites may provide information about cemetery facilities and burial records. Additionally, you can visit or contact your local library or state library to access print resources and guides to cemetery and burial records.
Family History Societies
Family history societies often have valuable resources for researching family history, including burial and cemetery records. They may have published transcriptions or indexes of cemetery records that can be searched online or in person.
Other Sources
Other sources of information include electoral rolls, historical newspapers, and death certificates. If you know the person's address before their death, you can check electoral rolls to find out their address or that of their children, as it is likely they were buried in a nearby cemetery. Historical newspapers may contain death or funeral notices that provide information about the place of burial. Finally, the person's death certificate should include their place of burial.
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Burial containers: the types of coffins and caskets used for burial
In Australia, the options for burial containers include coffins, urns, and biodegradable containers. The type of container chosen depends on factors such as cultural and religious beliefs, environmental concerns, and cost.
Coffins, for example, can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, composite board, cardboard, or wicker. The cost of a coffin can range from $600 to $2000, depending on the material and style chosen. Some people may choose to be buried in a casket, which is a type of coffin that is usually more elaborate and expensive.
For those who choose cremation, the cremated remains, or "cremains," are typically placed in a container or urn for burial, storage, or display. These containers can be made from biodegradable materials or sealed urns, especially if they are to be transported or taken overseas.
In the case of natural or green burials, biodegradable coffins or shrouds are used to allow for the natural decomposition of the body. These coffins are made from minimal resources and biodegradable materials, such as natural fibres, softwoods, cardboard, or wicker.
Additionally, some couples or groups may choose to be buried together in the same plot, with caskets interred above or beside each other. In these cases, the burial site may be deeper than usual to accommodate multiple burials.
Overall, the choice of burial container in Australia is influenced by personal preferences, cultural and religious traditions, environmental considerations, and the availability and cost of different options.
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Frequently asked questions
Burial options in Australia include burial in the earth or water, and cremation.
Certain procedures must be carried out in order to dispose of a human body, including arranging for a funeral, certifying that a person is dead, determining the cause of death, and registering the death. If you are seeking permission to inter bodily remains outside of a public cemetery, you must complete an application form and receive approval from the Secretary to the department.
Burial and cemetery records can be searched online or at your local library, state library, or family history society. You can also visit the cemetery and look for a notice board with the details of the cemetery trust.
