Frequently Asked Cemetery Questions
Cemeteries - General
Who’s responsibility is it to look after/maintain headstones?
The upkeep of headstones and memorials is the responsibility of the family.
What is the process for getting a headstone installed?
A headstone permit is required from the Tararua District Council prior to the erection of any monument, memorial, headstone, foundation or any other structure.
What can headstones be made of?
Each erected memorial shall be constructed of a material that will not deteriorate over time.
Can we transfer reserved plots to others if we no longer require them?
Yes you can. The Council will need a letter from you stating who you are wanting the plot to go to and also your copy of the agreement will need to be returned and a new one created.
Can I choose a plot?
Yes you can choose a plot in most Cemeteries.
How many coffins can be buried in one plot?
Up to two coffins can be buried in a single plot.
How many ashes can be interred in an ashes plot?
Up to two urns.
Can I inter ashes in a burial plot when someone is already buried there?
In most cases this is possible.
Where can I find information on Cemetery Bylaws?
Can I bury someone myself?
No other person than the Sexton or assistants of the Sexton or any other person duly authorised by the Council shall dig any grave in, or open the ground for burial in, any part of the cemetery (page 2 of the Bylaw linked above).
Can I be buried in a plot owned by someone else?
Yes, you can, as long as we have a copy of their written permission.
Can we dig the grave?
No, under current regulations only Council Staff are authorised to dig graves in any of our Cemeteries.
Can I bury my pet in the Cemetery?
No, animals cannot be buried in our Cemeteries.
Cemeteries - Plot Decorations
What decorations can we put on out plot?
- Tributes may be placed on the soil of new burial plot within the cemetery but must be removed within three months of an interment.
- Grave decorations must not inhibit the proper maintenance, use or operation of the Cemetery or other plots.
- Tributes and grave decorations must not be likely to cause a nuisance or likely to constitute a hazard.
- Shrubs or trees must not be planted in any cemetery by any person without the Council’s prior approval.
- No person is permitted to decorate any plot that has not been used for interment.
Where can we put the decorations on the plot?
Tributes that are intended to remain beyond three months of an interment must be left in containers placed on the monument or the concrete beam of a plot, or placed on the concrete berm within the plot space. Please talk to us if you are not sure.
Why can’t we decorate our plot as we please?
Burial Plots naturally settle and sink over the months and sometimes years following a burial. Our contractors are required to continue ongoing maintenance of the settling to top up soil and re grass the graves as required. This maintenance can not be carried out with a decorated plot.
Decorated plots substantially decrease the space available for excavation, preparation and funeral processions of any plots within the vicinity. This increases the operational risk to our Burial Contractors and impacts the safety of grieving families to inter their loved ones in our lawn cemeteries in future.
Decorated plots also increase grounds maintenance like line trimming, push mowing, increasing the cost to council/rate payers.
The standard plot settling maintenance cannot be carried out with decorations on top of the plots and the nature of the decorations poses health and safety issues for the grounds maintenance, which increases the mowing, line trimming and spraying required by our contractors.
Space between plots is required for a burial. The soil for reinstatement takes up 3-5 plots alone. More space is required for lowering devices, pallbearers, and for movement around the plot. In some cases, there is no room for the pall bearers to walk around a new grave to place the casket for interment.
Who is responsible for the decorations on the plot?
Tributes and grave decorations are solely the responsibility of plot owners and next of kin of those interred.
Can council remove the decorations from a plot without our consent?
Council Officers or an Authorised Agent may immediately remove and dispose of any:
a) Tributes and Grave Decorations that breach this - the Bylaw;
b) Neglected, broken or unsafe tributes and grave decorations, or broken vases or containers;
c) Tributes and grave decorations deemed by a Council Officer or Authorised Agent to be offensive, unsightly, or inappropriate.
Q. Who can we contact of we have any questions about decorated plots?
For all enquiries about cemeteries, please contact cemeteries@tararuadc.govt.nz or call us on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.”