Whangarei man hoping for a natural burial area to be established

David Stevens wants a natural burial where he can give back to the earth. Photo/John Stone

When his time comes, Whangarei man David Stevens wants to be buried naturally, with no fuss.

The 77-year-old wants that to be in Whangarei, and hopes the Whangarei District Council will establish a natural burial ground. The council is aware local people are interested and nationally there is a growing trend for these types of burials.

"The idea behind it is that you give back to earth or nature, what you have taken from earth or nature," Stevens said.

A natural burial means no embalming fluid, and the person is wrapped in a shroud or put in a box made from cardboard or willow.

Often saplings or plants are planted over the person and use the nutrients from the body to grow.

There is also very little in the way of marking who is buried there. No headstones, but just plants or other natural markings.

Stevens first encountered the concept when visiting his sisters in Hampshire, England, in 2016.

One of his sisters lived near a natural burial site, which was not a cemetery, but a woodland area.

"I went there and it was beautiful. It had no evidence that man had left his footprint there at all."

Stevens said he has already had one scare from the hospital. Last year he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, which had spread to his liver and kidney, and he was told he had two months to live.

He received treatment and six months later he was told he was in complete remission.

It got him thinking about how he would like to be interred.

"It's been very much in my mind from that time."

He did some research and found the closest place he could have a natural burial was in a cemetery in Auckland.

Stevens has also decided he doesn't want a ceremony, but would be okay with his friends down at the pub having a drink for him.

"The whole point of this is giving back to earth because the earth has been so good to me I feel like I owe it."

Stevens said he asked Whangarei District Council about establishing a natural burial site, and was told it was considering it.

Council parks and recreation manager Sue Hodge said the council was considering providing natural burials and looking at a possible site in Maunu Cemetery.

"Council will formally consider setting aside a natural burial area over the next three months."

She said the council has been told there are some people interested but nationally there is a growing trend for these types of burials.

"Currently we are finalising details and ensuring the Ministry of Health (as it administers the Burials and Cremation Act) is satisfied with our burial specifications and proposed location at Maunu cemetery."

She said cultural values regarding burials and how cemeteries operate vary significantly.

"Ensuring we consider these values will be important if we do set aside a natural burial area."

Stevens said the proposed site at Maunu Cemetery was "better than nothing".

He said if a natural burial area was established at the Maunu Cemetery, it's where he would be buried.

Stevens would still have rathered the council had chosen a piece of land somewhere peaceful away from the city.

He said the cemetery setting felt a bit regulated - still seemed like plots lined up next to each other.

However, he said he did not know of anywhere in New Zealand where a natural burial site had been established outside of a cemetery.

Stevens said he hoped it was something the council would still consider.

"I hope so but, in the meantime, anywhere is better than nowhere."