Janet CollinsLosing the Plot
November 2nd 2009 04:30
Our cemeteries are running out of space and governments are seeking out alternative methods of burying our dearly departed. This week the NSW Government in Australia announced that proposals are to go before Cabinet to make “natural burials” legal.
If these new burial arrangements come into play, the individual plot will one day be a thing of the past.
That’s not to say that the land shortage problem is a critical one yet but it will be in the not too distant future. It is estimated that there is still enough burial land left in existing cemeteries to last until 2050 although most Council graveyards are expected to fill within ten years and many others on Crown land are expected to be exhausted by 2035.
The natural burial area would be an allocated area in farmland or bushland which would still be an underground burial but without any individual stone or plot to mark the grave. Instead there would be a wall that would be engraved with the names and information of all those who are buried in the grounds, probably at the entrance to the area.
This form of burial not only saves on space because people can be buried closer together, it also allows for coffins to be made in biodegradable material, something that it not permitted at the moment. In fact, in its announcement, the NSW Government even suggested cardboard boxes as an alternative to the traditional wooden ones.
Burials are still very common here even if cremations have become more a more popular over the last few decades. Some religions such as Jewish, Muslim and some Christian faiths still tend to favour a burial over cremation. In our own Aboriginal culture it is much the same.
Because of this, these new proposals may be very popular, although probably not with those who have carved out a nice livelihood in the coffin making industry. Nor would it be too popular, I would imagine, with those who spend their days making stones for the cemetery plots or the plaques to go with them.
In practical terms for the consumer it does make a lot of sense. It also is good news for those of us who are keen on preserving the environment although, as one commentator noted, it is a lot to put the responsibility of environment protection onto those who are no longer with us.
The Catholic Cemeteries Board is all for the idea and announced in this week’s Catholic Weekly its intention to offer its first natural burial area at Kemps Creek from as early as next year.
The Board believes it is a way of preserving the “sacred ritual involved for all religious denominations”.
If this new form of burial and memorial comes into being, the individual plots will not be outlawed but it will allow people to choose and presumably will be far more economical that having a plot of your own.
Natural burials are not exactly new. According to the Catholic Weekly, nine per cent of Catholics in the UK choose them over traditional ones already.
It sounds like a really good idea but I am having trouble imagining a funeral service with a cardboard casket.
Sourced:
www.smh.com.au; www.news.com.au; www.catholicweekly.com.au
Image credit: www.dva.gov.au
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Janet Collins
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Ruby is right. Many religions believe that a body must remain intact for the soul to reach heaven (or wherever it is they believe that our souls go). That is why there is still a tendency towards burials rather than cremations.
Religion aside however, I did at one stage think that I should have a plot of my own, full with plaque to recognise the fact that I had been here but it doesn't matter to me so much now. I suppose others have a thing about having a grave to visit or something like that.
Thank you for the comments.
Comment by RubySoho
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I've often wondered what happens in the cases where IS no body left, eg mangled in a train smash, burnt to a cinder in a plane crash or eaten by wild animals/crazy cannibals. Or missing persons who are never found and properly buried. Does God makes exceptions or will they burn in hell for failing to die and be buried in the appropriate way.
We are going to run out of space. Rookwood cemetery is running out of muslim plots, they go for 10 000 a piece. now that's prime real estate. The nearest muslim cemetery is more than 2 hours drive away so that's a pain in the arse for those that want to visit their loved one's final resting place. I'm going to write a will that stipulates that I want to be cremated. It will horrify my family but fuck it, I'm going to be dead so I won't have to deal with the fall out.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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im with you, Ruby, cremation would be my wish, after i donate whatever can be used to help others
Comment by Janet Collins
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Maybe in time things will gradually change and there won't be any hanging on to old beliefs. Until then, we could invest in plots!
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Janet Collins
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I really value your comments on this one. Sometimes for some people visiting a grave is really precious. I am not really religious myself but I really understand that sometimes these rituals, such as visiting a grave, can bring some sort of connection to some people. If it means that much, who are we to take that away.
Thanks again.
Comment by sam sall
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As for burials of the dead body in the ground it should be done so deep that its smell does not come out disturbing the living and so the beasts of prey do not dig it out.
If it is not possible to bury a dead body in the ground, it may be kept in a vault or a coffin, instead.
Also the dead body is respected as the living one because bodies used to be inhabitated by a sole that God made honorable so in Islam and i think the rest of religions anything that can be disrespectful should not be done to it,especially the cremation because fire is a symbol of hill that most devine religions and many cultures considered as the ultimate punishment ,although we do not believe that cremation means eternal damnation
Comment by RubySoho
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Yeah, it pisses me off. I will never say anyone shouldn't have the funeral they want. But evidently, my own beliefs are immaterial because "god is great".
Comment by Janet Collins
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Thanks for such useful information about Islam and beliefs about burials. Each time I find out more information, I realise how very little I really know about religions other than the one I was brought up in.
Very interesting and thanks for dropping in.
Comment by Janet Collins
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You make a really good point. I think in all religions it depends on just how religious anyone's family is whether or not the family would be willing to go along with the independent wishes of those dear to them.
That can be said of a lot of Christian faiths too because many people just cannot bear to think the worst if they are to let a family member "go astray" from the religion.
Apart from making it all legal and remove them from this choice which often would upset a family dearly, there's probably not anything anyone can do.
I know my family have their religion but I wouldn't really call them religious so I would not have a problem in that way but for someone who does, it seems unfair that the family wishes take precedence over theirs.
Very interesting.