‘Natural’ burial leads to life after death (New Zealand)
By NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post
Dying might seem like the ultimate way to reduce one’s carbon footprint, but a new approach to being buried could breathe life into the environment.
New Zealand’s first “natural” burial took place yesterday at the cemetery grounds in Makara.
The body was not embalmed but placed in an untreated wooden casket, then buried to about half the depth of a traditional grave. As it is closer to active soil, the body could decompose within five years - three times faster than normal.
Research by Natural Burials, a non-profit organisation, suggests that more than one-third of Wellingtonians would consider the burial technique. About 100 people had already registered.
“Many people find the idea of lying in peace in a native forest and contributing to the creation of that forest through the death process very comforting and satisfying. There’s no risk or weirdness to it,” founder Mark Blackham said.
It took Mr Blackham about eight years to get from the planning stage to yesterday’s burial as Wellington City Council officials had been concerned about animals digging up the graves and possible health problems.