Natural Burial Section

~ Established 2023 ~

On this page, you will find:

Overhead maps
Standards for Natural Burials
Memorial Guidelines and examples

Frequently Asked Questions
Site photos
Site video

We are pleased to be in partnership with the Natural Death Advocacy Network to offer Natural Burial sites set within the natural bushland area on the cemetery grounds.

To find out what's involved with Natural Burials, visit the NDAN information page.

Bec Lyons from You N'Taboo is the local advocate for Natural Burials in the Huon Valley region.

NATURAL BURIAL STANDARDS

The following is a list of minimum Natural Burial standards for the process of natural burial.

A natural burial must:
Be a single depth burial;
Have only one body per plot;
Have not more than one metre of soil above the body or container at the deepest point;
Use a plant or protein-based material shroud or an eco-friendly biodegradable coffin;
Not include any plastic unless it is biodegradable;
Not include the use of an underground vault;
Require the body of the deceased to –
- Only wear natural protein based or plant based materials;
- Not have had chemical preparations or plastics used in preparation; and
- Not be embalmed (exemptions in exceptional circumstances such as repatriation may apply) or having only been embalmed with non-toxic chemicals.

Memorial Ideas

The primary principle is ephemeral memorials ... those that can disappear over time and reintegrate back into the natural state of the natural burial bushland area.

Permanent memorials are discouraged as they defeat the purpose of choosing a natural burial over interment in the regular cemetery area.

'Headstones' of untreated wood or flat stones are permitted if they are placed so that the written surface is flat with the ground. Examples are offered further down this page.

These are best laid at least 3 months after the burial, allowing for the ground to have been re-backfilled to level out the slumping caused by the natural decay of the body.

If the grave is backfilled by family and friends as part of the burial event, the site may be demarcated and decorated using natural materials found on site, such as bark or fallen branches.

Note, if the site is closed by friends and family as part of the ceremony, all the displaced soil must be returned to cover the deceased. This mound will settle over time. If the site is simply filled to be level with the ground, this will end up as a dip which will gather water and any wind-blown flotsam until it is levelled by cemetery volunteers.

Family and friends may wish to return at a later date to again demarc and decorate the site with locally sourced natural materials.

Sample memento idea

Make shapes from unbleached cardboard to use as base for decorating with natural ephemera, attached with unbleached twine or plain rubber bands.

Friends and family can write their heartfelt messages on the cardboard before decorating them.

These can be either buried with your loved one or laid on top of their closed grave.

Note that the images in the following section are not from our cemetery but are offered for inspiration for what you can do for your loved ones.

Natural Burials lend themselves to hands on involvement by friends and family.

Geeveston Public Cemetery Natural Burial FAQ's

Who is responsible for maintaining the natural burial sites?

There is very little actual maintenance required for natural burial sites as the intention is for the sites to revert back to the natural original state, but friends and family may wish to return after a few months to see if there is any slumping of the site that requires additional backfilling.

At other times, visitors are welcome to remove any flotsam that may have blown across their loved one's site.

The volunteers on the Cemetery Management Committee periodically maintain the overall cemetery grounds, and members of the public are often seen tidying up obvious wind-blown odds and ends that may have settled throughout the grounds.

If there are any issues regarding the state of the site that you require assistance with, please contact the Cemetery Manager on 0418 996 171.

What can I expect regarding the site in the period after the natural burial?

When backfilling the grave site, we require ALL of the soil to be replaced, which will initially result in a mound.

Over time, the ground over the site will sink and settle as air and liquids have been naturally released from the body, as well as the site backfill being re-compacted.

You will also notice that the excavated soil will be lighter in colour to the surrounding surface soil, but over time this contrast becomes less noticeable.

Can I plant anything on top of the grave to mark the spot?

If this is your preference, we would like you to choose a native plant that is compatible with the surrounding area.

Plant your memorial flora after a few months, to allow for the ground underneath to cleanse itself of natural decomposition toxins.

How can I find my person once the bush has rejuvenated?

The Cemetery Management Committee takes GPS readings from the centre head of the burial site and notes them in their burial register. It is anticipated that in due course, a monument will be erected to show who is situated within the natural burial grounds, and their GPS locations.

Who can help me plan a natural burial?

Any funeral company or death doula can assist you to plan for a natural burial.

Ranelagh-based independent funeral organiser, Bec Lyons from Solace End of Life Services, has been instrumental in helping us to expand the Geeveston Public Cemetery into opening our unused bush area for Natural Burials and in helping us shape our policies and protocols.

Can I reserve a natural burial site for myself and/or a loved one?

Absolutely! However, there are a few things we want you to be aware of.

At this time are not able to reserve a particular location within the natural burial ground.

Only Phase 1 is immediately available as Phase 2 first requires a survey to map the trees and available positions, as well as clearance for walkways. Phase 1 is at the open edge of the natural burial grounds, protected by a boundary of large rocks. Phase 2 is deeper within the natural burial grounds.

We cannot guarantee to place friends or family adjacent to or nearby each other, although we will do our best.

The current price (to be reviewed in July 2025) for a site is $1100.

If you are ready to reserve a space for yourself or a loved one, use our reservation form.

Are there toilets on site?

No, there aren't.

However, if you are coming from Hobart-way, you will pass Shipwrights Point at the entry of Port Huon where there are public toilets..

Alternatively, if you are coming from Dover-way, there are public toilets adjacent to the Geeveston Visitor Centre.

See the natural burial ground in context with its surroundings.

Cemetery Tour for Facebook.mp4

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