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Natural Burial Options

Thursday 6 September 2012, 1:39PM

By Marlborough District Council

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MARLBOROUGH

Plans are being made to create a natural burial ground within the borders of Fairhall Cemetery.

Being buried naturally means nature’s own processes enable the body to be returned to the soil completely within a matter of years.

Some people favour the simplicity of such burials, the idea of contributing to the ecosystem and the thought of being buried in a natural, green environment.

The site being considered by the Council will be separate from the traditional burial areas at Fairhall and the shallow graves will be surrounded by native vegetation to create a park-like environment.

The Council is aiming to begin the re-vegetation of the designated area within this financial year, with a pledge of support with the planting work from horticultural students from NMIT.

In order to provide a certified natural burial cemetery, the Council has been working with the Lower Hutt-based Natural Burials, a not-for-profit voluntary organisation that promotes this concept.

To date, eco-cemeteries have been established at only about half a dozen locations in New Zealand.

There is no definite date available yet for the burial ground at Fairhall to be open but Council reserves and amenities officer Nick Crous hopes that this option will be available by the end of 2013.