Burials - Introduction
All burials are carried out in accordance with the Burial and Cremation Act 1964.
To book a burial, you need to complete the burial booking form and send or fax it to the cemetery. You will also need to complete forms for any other services you require, like purchasing a plot or hiring a chapel.
Burial Booking form (96Kb PDF)
Burial Services
Services available for burials:
- greeting mat
- grave mats
- lowering device
- lowering device stand
- boards and bearers
- dirt box with trowel
- temporary grave marker
Natural Burials
Makara Cemetery is the first New Zealand cemetery to offer natural burials. This new service is offered in partnership between Wellington City Council and not-for-profit organisation, Natural Burials.
In natural burial the body is not embalmed. The bio-degradable casket is buried in an active soil layer with added compost to assist the natural decomposition process.
A native tree is planted at the head or base of each plot.
Cemetery Staff
Only cemetery staff are permitted to dig graves and reinstate them after burials. Family may assist, however, by prior arrangement with cemetery administration.
Burial Attendant
The cemetery’s Burial Attendant is available to:
- greet and direct a funeral party 15 minutes before a burial
- brief the funeral director about any technical site issues
- assist with loading and lowering the casket
- oversee safety throughout the service.
Temporary Grave Markers
After the burial service, cemetery technicians install a temporary grave marker bearing the deceased’s name. This is leased for a fixed fee, regardless of how long it’s used. Official markers are the only temporary markers allowed in the cemetery.
Family and friends have up to 13 months to choose a permanent memorial to replace the temporary one. Memorial plaques and monuments must meet cemetery specifications.
Subsequent Interments
This is where interment takes place on an existing grave to allow for the burial of other family members within the same plot.
Disinterments
Disinterment is when remains or ashes are removed from a grave. Remains are either transferred to another plot or removed from the cemetery entirely.
All enquiries regarding disinterment should be directed to cemetery administration.
Grave Re-use
Grave re-use is when remains are removed from a grave to make room for more family members. The grave is dug deeper and the remains returned. This is done when a plot is full but families wish to continue using it, to keep family members together.
Related Links
- News Release - 30.05.08
- Wellington Natural Cemetery - Information Guide (57Kb PDF)
- Natural Burials website
Department Details:
Cemeteries (Parks & Gardens)
