The North West Environment Centre (NWEC) is investigating the feasibility of establishing a natural burial site.
What does Natural Bush Burial mean?
There are two components to what is called a Natural Bush Burial. The first is the burial environment and the second is the burial process.
The burial environment reflects the movement of life from the body to the immediate living environment. A safe, peaceful and beautiful burial area abounding with natural life is therefore a key requirement for Natural Burial.
In the burial process no embalming fluids, chemicals or non-biodegradable materials are used. Bodies can be buried in coffins made of wood, cardboard or wicker. Many prefer to be buried simply in a non-synthetic shroud.
Tasmanian legislation does not require burial in a coffin and the popular belief of ‘six feet under’ is also a misconception. Legislation requires the uppermost part of the body to be no less than 1000 mm deep. A shallow burial speeds up the movement of life to the environment. Each burial site is marked and the exact position recorded but there are no headstones or monuments as such.
Some reasons why people choose Bush Burial:
- My body stays within and feeds the natural cycle of organic matter.
- My spirit is at peace with my body resting in a beautiful and alive bush place.
- A Natural Bush Burial is one of the least expensive burial options.
- Cremation does not fit with my religious / personal beliefs and preferences.
- Cremation requires large quantities of fossil fuels, adding to global warming.
- My relatives would prefer to visit my grave in a bush setting.
- I don’t want to add embalming chemicals to the earth or use the earth’s resources to contain my lifeless body.
How do I organise a Bush Burial for myself or someone else?
(remember you are not required to have a funeral director)
- Talk with your executor and family, so that your will is read before burial.
- Insert your wishes into your will
- Contact ‘Care beyond Cure’ for further advice and information: https://carebeyondcure.com.au
Keep a look out for a Bush Burial site announcement:
https://www.nwec-tas.org.au/
or contact Michael Harries for more information: [email protected]
