Natural burials introduced

For people looking for a final resting place in a natural setting, Mangawhai Cemetery is offering an organic funeral option.

Located along Cove Road, the cemetery has a designated area in the bush for natural, environmentally friendly burials. Created by the cemetery’s volunteers, with help from the Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust (aka the Trackies), natural burials also create a sacred living memorial site among the native bush, cemetery sexton Margie Murray says. 

“We’ve had the idea of offering natural burials for several years and when Eva Rapp, our current chair, came on board, she made it happen,” Murray says. “We had our first burial around Christmas and it couldn’t have been more perfect.” 

In preparation for the ceremony, the deceased must not be embalmed and must be clothed only in biodegradable fabrics without any synthetic materials such as buttons, stitching and lining. Inorganic items including watches, jewellery and devices are not permitted, with the exception of pacemakers and joint replacements. The body has to be buried in a casket made of either untreated softwood, wicker or cardboard with no lining and minimum use of joinery materials such as glues and screws, or a natural shroud with a wooden bearer.

“Unlike the traditional grave of six feet under, bodies are laid down at a depth of only 800mm, in the active layer of the soil,” Rapp says. “This lowers the environmental impact and shortens the decomposition time. Plots are then partially refilled with compost to help enrich the soil. People can then plant native bushes and trees on the site a year after the burial when the soil has settled.”

Gravesites are marked by ‘green headstones’ such as a stone block, rocks or logs with no carvings. Plastic flowers, jars and other items found in traditional cemeteries are not permitted. A GPS and plot marker will also be installed to help identify graves.

Burial sites cannot be pre-bought and are chosen on the day of the funeral to suit the conditions at the time. Fees for providing the natural burial service are similar to the traditional method.   

Operating since the late 1940s, Mangawhai Cemetery’s 4.4ha grounds include traditional burial sites and an RSA memorial wall. It is one of two ‘non-council administered’ gravesites in the area, with the other being Hakaru’s St Michael’s Church.

Although owned by Kaipara District Council which mows the lawns, the maintenance, including preparing new burial sites, lies solely with the devoted team of volunteers. 

Anyone interested in attending working bees or volunteering should contact Mangawhai Cemetery chair Eva Rapp on 027 354 6021.