Cremation or Burial?

One of the initial questions you will be asked is whether the funeral is to be followed by a burial or cremation. This is a personal choice, your loved one may have let you know that they have a preference, but if not we will take you through all the options so you can make an informed decision.

Burial

While burial is considered to be traditional, cremation is the most popular option today (around 80% of the funerals we conduct are followed by cremation). Legally, burials need to be in official cemeteries, and a variety of plots are available across the region. Your Funeral Director can assist with finding a plot and will liaise with the contractor to make sure it is prepared in time for the burial. We can also assist with the recommendation, draft, and installation of memorial plaques and headstones.

Map of Dunedin City cemeteries

Natural Burials

Dunedin has a dedicated site for natural burials at the Green Park Cemetery. This type of burial encourages an environmentally friendly process. Untreated caskets are buried within the active soil layer allowing for a more natural decomposition. It is attempted that nothing is introduced to the environment that is not biodegradable and over time flora and fauna will regenerate on the burial site. There are no permanent headstones at this cemetery but graves can be identified by GPS co-ordinates.

Cremation

Following the service it is the family's choice whether to say their goodbye and have the hearse leave for the crematorium, or whether to follow the hearse to the crematorium.

Following the cremation, ashes are returned to the care of the funeral director (usually within 48 hours). Your funeral director will let you know when they are back in their care and then it is up to you to decide to take the next steps. You can arrange a time to collect the ashes or your Funeral Director can care for the ashes until your family is ready.