In Australia, eco-friendly cemeteries are gaining traction as an alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods. These “green burials” minimise the environmental impact of a burial while respecting cultural and spiritual traditions.
This article explores eco-friendly cemeteries, the options available and how they contribute to a more sustainable future.
What is an Eco-Friendly Cemetery?
Eco-friendly cemeteries reduce the ecological footprint of traditional burials. These include:
- Avoiding embalming chemicals such as formaldehyde, which can leach into the soil and water systems.
- Using biodegradable materials for coffins or shrouds. Such materials include untreated wood, cardboard, bamboo, or natural fibres.
- Allowing bodies to decompose naturally, without vaults or concrete liners that hinder this process.
- Minimising land disturbance through natural landscaping and avoiding excessive mowing or pesticides.
- Integrating burial sites with native bushland and protected ecosystems.
- Natural burial sites are often indistinguishable from the surrounding environment. GPS markers or eco-friendly plaques are used instead of traditional grave markers.
Why Choose an Eco-Friendly Burial?
Many Australians are drawn to eco-friendly burials for various reasons, including:
- Lower carbon footprint: Traditional cremation releases around 160kg of carbon dioxide per person, while green burials significantly reduce emissions.
- Conserving natural landscapes: Green cemeteries often double as conservation areas, supporting native flora and fauna.
- Simplicity and cost-effectiveness: Natural burials can be more affordable by avoiding expensive coffins and headstones.
- Alignment with values: An eco-friendly burial provides a fitting final statement for individuals who lived a sustainable lifestyle
Eco-Friendly Cemeteries in NSW
NSW has seen a growth in eco-friendly burial options. Here are some of the key sites:
- Lawn Cemetery – Lismore Memorial Gardens
Lismore Memorial Gardens includes a natural burial section where no headstones are permitted, and only biodegradable materials can be used. Families are encouraged to use shrouds or sustainable coffins. The area is left to regenerate naturally.
- Kemps Creek Cemetery – Sydney
Managed by the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Kemps Creek offers a natural burial ground called Bushland Cemetery. Graves are marked using GPS coordinates, and the area is managed to encourage biodiversity and habitat conservation.
- Canberra Natural Burial Ground
Although located in the ACT, the Canberra Natural Burial Ground is a popular choice for southern NSW residents. This site offers full green burial services aligning with natural principles, including untreated timber caskets and a prohibition on embalming.
- Newcastle Memorial Park – Eco Memorial Garden
This site features an eco-memorial garden that blends sustainable interment with a peaceful, landscaped environment. Options here include tree plantings in honour of the deceased and biodegradable urns for cremated remains.
Eco-Burial Options Across Australia
Eco-friendly burial is not limited to NSW. Across the country, options are expanding as more communities embrace sustainable end-of-life practices.
- Gunghalin Cemetery – ACT
One of Australia’s pioneering green burial sites, Gunghalin offers natural interment. The cemetery uses no concrete vaults and uses native plants to restore the land after each burial.
- Tarrington Natural Burial Ground – Victoria
Located in regional Victoria, Tarrington offers full natural burial services in a tranquil rural setting. It adheres strictly to green burial standards and supports local biodiversity through conservation planting.
- Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park – Western Australia
In Perth, Pinnaroo Valley has been recognised as one of the most environmentally sustainable cemeteries in the southern hemisphere. It incorporates renewable energy, water recycling, and natural burial services within its grounds.
- Enfield Memorial Park – South Australia
This park offers “Living Legacy Forests” where cremated remains are converted into a nutrient solution and used to nourish memorial trees. The result is a vibrant forest that stands as a legacy to those interred.
Cremation Alternatives: A Greener Option?
While green burials are growing in popularity, many Australians still opt for cremation. However, traditional cremation consumes fossil fuels and emits carbon dioxide. In response, several environmentally conscious alternatives are emerging:
- Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)
Also known as resomation, water cremation uses a solution of water and potassium hydroxide to break down the body. It uses far less energy than flame cremation and produces no airborne emissions. While not yet widely available in Australia, this method has been legalised in some states.
- Bio-Cremation and Composting
Still in experimental stages in Australia, these methods involve the rapid decomposition of human remains in controlled environments. The resulting soil-like material can be used in conservation efforts or as a memorial garden base.
Planning for an Eco-Friendly Burial
If you’re considering an environmentally responsible burial, here are a few steps to get started:
- Discuss with family: Talk openly about your wishes and values.
- Choose a provider: Select a cemetery or funeral director that supports green burial practices.
- Specify your preferences: Include your burial wishes in a legal will or advance care plan.
- Use biodegradable materials: Request a shroud or casket made from natural fibres or untreated wood.
- Forego embalming: Embalming is not required by law in most Australian states and is often incompatible with eco-burials.
Legislative Support and Industry Trends
Governments and cemetery authorities are increasingly supportive of eco-burial options. The NSW Government has acknowledged the importance of sustainable interment in its Future Cemeteries Strategy. Industry bodies like the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA) also advocate for greener funeral practices.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly cemeteries offer a meaningful and sustainable way to honour the dead while caring for the environment. From natural bushland burials to innovative composting, the options across NSW and Australia continue to expand.
If you would like to know more about eco-friendly burials, get in touch with Academy Funerals. The team will be delighted to hear from you and happy to help however we can.
