Burials and interment options
Interment options
Choosing an interment option that best suits you or your family is something you will likely wish to discuss with family, friends, your funeral director or Council.
In broad terms there are two main interment options available at our cemeteries, while natural burials are also available at Taupō Cemetery.
- Standard casket burial (for burial of the body)
- Ash burial (for burial of the cremated body)
- Natural burial (for burial of the body in a shallow grave using natural coverings)
Before a burial or interment of ashes can commence, a burial warrant permit must be received from Council.
If you already have a plot reserved, we will ask you to provide us with the cemetery, area, row and plot number from your permit application.
If you are looking for an available plot, you can search our online cemeteries database or call us on 07 376 0899 to discuss preferences and availability.
Our cemeteries operate a 7-day a week interment service with a minimum of one day's notice.
Standard burials
To apply for a burial warrant for a casket burial in the Taupō, Tūrangi or Mangakino cemetery, complete our online application form or call us on 07 376 0899.
Once an application is submitted we will check through the details and if we require any additional information we will contact you.
You will receive confirmation of the issued burial warrant by email along with the invoice for any applicable plot or interment fees.
Apply for a burial warrant for a casket burial
To apply for a burial warrant for a casket burial, complete our online application form or call us on 07 376 0899.
Interment of ashes
To apply for a burial warrant for an ash interment in the Taupō, Tūrangi or Mangakino cemetery, complete our online application form or call us on 07 376 0899.
On receipt of a burial warrant, the ashes of a person may be buried in the following places:
- specific ash plots set aside for that purpose
- in a specific burial plot where exclusive rights have been purchased and the owner has been given consent.
- up to six interments of ashes may be made in the larger Opepe Cremation plots on receipt of the appropriate permit, and up to two interments in other cremation plot areas.
Apply for a burial warrant for an ash interment
To apply for a burial warrant for an ash interment, complete our online application form or call us on 07 376 0899.
Natural burials at Taupō Cemetery
The natural burial area at Taupō Cemetery is planted in an open grid pattern, allowing mourners to access plots and also maintenance persons. This will provide shelter and a healthy nursery crop to better ensure the survival of your tree, chosen from the following options:
- Sophora tetraptera – Kowhai
- Podocarpus totara – Totara
- Fuscospora cliffortioides – Mountain Beech
- Weinmannia racemose – Kamahi
- Cordyline australis – Tikouka
Natural burial requirements
- Burial plot - To enable the progressive continuity of forest restoration burial placement is sequential and is not subject to personal selection.
- Depth of burial – Burials are made within the active upper soil levels at single depth, with a minimum depth cover of 800mm.
- Caskets – Caskets, coffins or shroud bearers should be made of chemically untreated and unprocessed materials.
- Shrouds – Shrouds are a length of cloth or an enveloping garment in which the deceased is wrapped and placed upon a shroud bearer. Shrouds should be made of natural fibre such as cotton or wool.
- Embalming - To speed up the natural processes bodies interred within the natural burial area must not be embalmed or chemically treated. This will also reduce the amount of artificial and toxic chemicals and materials introduced to the soil.
- Artefacts - Any items placed with the deceased must be made from natural materials and appropriate for our natural burial area. Items made from non-biodegradable materials are not permitted.
- Plot markers - Only the use of H3 treated wooden markers is allowed. These markers should be placed at the time or within the first week of burial, centrally located at the head of the plot. Permanent individual memorials, monuments and associated items must not be placed within our natural burial area.
Enquiries about natural burials
For more information about natural burials or to arrange a guided tour of the natural burial area at Taupō Cemetery, please call us on 07 376 0899 or email cemeteries@taupo.govt.nz.
Purchase a plot
You can make an application to purchase a plot for a future casket burial or ash interment. Up to two burial plots or cremation plots may be purchased. Before completing an application you should know the cemetery, area, row and plot number details of the plot you wish to purchase.
Apply to purchase a plot
To make an application to purchase a plot for a future casket burial or ash interment, complete our online application form or call us on 07 376 0899.
