Most people do not realise that the final resting place component of funeral costs is often the largest.  This article discusses the options in choosing a final resting place in Australia. Sydney Coffins is a memorial product and funeral provider in Australia, specialising in unique and personalised coffins, caskets and funerals.

It is common for a burial plot to be determined before a funeral. Most funeral directors will arrange an appointment to a cemetery or memorial park to view and discuss your options.

There are many final resting place options available in Australia. The prices vary greatly depending on the size, style, and location of the resting place. Burial plots in urban high-density areas such as Sydney and Melbourne attract higher prices for burial plots compared to those in rural areas. Due to the great range in prices for a final resting place we recommend our readers spend some time comparing their options.

What is a final resting place?

A final resting place is where a someone is buried. The body of the deceased is buried or the cremated ashes are buried. All cemeteries offer different types of final resting places. We have listed the most common below.

For example:

Burial Funeral 
Below ground resting place – Burial Plot for a coffin/s
Above ground resting place – Crypt for a coffin/s, Mausoleum for a coffin/s

Cremation Funeral
Below ground resting place – Garden for cremation urn/s
Above ground resting place – Monumental area for cremation urn/s, Mausoleum for cremation urn/s
Scattering of ashes

I am religious and l would like to be buried, what options do l have?

Most cemeteries in Australia have areas designated for individual religions. The ceremonies and the burial plots are carried out and created according to cultural practices and religious beliefs. Contact your local cemetery to ensure they have a specific area designated for your particular religion.

Do l have to have a final resting place? Do l have to buy one?

Yes and No.

Yes, you will ultimately have a final resting place on this earth as your physical body or your physical ashes will remain on this earth. Unless you shoot yourself out of this world. Which may be an option for some of us already.

No, you do not have to buy a final resting place. You can have your ashes scattered in a cemetery after gaining permission. However, there are legal provisions in terms of air and water pollution. The local government authorities will set a time, place and certain conditions for when ashes can be scattered.

I want to be buried on my private land, what do l need to know?

It is a difficult task to buried on one’s private land and your council has the right to deny this request. The area must be more than five hectares and the location of the site must be approved for this purpose. The zoning of this land will change to that of a cemetery so be aware that should this land be sold in the future. It will be sold as a ‘cemetery’ zoned land. This could pose problems in selling it in the future.

It must be clear that a burial will not contaminate drinking and domestic water supply of the area. For this reason, many private burials if they do occur are far away from residential urban areas.

I want my body to be buried at sea?

This particular burial is a very difficult one to obtain. Quite a few things need to be presented in order for this burial to legally be accepted.

A connection to the sea would be a primary one which needs to be presented. An application will need to be made to the minister. During the writing of this, article the cost of the application was $1,675. The minister may grant or refuse this request for a sea burial. This fee excludes the boat and other documentation that will need to be done.