Natural Burial

Currently, there are two standalone natural burial grounds in operation, with several more in various stages of development.

Advocating for this increasingly popular method of interment remains one of NDAN’s core objectives.

NDAN also advocates for Shrouded Cremation — you can learn more by reading our Shrouded Cremation factsheet.

What is Natural Burial?

Natural burial is the practice of burying a human body in the earth, in a manner that allows for natural decomposition with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem. -Natural Death Advocacy Network (NDAN)

For those who care about environmental sustainability, natural burial may offer the most authentic way of honouring the body after death and to contribute to the cycle of life. It is both a method of interment and a place for memorialisation. Natural burial can be explained in straightforward terms or described more poetically - where practical needs and emotional connections meet. It considers what is seen above ground in remembrance, and what unfolds below. In essence, natural burial encourages the nutrients in a body to return to the earth in the most environmentally friendly way possible

From a practical standpoint, natural burial involves placing the body in a way that allows it to break down much like compost - enabling soil microbes and plant life to access and benefit from its nutrients. The reasons people are drawn to natural burial vary widely. For some, it’s about reciprocity with the natural world - an act of returning, where the body is broken down and reabsorbed into new forms of life, affirming our place within nature. For others, the appeal is more pragmatic: natural burial allows for significantly faster decomposition than conventional burial, in a cemetery under concrete and granite.

Some are drawn to the aesthetic aspect of natural burial - the idea of their body becoming part of the natural environment. For those who remain, a natural burial site can offer a more vibrant, "living" place to visit in the future - one that will flourish naturally without the need for ongoing maintenance.

For some, natural burial offers financial benefits - there’s no need to purchase a coffin, although in certain areas, a coffin may still be required to enter a cemetery.

One of the key considerations for a natural burial is depth. A natural burial takes place in a shallow grave, as deeper burials slow the decomposition process and limit the earth’s ability to absorb nutrients from the remains.

While regulations vary across States and Territories, Australian legislation typically requires that human remains be fully covered by soil to a depth of at least one metre at its shallowest point. This depth aligns with the requirements for a Natural Burial, facilitating faster decomposition due to the warmer soil, increased aeration and oxygen flow, as well as the presence of more insects and bacteria.

But it’s not all about depth.

Considerations in Natural Burial:

Only one body is designated to each plot. For those wishing to be buried together, the burial must be side by side, rather than stacked on top of one another, as is common in double or triple-depth plots in a conventional cemetery.
The body is only treated with natural products, such as essential oils, instead of the chemical preparations typically used in conventional burial practices. Natural burial prohibits many conventional procedures including: embalming*, the use of chemicals and disinfectants, temporary preservation methods, plastic eye caps, and the stitching of the mouth. Embalming* - Natural burial grounds typically do not accept embalmed bodies. The chemicals used in embalming fluid are known to be carcinogenic and are incompatible with the organic principles of natural burial. Additionally, if a body has undergone a postmortem, some natural burial grounds may request the removal of the viscera bag. While these guidelines are generally followed, certain cemeteries may, on compassionate grounds, make exceptions under specific circumstances.
The clothing or shroud used for a natural burial must generally be biodegradable. What does this mean? The ideal materials for dressing or wrapping the body are natural, protein-based fibres such as wool or silk, or organic plant-based fibres like hemp, linen, and cotton. (This means that everyday cotton bed sheets can be used for a shroud). Some flexibility may be allowed for garments that contain rayon (also known as viscose) or bamboo fabric. These fibres are not naturally occurring but are a form of regenerated cellulose. While they are biodegradable, they are considered "artificial" rather than truly natural. Clothing containing any of the following fibre compositions should be avoided:
- Polyester
- Nylon/Polyamide
- Acrylic
- Acetate
- Elastane

Please note that any blend containing the synthetics mentioned above should not be used for dressing a body for natural burial. Additionally, consider whether the garments include fastenings made of plastic or metal.

As mentioned, only natural fibres can be used on the body—this applies to clothing, shoes, hair ties, jewellery, and all other items. Most metals, being naturally occurring, are permitted to return to the earth with the deceased. Therefore, items like gold tooth fillings or wedding rings are typically allowed.
Ideally, natural burial involves a shroud burial, meaning no coffin is needed. However, there are different schools of thought on this. Some natural burial grounds prefer not to use coffins, while others require them, citing the benefit of oxygen inside the coffin helping the decomposition process. If you do opt for a coffin, it must be made of natural, biodegradable materials—certainly no non-biodegradable plastics. In Australia, there are some beautiful options now available, such as coffins made from cardboard, wicker, seagrass, wool, or bamboo. It's worth noting that the burial ground management may request to inspect the coffin before agreeing to the burial, as they are responsible for ensuring the integrity of what is placed in the earth, which is vital to the natural burial process.
There are also restrictions on what can be placed inside a coffin or shroud. For example, plastic items are not permitted, but handwritten notes, letters, and drawings are welcome. Families and communities often spend days or weeks decorating a burial shroud (or coffin). Water-based paints, cotton for sewing, and other biodegradable materials can be used, and the possibilities are endless. The act of decorating can be deeply cathartic—a healing and bonding experience. It also provides a meaningful way to involve many people, offering them a sense of agency and connection as they contribute to the after-death care of their person through this simple but significant gesture.

The aim of natural burial is to provide a method of body disposition that is not only environmentally friendly but also enriches the earth.

The process of natural burial can include the following:

To elevate and encourage aeration, wooden chocks are placed under the body or coffin in the grave.
The base of the grave is lined with vegetative matter. Tree roots inside the grave are only trimmed if absolutely necessary; where possible, they can be gently pinned down with U-shaped pins and released when the grave is backfilled.
The use of Burial Sticks—a method developed by Dr. Billy Campbell—involves placing dry limbs from the surrounding environment both beneath and above the body. These sticks often carry fungal spores that support natural decomposition. By creating space for air to circulate, they help prevent the formation of adipocere (a waxy substance that can develop in fatty tissue and hinder decomposition). Burial sticks also improve aeration, create channels for water and nutrient movement, and encourage new root growth.
Organic vegetative materials—such as straw, wood chips, ferns, and flowers—are incorporated into the grave to help balance the high nitrogen levels released during decomposition. These carbon-rich additions enhance the effectiveness of Burial Sticks and support a healthier breakdown process.
If flowers are included, they should be wrapped in paper rather than plastic, and secured with raffia, natural twine, or rubber bands. (rubber is a natural product) Most florists are happy to accommodate these environmentally conscious requests.
The burial hole, approximately 1.2 metres deep, should be dug and backfilled by hand.
Carrying the body or coffin to the grave and lowering is done by hand.

The location of the burial holds different meaning and value for each person. When choosing a site, it's worth considering a range of questions to determine if it feels right for you or your loved one. Some people may visit regularly; others may never return. Some of these questions may include:

Is there a section of a cemetery dedicated to natural burial?
Is the entire cemetery dedicated to natural burial?
How is the grave dug?
What is the depth of the grave?
What goes on top of the grave?
Who is the caretaker of the grave?
Can you mark the grave?
Can you plant on or around the grave?

Grave marking practices in natural burial grounds vary depending on the policies of the cemetery or land management. Some sites may permit a locally sourced stone or discreet plaque; others may not allow any physical marker at all. In some places, a GPS coordinate is provided instead. A beautiful approach adopted in the UK involves a communal roll of honour at the entrance—while individual graves remain unmarked, the entire burial ground becomes a living memorial for future generations. Regardless of the marking policy, cemeteries are generally required to maintain accurate written records of all burials, so even without a marker, it is still possible to locate a grave through those records.

It's important to recognise that natural burial shares many similarities with certain religious practices, and it’s not unusual for members of these communities to say, "We already do that." Both Muslim and Jewish traditions include many elements that align with the principles, beliefs, and practices of natural burial. The modern movement toward natural burial in the Western world owes a great deal to these longstanding cultural practices. In fact, it is through the continued observance of these traditions that we find a precedent for offering natural burial more broadly within our communities.

Another important consideration is re-burial. While some places in Australia guarantee burial rights for up to 100 years, one of the key principles of natural burial is that burial plots can be reused. In contrast to conventional burial plots, which often involve hardwood or metal-lined coffins and concrete vaults, natural burial encourages a quicker decomposition process. This allows the body to return to the earth in a way that maximises the nutrients released into the ecosystem. As a result, the land becomes available for reuse relatively quickly, enabling another body to be laid to rest in the same plot. This practice is already happening in some conventional cemeteries in Europe, and several natural burial grounds in the UK are now offering plots for a set period of time. By adopting natural burial, we eliminate the need for continual expansion of burial grounds, contributing to a more sustainable approach to body disposition.

A final point to consider is the distinction between burial types that are often promoted as natural but don't fully align with the best practices outlined above. One such trend is bushland burial spaces offered in some cemeteries, where burials occur in bushland settings. However, these do not necessarily meet the key principles of natural burial. Another example is vertical burial, available in a few locations across Australia. While vertical burial offers a space-saving solution by allowing more bodies to be interred per acre, it does not contribute to the earth’s ecology in the way natural burial does. The deep 3-metre graves used in vertical burial result in limited nutrient release to the surrounding land, undermining the ecological benefits that are a central tenet of natural burial.

Natural burial is a responsible, sustainable, and financially viable alternative to conventional burial, offering a significantly greater environmental benefit compared to flame cremation. Just like any other end-of-life decision, there is considerable variation in how natural burial can be conducted, and many people are often unaware of the wide range of choices available to them. By becoming proactive, informed, and enhancing your death literacy, you'll discover that there is far more agency and choice in the end-of-life process than you might have realised. This is particularly significant if your intention is for your final act on this earth to be a meaningful one—returning the elements of your body to the earth that gave them to you.

For more information please visit our dedicated page Natural Burial Grounds or download our Fact Sheet

Natural Burial

What is Natural Burial?

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