Burials
Burials are available at the council’s main Aramoho Cemetery and at the three small rural cemeteries on request.
A plot must be bought, or already owned by the family, in order for it to be used.
Plots are available at single depth, or in some cases, double depth depending on location.
Within Aramoho Cemetery there is an Islamic area, a natural burials area and Returned Services Association areas.
In addition to the cost of buying a plot, the process of burial also requires a fee. The council subsidises cemetery costs by 25% – a surcharge on plot purchases and burials is added for those who were not resident in Whanganui at the time of their death.
Families will also need to consider funeral director costs into their planning. These costs, because they rely on personal choice, are not listed here.
Important information on groundwater in graves during burials
Due to naturally occurring groundwater conditions within parts of Aramoho Cemetery, families may observe water within an open grave despite pumping and preparation efforts.
Groundwater levels can change rapidly depending on seasonal conditions, rainfall and site location. Elevated groundwater levels are more likely to occur during periods of heavy rain and winter conditions.
During burial arrangements, known or anticipated groundwater conditions will be discussed with the applicant and funeral director wherever possible so that families have a clear understanding of what to expect before the service.
Groundwater at Aramoho Cemetery
Groundwater is a known condition within parts of the cemetery and may be encountered during grave excavation. It is naturally occurring and is common in many cemeteries throughout New Zealand with similar ground conditions.
Groundwater conditions can vary across the cemetery and may change from one season to another. Conditions can also vary between neighbouring plots and may change between the time a grave is prepared and the time of interment.
Prior to burial, cemetery staff and contractors take reasonable steps to manage groundwater, including pumping out water where required. However, groundwater can naturally return after pumping and it is not always possible to completely eliminate water from a grave before or during a burial.
The presence of groundwater does not necessarily prevent a burial from going ahead. Cemetery staff and contractors will assess each situation and determine the safest and most appropriate method for carrying out the interment.
Where groundwater is present, cemetery staff and contractors will manage the burial in a manner that maintains safety, dignity and compliance with industry practice.
What does this mean for families?
Families should be aware that:
- visible water may be present within a grave despite pumping and preparation works
- groundwater can re-enter a grave after it has been pumped out
- groundwater conditions may change rapidly and can vary between grave sites, seasons, and weather conditions
- ground conditions may influence how burial operations are carried out on the day
- deeper excavations, including double-depth burials, may be more likely to encounter groundwater
- in some circumstances, burial procedures may need to be adapted to ensure the burial can proceed safely and respectfully
- where groundwater conditions significantly affect burial planning or burial operations, available options and any proposed alternative arrangements will be discussed with the family and funeral director wherever possible before the service.
Before purchasing a plot
If you are considering purchasing a burial plot, the sexton or your funeral director can discuss any known groundwater considerations with you.
Please note that groundwater conditions are influenced by seasonal and weather-related factors and may change over time.
As part of the plot purchase process, purchasers are required to acknowledge that:
- groundwater may be encountered during grave excavation
- visible water may be present within a grave despite pumping and preparation works
- ground conditions may affect burial operations and burial methods
- this information should be shared with family/whānau and other relevant parties.
Double-depth burials
Families considering a double-depth burial should be aware that deeper excavations may be more likely to encounter groundwater.
While we will do our best to accommodate double-depth burials where possible, ground and groundwater conditions may affect whether a grave can be safely excavated to the depth required. Where this occurs, council staff will discuss available options with the applicant and funeral director.
Existing plot holders
Groundwater conditions may affect any burial, regardless of when a plot was originally purchased.
When a burial is being arranged, council staff, the sexton and funeral directors will discuss any known or anticipated groundwater conditions with the applicant wherever possible. This is to ensure families have the information they need before the day of the service and are aware of any implications for burials.
Natural burials
An area within Aramoho Cemetery has been set aside for natural burials.
The philosophy behind natural burials is that the body is not embalmed and is wrapped in a shroud or biodegradable casket rather than a traditional casket. Natural decomposition takes place, returning the body to the earth in a more environmentally-friendly approach.
At Aramoho Cemetery, a native shrub is planted within the next planting season after each interment. Once four interments are completed, the shrubs are removed and a larger native tree is planted in the area.
No grave markers are permitted because the intention is that this area returns to nature without adornment.
Buying a plot
You can apply to buy a plot for burial or the interment of ashes.
When you buy a plot from the council, you become the deed holder of the plot. You get an exclusive right of interment in perpetuity. The deed holder is the only person who can legally decide who will be interred there by issuing a Right of Interment, and is also who may decide what memorials will be placed there.
To buy a plot you will need to complete the Application to Purchase a Plot form and return it to the sexton. You can also discuss arrangements with your funeral director who will act on your behalf with the sexton if you would prefer.
The sexton will discuss availability and requirements, such as whether you require a double plot or single, and whether you have any additional needs from the plot such as denomination.
At some of the council’s sites, ground water may be an issue during winter months or prolonged periods of wet weather. This is commonplace throughout New Zealand.
Before buying a plot your funeral director or the sexton will discuss with you the possibility of water in the grave at the time of interment. We encourage you to review the information in the section below before making a plot purchase.