21 Nov 2017

Christchurch’s first eco-burial site has opened in Diamond Harbour.

The 12-plot “natural” burial site was officially opened in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery last Thursday.

The entry to the Diamond Harbour cemetery.

Diamond Harbour's Memorial Garden Cemetery now has 12 plots for natural burials.

The “green” site is the culmination of an extensive community collaboration between the Christchurch City Council and the Diamond Harbour Eco-Burial Group.

Council Head of Parks Brent Smith says eco burials have become more popular amid a greater focus on the environment and “natural” values.

“While traditional funeral methods remain the norm, more people are opting for an environmentally friendly final resting place,” he says.

“The eco burial site – the first in Christchurch – offers a green alternative to the conventional funeral, along with many ecological benefits for the area.

“It provides people with another option that may better suit their commitment to the environment.”

An eco-burial site features shallow plots at a depth within the “living soil layer”. Each “green” site is different to suit the local conditions.
In Diamond Harbour, the plots are “slightly shallower” than a standard full burial.

The bodies, which are not embalmed, are dressed in natural, biodegradable materials. The coffin is also biodegradable and non-toxic.

Within a year of burial, the plots are over-planted with native trees and shrubs so that the area eventually resembles a regenerated nature area.

The Council is investigating other possible eco burial sites in the city.