Natural Burials with Newhaven Funerals
Alberton Cemetery
For those seeking a respectful, eco-conscious farewell, Natural Burials, also known as Eco or Green Burials, offer a powerful way to honour life and preserve the earth. Alberton Cemetery, managed by the City of Gold Coast, is home to the only designated natural burial area in the Gold Coast region.
Alberton Cemetery is located on Zipfs Road, Alberton QLD 4207, conveniently located a short 5 minute drive from Eco Memorial Park- home of Newhaven Funerals.
What Are Natural Burials?
Natural burials embrace a back-to-nature philosophy by eliminating embalming fluids, metal caskets, concrete vaults and more, instead, the body is placed directly into the earth – wrapped in an organic shroud or enclosed in a biodegradable coffin made of untreated pine, wicker, or willow. Graves in the natural burial section of Alberton Cemetery are dug to approximately 1.2 meters, promoting faster decomposition and microbial activity.
Located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Alberton Cemetery’s natural burial zone reflects serene rural landscape and gentle preservation of nature.
Individual graves in the natural burial area do not have traditional headstones or individual markers. Instead, a communal memorial located at the entrance displays inscriptions featuring only the first name, surname, date of birth, and date of death of those buried there. Each loved one’s unique coordinates, along with these details, are inscribed together on a leaf-shaped plaque. This plaque is then placed on the designated communal monument, providing a simple yet meaningful way to remember and locate each resting place.
Newhaven Funerals: Supporting Green Burial Choices
Planning any type of burial can feel overwhelming, but at Newhaven Funerals, we provide compassionate and practical support to guide families from the very beginning. Our Stapylton office is conveniently located within the tranquil grounds of
Eco Memorial Park, just a short five-minute drive from Alberton Cemetery, making it easy for families to access both locations.
Our eco-friendly funeral services are thoughtfully designed to honor your loved ones while minimising environmental impact. We offer a variety of biodegradable coffin options that naturally break down over time, allowing for a gentle and respectful return to the earth. In partnership with Alberton Cemetery, we arrange natural burials within a specially designated green burial area, offering a serene and sustainable final resting place.
At every stage of the process, our caring team is here to provide comprehensive support and guidance, helping families make informed decisions that reflect their values and wishes with dignity and respect.
Why Choose a Natural Burial?
❖ Sustainability at the Heart: Natural burials avoid harmful chemicals and materials, leaving a lighter footprint on the environment.
❖ Natural Landscape Preservation: The burial area encourages natural flora and fauna to flourish – there are no grave markers, though families may attach a leaf-shaped plaque to a communal memorial. *** see below
❖ Cost-Aware Farewell: Without the need for ornate caskets or vaults, natural burials tend to be more affordable than traditional burial options.
❖ Simple and Meaningful: Many find natural burials to be a more heartfelt, intimate way to celebrate life – rooted in nature and devoid of unnecessary excess.
Why Are There Strict Rules Around Natural Burials in Queensland?
While natural burials are simpler in practice, they come with a clear set of strict rules and regulations. From burial depth to location and materials, these rules are essential. The central goal of a natural burial is to allow the body to return to the earth naturally.
❖ Your loved one must be dressed in fully biodegradable clothing, such as 100% cotton.
❖ All items placed with your loved one must be bio degradeable, this means that no; plastic, metal, rubber, ceramic items etc… can be placed in the grave.
❖ The coffin or shroud bearer must be made of bio degradable material such as wicker / willow or equivalent.
❖ No embalming or mortuary preparation – Due to the chemicals and non biodegradable items involved in embalming and basic mortuary preparation, these practices are not allowed to take place.
The strict rules surrounding natural burials are not an obstacle – they are a guarantee of integrity, safety, and environmental safekeeping. By choosing a natural burial through Alberton Cemetery and working with our experienced funeral directors at Newhaven Funerals, you ensure that your farewell honours both your loved one and the planet.
Let nature be the resting place – and let Newhaven Funerals help guide the way.
