FAQs
The body is buried at a dedicated natural burial site.
Burial is at a shallower depth than traditional graves and only one burial per grave.
The coffin or casket will be made of environmentally conscious materials ie wicker, bamboo or unfinished renewable timber.
Grave liners and burial vaults aren’t used.
The body is dressed in biodegradable clothing.
The body is not embalmed, and instead is kept cold until the day of burial.
The grave is marked with a natural gravemarker, gps, a tree, or none at all.
Traditional Monumental Burial areas – Anglican, Catholic, Other Protestant Denominations (OPD) and Muslim.
Lawn Section – multidenominational.
Traditional style niche wall.
Garden Interment Options – Native Garden, Jacaranda tree beds, Contemplation Garden, Memorial Drive family plots.
Interment into burial plots
Memorial only options
Traditional style niche wall
Garden Interment Options – Peppi Trees, Native Garden, Raised Garden
Interment into burial plots
Memorial only options
Full monumental on entire length of grave or headstone at head of grave.
Must have suitable foundations and footings installed as per Australian Standards.
Meet specifications set out by City of Busselton Cemetery Local Law
Monumental work must be fully removed from site in the instance of a second burial in the grave.
Headstone or memorial placed on the existing concrete beam running along the head of the graves.
Footings or foundations not required as concrete beam fulfill that role.
Meet specifications set out by City of Busselton Cemetery Local Law.
Does not have to be removed to facilitate a second burial in the grave.
What is a Grant of Right of Burial?
In simple terms, a Grant of Right of Burial, or, Grant, is the tenure agreement over a stated burial plot which confers upon the holder of the Grant, known as the Grantee, the sole (exclusive) right to conduct burials, inter ashes and erect a monument within the burial plot.
Whether it be the first or a subsequent burial, the Grant held over a nominated burial plot must be current at the time a burial is conducted. Once a Grant expires, official ownership of the plot reverts to the City of Busselton.
Key aspects of the Grant
Exclusive Rights
The grantee has sole authority to make decisions regarding the grave or niche, including approving further burials, cremations, and monumental works.
Legal Document
It is a legal document that acts as proof of ownership of the rights to the grave, so it should be kept with other important personal documents like a will.
Term and Renewal
In Western Australia the grant is issued initially for a 25-year period, from the date of application. After this term, it can be renewed for a further 25-year term if an application is submitted and the required fee is paid.
Control and Reversion
If a grant is not renewed upon expiry, the control of the site reverts to the cemetery authority, such as the local council. Nothing can be done to a grave with an expired grant (monumental, ashes interment etc) with out the permission of the council, or unless a new grant is purchased. The person applying to purchase the grant must prove they have the greatest claim to apply (ie closest living relative).
Nomination
A grantee is a single, named individual, often the executor or administrator of the estate, so it is important to consider who is nominated carefully and to make provisions in a will for the control of the grave in the future.
What is considered a traditional burial for City of Busselton Cemeteries?
Burial of a coffin into a grave up to a depth of approximately 1900mm with plots typically having the capacity for two burials, one on top of the other.
A full monument, or headstone (in the lawn section) is placed on the grave as a memorial.
What is a natural burial?
In a departure from the granite headstones and manicured grounds of a conventional cemetery, Natural Burials offer the community a unique and sustainable final resting place with minimal disturbance to the natural bushland environment.
Typical characteristics of a natural burial are:
At present the City of Busselton does not have a dedicated area for natural burials.
What are the current burial/interment options at Busselton Cemetery?
Burial Options:
Ashes Interment Options:
What are the current burial/interment options at Dunsborough Cemetery?
Burial Options:
Traditional Monumental Burial areas – Anglican, Catholic, Other Protestant Denominations (OPD) and Muslim
Ashes Interment Options:
What are the current burial/interment options at Metricup Cemetery?
Burial Option:
Traditional Monumental Burial area – Anglican – No further burials available due to rock below ground.
Ashes Interment Option:
Newly created natural bush style ashes garden.
Are there any monumental requirements?
Traditional monumental areas:
Lawn Section (Busselton only):