Green Burials in Australia and Their Planning Challenges

Understanding the environmental, sociocultural, economic and legal contexts are crucial for the provision of burials in a very multicultural Australia. A range of modern-day factors are now directly influencing how we plan and provide for the deceased – some of which include the consideration of an ageing population, a pluralistic society, limited land availability for traditional cemeteries, and a sustainable framework for much of our society’s social practice. A recent global trend of ‘green burials’ has emerged in response to these factors. Green burials, [the term used in this paper] also known as organic burials, natural burials, woodland burials and bushland burials, are now being provided for in seven locations across Australia, with development proposals for more currently emerging. Despite this, there are no standard practice guidelines for those dealing with the burial location environment and the burial process itself. There is also relatively little research being conducted in this area.