Natural burial site on way

Work has begun on developing the natural burials site at the Aramoho Cemetery.
In April, the Wanganui District Council decided to set aside 1700sq m of the cemetery, next to the Muslim section, for natural burials.
In a natural burial, also known as a green burial, the body is not embalmed and is usually wrapped only in a shroud, although a biodegradable casket can be used.
Natural burials require their own section of the cemetery because the bodies are buried at a shallow depth to allow them to decompose naturally. No headstones or artificial decorations may be used on the site, to preserve the environment.
Wanganui District councillor Ray Stevens, council's infrastructure and property committee chairman, said work began last week on the natural burial site, which would cost $10,000.
A totara hedge had been planted as a border.
"Signs will be put up and some trees removed that do not fit with the native plant theme of the site," he said.
"We also need to draw up a burial plan."
The council had received one inquiry about the natural burials, Mr Stevens said.
"We anticipate the natural burials area will be operational within six months.
"Our sexton and contract supervisor will visit other cemeteries already providing this service, prior to offering it ourselves."
Mr Stevens said a water pipe was also being replaced at Aramoho Cemetery.
Wanganui man John Milnes was particularly pleased to know the natural burial site was going ahead. Mr Milnes set the ball rolling for natural burials in Wanganui when he made a submission to the council in 2006, asking for a natural burial site to be considered.
"It is literally a more natural way of burial, without any chemicals," he said.
He knew of several Wanganui people who were interested in natural burials.
"I think it will become more popular now. It hasn't been available in Wanganui before so it hasn't had much publicity."
Mr Milnes said he hoped to one day be buried at the site.
"I'm not in any rush, but that is the way I'd like to go."
Laura Cleveland, from Cleveland Funeral Home, told the Wanganui Chronicle in April that her firm could carry out natural burials if people wanted them.
Mrs Cleveland said there had been some interest in natural burials, but most people opted for the eco burial, which she described as a compromise between a traditional burial and a natural burial.
"We offer a natural pine casket with an unbleached calico lining. There's no synthetics at all," she said.
Eco burials did not require the body to be buried in a separate part of the cemetery.
"Most people want to be buried near their family, not off on their own in a different part of the cemetery," Mrs Cleveland said.