A guide to selecting a plaque - Brochure
A guide to selecting a headstone - Brochure

Our local cemeteries offer the choice of Upright Headstone or Plaque sections. You may find it useful to visit the cemetery to be sure about which style you would prefer. Some cemeteries will allow you to choose a plot when visiting.

Another matter for consideration is whether other family members may wish to be buried in the same plot in the future.

Some cemeteries will allow three people to be buried in the same plot, so you may wish to decide on single, double or triple depth as part of the funeral arrangements

Whenua Tapu Cemetery

Address: Pukerua Bay, Porirua 5026 (View on Google Maps).

Makara Cemetery

Address: 237 Makara Road, Wellington 6972 (View on Google Maps).

Karori Cemetery

Address: 76 Old Karori Road, Karori(View on Google Maps).

Taita Cemetery

Address: 35 Rimu Street (View on Google Maps).

Akatarawa Cemetery

Address: Akatarawa Road, Akatarawa, Upper Hutt (View on Google Maps).

Awa Tapu Cemetery

Address: Valley Road, Paraparaumu (View on Google Maps).

Waikanae Cemetery

Address: Ngarara Road, Waikanae (View on Google Maps).

Makara and Ōtaki Cemeteries offer the ability to have a “Natural burial” There are special requirements that need to be followed if you wish to have a Natural burial.

Natural burial at Makara or Ōtaki Cemetery: the best option for the environment

The unique sense of place of Makara and Ōtaki Cemeteries has been achieved through a clear guiding concept: the central idea is that everything about the cemetery is as ‘natural’ as possible. In essence, we will not introduce anything to the cemetery that would interfere with or pollute environmental processes.

For example, to help natural processes, plots are dug only into the active soil layer, the deceased are not embalmed and they are buried in caskets of untreated, sustainable wood. Plots are filled with aerobic, organically active soil, and overplanted with a tree native to the area. The whole cemetery is gradually restored to native bush.

All of the body nutrients and matter will be gradually absorbed by the surrounding soil and plants. It is intended that the cemetery will become a permanent bush park – a living memorial to those buried there, a home for native flora and fauna, and a beautiful place for family and friends to visit.

For more information visit: www.ecofunerals.co.nz

In New Zealand, cremation is now a widely accepted alternative to burial. There are a number of crematoriums in the Wellington region. Each crematorium has different levels of facilities and costs vary; we are careful to keep you fully informed of what the standards of each crematorium are.

You may have seen the wording, ‘followed by private cremation’ in funeral notices. This refers to the time when the hearse moves off from the funeral service accompanied by either no one, or family members only.

The choice of whether you wish to travel to the crematorium is always up to you.

No embalming: Bodies buried on this site must not be embalmed. The purpose of this requirement is to speed up the natural processes of returning the body and its nutrients to the soil, and to reduce the amount of artificial materials we introduce to the soil.

Burial in the upper soil layers: Bodies will be buried within the active soil layer or as close to it as possible. Depth will vary according to the soil conditions. Plots will be partly refilled with compost to help enrich the soil.

Trees: A native tree will be planted at the head or base of the plot. You can choose it from a dozen nursery plants. These trees are the basic building blocks of a native habitat restoration programme.

Over time, other trees will be planted over and around the plot. To improve survival, the Wellington City Council will not plant trees for plots in summer.

Caskets: You must use a casket approved by Natural Burials. These caskets will be made from sustainably grown and harvested woods, with no chemicals or artificial compounds used in the treatment of the wood or the manufacture of the casket or its accessories.

Plot markers: A non-treated wooden post is sunk into the ground at the head or foot of the plot. You or your family can include on the post cap and sides a poker-burnt engraved inscription of your choice. The marker is designed not to be permanent. However, the plot and details of the person buried there are marked and drawn on a map held by the council.

During your first contact with Harbour City Funeral Home, our funeral director will ask you whether the person who has died wished to be buried or cremated. The choice – burial or cremation – determines which kind of medical certificate we are legally required to obtain.