Natural Burials in the Shoalhaven

My request for a report and feasability study for natural burials in Shoalhaven has lead to a trial for two years.

Council have set aside a portion of the main cemetry at Nowra to accomodate natural burials- the move has been well recieved by berevment services across the city who see it as a progressive move.

heres what Council had to say in its press release.




Shoalhaven Council resolved at its last meeting to approve a trial Natural Burial Portion at the Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens.


The 24 month trial is to determine the community’s reaction to the concept which is a growing trend throughout the world.


The term Natural Burials refers to the management of the deceased body using more traditional and natural methods.


This usually means the body is covered in a shroud and buried in an environmentally friendly box made of cardboard or organic materials such as wicker or plantation timber enabling a natural decomposition that then nourishes the earth.


After interment, a natural burial would see the ground restored to its natural state as soon as possible, as the grave would be marked with a rock or natural shrub rather than a monument.


The land set aside for natural burial could then be used for alternative, but appropriate purposes in the future.


All practices involved with natural burials must comply with the NSW Public Health Regulation (Disposal of Bodies 2000).


This sustainable funeral practice dates back thousands of years but has been interrupted in modern times by technological advances, however since the 1990’s there has been an increasing popularity in this greener alternative.

I hope that people catch on to the idea of natural burial as it is certainly a alternative to spreading ashes in different locations ( I think that this is also a great method of ritual ).