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Finding a person’s last resting place is an important part of bringing a person’s life to a close and providing those left behind with a recognised place to grieve and remember.
If a person chooses burial, the cost in Auckland ranges from $2200 to $8400 for a plot that allows for two body burials and up to 16 sets of ashes.
Burial plots can be purchased in advance in most cemeteries, but if no burial has taken place within 60 years of purchase, the plot returns to council ownership.
Digging fees range from $1200 to $2000 and must be paid at the time of the burial, and additional fees apply for burials on weekends, public holidays, and after hours.
In addition to the cemetery fees, other typical costs include the funeral director, embalming (if chosen), casket or shroud, flowers, celebrant, venue and headstone.
The cost of an adult cremation at a council crematorium is $650 with additional charges on weekends and public holidays.
If a family decides to scatter the ashes of the deceased there are a few things to
think about.
Different cultures have different ways of dealing with cremation and ashes, and it is important that these are considered.
Dispersal of ashes in waterways, for instance, is culturally inappropriate for Māori, whereas this is a special part of the cultural beliefs of others.
The best advice is to speak to tangata whenua (the people of the land) before scattering ashes in the ocean or flowing water.
Auckland’s regional parks, the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa and Parnell Rose Gardens have prohibited the scattering of ashes in their parks and gardens. Ash scattering is also discouraged in local parks and on sports fields, where visitors picnic, exercise and relax.
Many places, like privately owned public gardens, hospices and cemeteries, have ash scattering areas or memorial options.
Ashes can be scattered on private property, if the property owner gives their permission first.
