FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is natural burial?

Natural burial is the practice of burying a body in the earth, in a manner which allows for natural decomposition with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

Download Our Flyer

What are the standards for natural burial in Australia?

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 compostable;
• Not include the use of an underground vault; and
• 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.

NDAN Natural Burial Grounds Code of Conduct

NDAN Natural Burial Standards

What are my options?

Knowing your options concerning dying and death is important, if not for you, then certainly for those who will be responsible for the care of your body after death.
Download our fact sheet; What are my options?

Do we have to use a funeral director to conduct a burial?

No! You do NOT have to use a funeral director, you can:

• keep a person at home after death
• take a body home from hospital, an Aged Care Facility or the coroner
• build your own coffin
• sew your own shroud
• dig and back-fill the grave (with cemetery permission)

What is a home funeral?

In Australia, a 'home funeral' has become a broad term for family and/or community led home-based care of a person from the time of death until the disposition of their body. This may involve caring for the body at home, holding the funeral ceremony at home, or both—and often encourages environmentally conscious practices and decisions.

Download Our Flyer

What is an end of life doula?

An end of life or ‘death’ doula’s role is to provide non-medicalised support, resources, and options to people with a life-limiting condition, or those planning for, or approaching      end of life.

Download Our Flyer