What actually makes a natural burial?
🌿 or should that be… a burial, natural?
The words “natural burial” are becoming increasingly common, but did you know that there isn’t a single nationally legislated definition of what a natural burial actually is in Australia?
The Natural Death Advocacy Network (NDAN) has developed its own Natural Burial Standards and Code of Conduct to provide some consistency and help families understand what they are actually choosing.
According to NDAN, a natural burial should involve things such as:
🌱 A single-depth grave
🌱 Only one body per plot
🌱 No more than one metre of soil above the body or container
🌱 A biodegradable coffin or natural-fibre shroud
🌱 No plastic unless it is compostable
🌱 No underground vault
🌱 No chemical preparation or embalming, except in exceptional circumstances
🌱 Natural clothing and materials
🌱 Protection and enhancement of the surrounding ecosystem
But NDAN goes further than just what goes into the ground.
Its Code of Conduct also addresses things like environmental management, transparency about the site, the materials permitted, memorials, grave digging, family participation, pricing, complaints procedures and the future management of the burial ground (things I hadn’t really thought of, till delving into the Funeral Industry Planet Mark report from 2023). NDAN members also agree to allow families to participate in digging and/or backfilling where possible and permitted by law.
And this is where things get interesting.
Take Nikenbah Natural Cemetery in Queensland.
Fraser Coast Regional Council describes Nikenbah as a dedicated natural burial ground, with native bushland, biodegradable coffins and natural-fibre shrouds. It permits only single burials, doesn’t allow individual headstones and says graves are prepared using mechanical equipment. It also requires all burials to be arranged through a recognised funeral director.
Yet Nikenbah is not an NDAN Natural Burial Ground member.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Nikenbah isn’t a natural burial ground — in fact, NDAN itself includes Nikenbah in its broader Australian list of places offering some form of natural burial.
The distinction is important.
NDAN’s map is specifically a map of members who have formally agreed to NDAN’s Code of Conduct and Standards. Its broader directory acknowledges that natural burial offerings vary considerably from place to place.
So when someone says:
“We offer natural burial”
perhaps the better question is:
“What do you mean by natural burial?”
Does the burial meet recognised natural burial standards?
Can the family participate?
How deep is the grave?
What happens to the body before burial?
What materials are permitted?
Are there restrictions on memorials?
How is the surrounding ecosystem protected?
Who controls the site and how will it be managed into the future?
And perhaps most importantly:
Are you simply offering a burial in an area called “natural”, or are you actually committed to the principles of natural burial?
There is a growing demand for people to have funerals that are simpler, more personal and kinder to the environment.
But with that comes a need for clear information and genuine choice.
Natural burial shouldn’t just be a label.
🌿 It should mean something.
For the past 24 months, we’ve been actively looking for opportunities for genuine natural burial in our region, talking with both private landholders and council about what might be possible.
We believe our region should have the opportunity to choose a burial that genuinely reflects their values including the opportunity to return to the earth in a way that is simple, meaningful and environmentally responsible.
We’re still looking, and we’ll keep talking, asking questions and exploring what’s possible. 🌿
Sources: Natural Death Advocacy Network - Natural Burial Grounds, Natural Burial Standards and Code of Conduct; Fraser Coast Regional Council — Nikenbah Natural Cemetery.