Plots: Types, Selection & Purchase

Cemetery plots can be purchased in advance, giving you the opportunity to take time, reflect, and make choices that feel right for you or your loved one. Planning ahead can help ease the burden on family and friends during an already difficult time.

Plots can also be arranged when the need arises. The information below outlines the different types of plots available and explains how to organise an exclusive right of burial purchase, so you can choose an option that feels right for you and your family.

Exclusive Right of Burial

When you purchase a cemetery plot, you are purchasing the exclusive right of burial for that plot. This gives the plot owner the legal right to use that plot for a burial or ash interment in the future.

It does not mean ownership of the land itself. The land remains under Council management.

An Exclusive Right of Burial may be purchased for:

• A burial plot
• An ash plot
• A natural or Muslim burial area (plot location is allocated at the time of burial)
• A plaque only plot

If a person is to be interred in a plot where no exclusive right has been purchased, the representative for that person will need to purchase the right before the interment can proceed.

Types of Plots

Plot availability varies by cemetery but includes:

Burial Plots

Burial plots are available at all of our cemeteries. Most plots are prepared to accommodate two caskets and can also hold up to ten ash urns, giving families the option to bring loved ones together in one place.

Some burial plots may allow for three caskets, but this cannot be guaranteed in advance. The final number depends on the ground conditions, which can only be confirmed at the time of burial when the grave is opened.

We also have dedicated areas within our cemeteries, including:

• Children’s and stillborn Area available at Marsden Cemetery
• Natural Burial Area available at Marsden Cemetery and Wakapuaka Cemetery.
  Our Natural Burial Areas offer a more environmentally gentle alternative to standard burials. If you're considering this option, you can learn more on our Natural Burial page.
• Muslim Burial Area available at Marsden Cemetery.
  We have a dedicated Muslim Burial Area available for members of the Muslim community. Plots in this section follow Islamic burial practices, including timely burial and placement aligned with religious requirements. Because these burials occur in sequence, plots cannot be selected or pre‑allocated in advance; instead, the next appropriate plot is allocated at the time of need.
• RSA Area available at Marsden Cemetery. The RSA section at Wakapuaka Cemetery is fully allocated.
  Our RSA area is for veterans who have served on qualifying military deployments, along with their spouse or partner. Plots in this section are allocated at the time of need, following national standards for Service Cemeteries.
  To learn more about eligibility and service‑related burial information, visit Veterans’ Affairs website.

Ash plots

We offer a range of ash plots across our cemeteries, giving families the flexibility to choose a space and setting that feels right for them. Ash plots come in several styles.

• Standard Ash plot available at Hira Cemetery, Marsden Cemetery, Seaview Cemetery, and Wakapuaka Cemetery.
  They can hold up to two ash urns. Hira, Seaview, and Wakapuaka each have a single designated ash area, whereas Marsden Cemetery provides several different ash plot areas to choose from. The following types of standard ash plots are available:
  • Beam plots: A lawn‑style ash plot where plaques are placed on a concrete beam at the head of the plot. Ashes are interred in the ground, and the plaque placement on the beam Available at Hira Cemetery, Marsden Cemetery, Seaview Cemetery, and Wakapuaka Cemetery
  • Kerb plots: A small concrete or stone boundary (kerb) that frames the plot. This creates a defined space for a plaque and allows families a little more personalisation of the memorial area than lawn or beam plots. Available at Marsden Cemetery
  • Wall plots: An above‑ground niche built into a memorial wall. Ashes are placed inside the niche and sealed, with a plaque fixed to the wall. This option provides a vertical memorial space and a low‑maintenance alternative to ground plots. Available at Marsden Cemetery
• Lawn ash plots available at Marsden Cemetery can hold up to four ash urns. All plaques must be set flat into the ground and aligned with existing plaques to maintain the lawn layout
• Family ash plots available at Marsden Cemetery, are beam plots with space for up to four or eight ash urns.
• Plaque only plots are available at Marsden Cemetery and get allocated in sequence. These plots provide a permanent place for remembrance when a burial or ash interment is not required.

Selecting a Plot

If you are choosing a burial or ash plot, our team can help you explore the options and find a place that feels right for your whānau. Once you know the type of plot you would like, we encourage you to visit the cemetery to view the available sites.

You can phone us on 03 546 0200 or email interments@ncc.govt.nz to arrange a time for a cemetery staff member to meet you on‑site and show you the plots that are currently available.

If you already know the cemetery well and have a particular area in mind, you are welcome to contact us to check availability.

Purchasing a plot

To arrange the purchase of exclusive right of burial for a plot:

1. Select a plot, or confirm in what area you would like us to pick a plot on your behalf.
2. Complete the plot purchase application form
3. Submit the completed application form. Email the application to interments@ncc.govt.nz or hand in at our Customer Service Centre, Nelson City Council, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson.
4. You will receive an invoice within 2 working days via email, unless requested otherwise.
5. Once payment or proof of payment has been received, we will issue your certificate of exclusive right of burial. You may choose to receive this by email, collect from customer services, or have it posted to you.

If you are also booking an interment, you can complete the plot purchase and interment on the same application above. please note that payment for the plot must be received before the interment booking can be confirmed.

Fees

refer to our fees and charges page for the relevant fees.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need guidance, please contact our cemeteries team on (03) 546 0200 or interments@ncc.govt.nz.