Nelson City Council

One of the choices families and friends need to consider is the sort of memorial they would like for the person who has died. This should be taken into account when deciding which cemetery to use.

Pre-purchase cemetery plots

Cemetery plots can be pre-purchased, rather than leaving the task for relatives or friends. Any Funeral Director can organise it for you, or you can contact Council's Sexton on +64 3 547 7579.

Headstones

There is no requirement to place a headstone on a grave and some people leave this for many years. The Council can supply records of burial plots for people who want to place a headstone for someone buried several years ago.

Historic cemeteries

The Council maintains the Hallowell Cemetery in Shelbourne Street, the cemetery in Fairfield Park, a small group of graves on The Cliffs and the Quakers' Acre above Rutherford Street.

'Do it yourself '

Although most funerals are arranged through funeral directors, some people like to make their own arrangements.The documentation can be quite complex so if you are not used to administration you may prefer to reach agreement with a funeral director or your solicitor for this side of it.

Other memorials

Some people prefer to donate a tree or park bench to be placed in one of the city parks as a memorial. This can be arranged with the Recreation and Community Services Department, by contacting Customer Services.

Name plaques are not permitted. Generally council staff will be able to tell you what is available for this type of memorial, to fit in with council landscaping plans, but again they are prepared to discuss special requests.

Who to contact

For information about burial or cremation services, contact your local funeral director. They also keep copies of the Council's Cemetery Bylaw and can explain them to you. For all information about cemeteries, location of graves and Council bylaws and regulations relating to the operation of the cemeteries and crematorium, contact customer services on +64 3 546 0204.