THE DIAMOND HARBOUR COMMUNITY IS BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL GREEN BURIAL SITE IN THE DIAMOND HARBOUR MEMORIAL GARDENS CEMETERY AT STODDART POINT
What are Green Burials, and are they the same as Eco Burials?
There are a number of different terms: “Eco-burial”, “Natural burial”, and “Green burial” that are used to mean different things…
An “Eco-burial” is a general term for burial that is more environmentally friendly than the usual burial process in New Zealand.
A “Natural burial” is an Eco-burial where there is a shallow plot at a depth within the living soil layer, the deceased is not embalmed, is dressed in natural, biodegradable materials, and the coffin or shroud is also biodegradable and non-toxic. Plots are filled with living soil, and within a year are over-planted with native trees and shrubs, so the whole area will eventually resemble regenerated forest.
A “Green burial” is the term used by the Christchurch City Council for a burial in a designated area within an existing Council cemetery, where most of the Natural burial aspects are included.
This Diamond Harbour Green Burials site was opened in November 2017, and was the first green burials area to be opened in the greater Christchurch area. The Diamond Harbour community, led by Ann Thornton, engaged with the Christchurch City Council over many years to make this a reality. The Council cemeteries team created a wonderful space for green burials here, with the first area of 6 plots planted out in October 2020, and looking beautiful now 🙂Â
Sadly, Ann passed away in June 2023. But fittingly, she now rests beside her husband in the green burials area, near a stone birdbath that bears a plaque in her honour.Â
The available space for green burials at Diamond Harbour is relatively small, so it is currently restricted to people from the area or with a strong connection to the area. Since December 2019 Christchurch has been served by a much larger green burial area at the Yaldhurst cemetery. This is open to all residents of greater Christchurch.Â
Here’s a few things to note about Green burials at the Diamond Harbour Cemetery:
There is no pre-purchasing of plots allowed.
The CCC Cemeteries Handbook states that the minimum cover above the casket is to be 800mm. So the casket will be well below the living soil layer at the cemetery: it appears to be in amongst a dense clay layer. If you are contemplating a green burial here, you may wish to talk to the CCC Cemeteries administrator about whether there are any options when re-filling the plot.
For more details about the CCC Green burial requirements, take a look at the Cemeteries Handbook, downloadable from the CCC website, or try this link:
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Services/Cemeteries/Cemeteries-Handbook.pdf
See below for links to more information:
Conversations on death and dying are held in the Heathcote Community Centre on the 2nd Saturday of the month 9.30 till 11am. Koha for rental of the venue. All welcome.
If you have questions, these are the people to contact:
John Allen at lytteltoninterfaith@gmail.com or 021 365 966 for advice on the process of preparation for a green burial. John can also perform ceremonies and burial events.
Cemeteries Administrator: cemeteries@ccc.govt.nz or 03 941 8999 for questions about the details of green burials in the greater Christchurch area, or for pre-booking a plot, or arranging a green burial.
Eric Banks, Senior Network Planner, Parks Unit: Eric.Banks@ccc.govt.nz or 03 941 8999, for general enquiries or comments about green burials in CCC cemeteries.
Veronika Gabel veronika.gabel@hotmail.com or 021 159 6482, or Joy McLeod joyhdk64@gmail.com for general questions or comments about the Diamond Harbour green burials site.
If you have any concerns or questions about the Diamond Harbour green burials site that you would like raised, you can contact the Diamond Harbour Community Association Secretary (Christine) directly: turnedturner@gmail.com or alternatively, you can contact Joy McLeod, who is happy to raise the matter at the next DHCA meeting: joyhdk64@gmail.com
Links to other useful websites:
https://www.naturalburials.co.nz/
https://www.returntosender.co.nz/ Â Â (for natural caskets)
https://makaropress.co.nz/submarine-books-2/better-send-off-the-ultimate-funeral-guide-by-gail-mcjorrow/ Â Â (a great resource for dyi funerals)
If you have any other questions feel free to contact me:
Mark Watson
At Yaldhurst Cemetery “green Burial” sites, when will NZ natives be planted?
Will my titanium joints cause any problems at burial, can they be recycled?
When is the next 2022 meeting in Heathcote for Green Burial information be held?
Kia ora Linda,
For questions about what can go with you in a burial at any particular green burial site, and how/when each green burial site is overplanted, etc, I’d recommend you contact the Cemeteries Administrator: cemeteries@ccc.govt.nz or 03 941 8999.
For questions about the Heathcote meetings, I’d suggest you contact John Allen at lytteltoninterfaith@gmail.com or 021 365 966.
Updated suggested SUBMISSION wording from Ann Thornton for you to use or edit as appropriate:
CEMETERIES BYLAW AND HAND BOOK REVIEW
Name:
Address:
Public hearing: I wish/do not wish to speak at the public hearing
Comments: I am completing this submission on behalf of myself
I support the plan
I generally support the plan but have some concerns
I do not support the plan
COMMENTS:
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the following issues:
2.8.3 DIAMOND HARBOUR MEMORIAL GARDEN CEMETERY:
No pre purchasing is available at this cemetery for any plot.
In the period from October 2017 to July 2018 there have been 2 burials in the Green Burial site. In May 2017 before this designated area was available there were 2 green burials in a neighbouring area. There are now only 10 green burial plots available in the green burial site where over planting with trees is permitted. At this rate of interest there will soon be no plots available in the designated area.
Ideally I would like pre-purchase of green burial plots to be possible or at least pre purchase of another plot when one partner has been buried.
If this can not be made possible, in view of people wanting to be buried in the same area as they have lived and in the same cemetery as their partner, and also for the convenience of families I urge Council to plan to provide another designated green burial site in the Diamond Harbour Cemetery as soon as possible.
3.6.1.3 MEMORIALS:
Memorials such as placing headstones on a green burial plot are not permitted.
This is normal practice. However, when the green burial area at Diamond Harbour was being developed it was decided that two bench seats be installed there. At the time the possibility was discussed, if families so wished, that matching memorial plaques could be installed at the families’ expense on the bench seats.
I would like to encourage Council to permit this.
SHORT SUBMISSION suggested wording from Ann Thorton:
2.8.3 DIAMOND HARBOUR MEMORIAL GARDEN CEMETERY:
No pre purchasing is available at this cemetery for any plot.
In the period from October 2017 to July 2018 there have been 2 burials in the Green Burial site. In May 2017 before this designated area was available there were 2 green burials in a neighbouring area. There are now only 10 green burial plots available in the green burial site where over planting with trees is permitted. At this rate of interest there will soon be no plots available in the designated area.
Because of the no pre purchasing rule and in view of people wanting to be buried in the same area as they have lived and in the same cemetery as their partner, and also for the convenience of families I urge Council to plan to provide another designated green burial site in the Diamond Harbour Cemetery as soon as possible.
3.6.1.3 MEMORIALS:
Memorials such as placing headstones on a green burial plot are not permitted.
This is normal practice. However, when the green burial area at Diamond Harbour was being developed it was decided that two bench seats be installed there. At the time the possibility was discussed, if families so wished, that matching memorial plaques could be installed at the families’ expense on the bench seats.
I would like to encourage Council to permit this.
Message from Rosemary Tredgold:
Conversations on Death and Dying.
You are invited to join us for one or more of these monthly discussions . To cover some practical information, some sharing of general issues and feelings and some sharing of ideas as to how we can live life to the full whilst we can
Where Quaker Centre 213 Ferry Rd
When Saturday March 4th 10 30 am to 12.0pm Koha
Please will you ring me on 325 5770 or email me rvctredgold@gmail.com if you are planning to come
With best wishes Rosemary Tredgold
Thank you to all continue to work towards the establishment of natural burial sites. We watch this space with interest, and are both available to offer our enthusiasm and support.
Thank you for your offer of enthusiasm and support , Catherine and Willie. Contact me and/or Emilie if you would like to go on our email contact lists for regular updates in addition to what appears on this site. (See above “Do you want to get involved?”)
Hi Ann.
I have clients who want to bury their mother in Diamond Harbour’s natural burial park this Thursday. Is it open and available for use yet? I have written to Eric at CCC and am waiting to hear back from him about this. I can’t find your contact details anymore. Please make contact with me if you can. Living Legacies. 03 528 5220. Lynda@Livinglegacies.co.nz
Thanks for all your work on this! We’re getting there!!!
Lynda
Hi Lynda,
Thank you for your enquiry in relation to your clients wanting to bury their parent in the proposed Diamond Harbour green burial site. It is disappointing and frustrating that Eric’s response is that this isn’t possible yet because of various consents that still need to be negotiated. Currently, he is indicating that the CCC’s intention is that the green burial area be available for burials by “the winter of 2017.”
In the meanwhile thank you for your encouragement to keep persevering in our request to Council for the eco-burail to be available as soon as possible!
My name is Geoff Bradley. I’m a retired G.P. with a long interest in ‘natural burials’. Hard to get far at a party with that interest being held dear to ones heart! I’d just like to say congratulations on bringing a dedicated site to pass, and to comment on the overuse of native species in your vegetation plan. The world is full of desirable, beautiful trees and shrubs. Don’t let fashion conscious landscapers and bureaucracy spoil your achievement. Birds love trees: the shelter, warmth and food those trees provide. The vegetation should be a gift to those who’ve gone before, and contributors to the ultimate beauty of their resting place.
Hullo all. You’ve not heard my voice before. My name is Geoff Bradley. I live in Kaiapoi. Iive been banging away on the issue of ‘natural burials’ ever since I read an article in the ‘Press’ several years ago. I have been in touch with Mark and the Wellington group for sometime. Mark referred me to Ann, and through her patient emails, I’ve managed to keep in touch with what’s happening ‘out there’. I’ll maintain this contact both through this blog, and my annoying correspondence with Ann.
A point I’ve made to Ann relates to the notion of ‘native’ vegetation. For many years now its been fashionable to drape every public space with native vegetation. There are some few natives worthy of that role, but they are, in my opinion few in number. Hoheria lyalli springs to mind. The world is full of beautiful trees and shrubs. Birds don’t pick and choose that much. In time this will be a place of great beauty. Important then not to be swayed my myopic bureaucracy of fashion following landscapers. There will never be unanimous opinion on this entirely subjective notion. I’d suggest a special sub group be set up to steer this vitally important aspect of your achievement. Best wishes.
Is it possible to prearrange a natural burial in Christchurch at this time?
Thank you for your query, Felicity.
In the Christchurch Cemeteries Master Plan, and Handbook June, 2013 the Council has made a commitment to providing a designated natural burial site. Because the Council has to date not been able to find a suitable area for such a site in the meanwhile it is making provision for Green Burials. A green burial is the burial of an unembalmed body in biodegradable coffin or shroud at as shallow a depth as possible.
The CCC states that the difference between Eco-burials (also referred to as natural burials) and a green burial is that Green Burials may take place in any operational cemetery but that planting on top of the grave is not possible.
Council is currently working on a plan to provide an area in the Diamond Harbour Memorial Garden Cemetery for green burials. This will be specially landscaped and include planting of native vegetation over the burial sites. Currently these green plots are not available for purchase in advance.
For further information about the CCC development of natural burial options contact Eric Banks email: Eric.Bank@ccc.govt.nz
In the meanwhile an individual can make preparations for a natural burial by researching availability of biodegradable coffins or considering the possibility of having one specially made and giving thought to other details of a personalized burial.
Hello fellow Natural Burial supporters,
Had a sweet meeting with Ann at the site this morning to soak up the sun and bird song , and get in the know about where the project is at .
so really appreciating all the enthusiasm. And excited that the council are finally on board with the vision .
Ann has asked me to be a contact person for design ideas
So please contact me on johnallenzen@hotmail.com,
Thanks Mark , for initiating this blog
Happy spring .
John allen