Graves & memorials 

Where can I be buried? Could I request that I be buried at the family farm?

A body can be buried:

• In public burial ground
• In Maori burial ground
• In religious/denominational burial ground
• In a “private burial ground” that was used for burial before 1 April 1965 so long as written permission is obtained in advance from a District Court judge and also, if it’s in an urban area, from the mayor or two local councillors. Permission can be withheld only if the burial would harm “public health or decency”
• At a private burial place if there is no cemetery or burial ground within 32 km of the place where the person died or where the body is to be buried
• Any place (whether or not it was used for burials before 1 April1965) if the Ministry of Health agrees in advance that that place is appropriate and safe for burial. Also, for burials in urban areas, the mayor or two local councillors must agree to the burial
• At sea

It may be very complicated to attempt some of these alternatives, and you should be aware that gaining consent for a private burial can take some time. For instance if you would like to be buried at the family farm, you should obtain consent from the Ministry of Health. If you would like to request burial in a private place, you should get your local community law office to help you make a submission to the Ministry of Health and local Council.

What are the alternatives to a standard burial?

Cremation. This is disposal of the body by burning it. The ashes are then kept in a special vessel called an urn, and can be ‘scattered’ at places of special meaning to the person and their family.

Natural burials. This is a recent alternative to normal burial, and uses a biodegradable casket and no embalming fluid. These burial plans are often coupled with forest restoration efforts. For more information on green burials, see the natural burials website. This is currently only an option in Wellington.

You can ask to be ‘buried’ at sea, but only in certain coastal areas. In a sea burial, a special weighted casket is used, and it is taken to sea by boat or helicopter. To find out about this option, contact your funeral director.

If you are making an application for a sea burial yourself, you will need:

• A Marine Dumping Permit. You can apply for this on the Maritime New Zealand website
• Permission to dispose of the body from your doctor or coroner
• Permission from the Ministry of Health
• A special casket made to specific regulations. Consult your local funeral director for more information

You can also arrange for your ashes to be released at sea. There are no restrictions on where they may be scattered.

I’d like to be buried with my loved ones. How can I arrange this?

Many families hold a burial plot, and it used to be common practice to be buried with your family. Due to cemetery space constraints, this is becoming less common, but it is still possible in some cemeteries to buy a family plot. To do this you have to pre-pay for the site, and you will be given a deed. If you want to get a deed for a family funeral plot, or to have a double grave site, you should talk with your local funeral director or sexton (cemetery caretaker).

To find a funeral director in your area, see the FDANZ website, or to speak with the local sexton, call your local council.

What happens if I don’t have enough money to buy a burial plot?

Everyone has the right to be buried when they die. If you don’t have enough money to buy a burial plot, this can be provided for with a WINZ funeral grant. A funeral grant can be requested by your family or funeral director. To find out more about funeral grants, see our information on funerals. 

Who can I talk to about gravestones and memorials?

Cemeteries are managed by local councils, and each will have their own rules and regulations on monuments and headstones. Some cemeteries limit the size and shape of monuments, so if you are planning something special, you may need to consult your local council to get permission.

If you’re thinking about monuments or memorials, the people to talk to are the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons’ Association. They can help you choose a craftsman to make the memorial that you want, and will have information on the techniques and costs of memorials. For more information and contact details, see their website.

I want to have a tree planted over my grave. Would that be allowed?

This is usually not allowed by local councils because trees can grow to interfere with and damage the other graves and paths in the cemetery. Having a tree planted on your grave may be an option if you choose to be buried privately. Some cemeteries allow certain shrubs to be planted on graves, but you will have to consult your local council on the rules for this before planting one. Another option may be natural burial.

Is there a pet cemetery?

The rules on burying dead pets are not as strict as those for burying people. So you can bury a pet in the backyard if you want to as long as it is buried deeply enough and you do not interfere with gas lines or water pipes. Recently, some private organisations and councils have established pet cemeteries and cremation services in some of the major centres. If you’d like to find out about these or other options, speak to your local vet. To find a local vet, visit the Veterinary Council of New Zealand website.