Burial and Cremation Act 1964

General provisions

48: Burial in special place

You could also call this:

"Burying a body in a special place with permission"

Illustration for Burial and Cremation Act 1964

You can bury a body in a special place that was not used for burials before. The Minister must write that they think it is a good idea due to exceptional circumstances. If the place is in a city or a district that was once a city, you need permission from the mayor or two members of the governing body.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM355855.

This page was last updated on 12 December 2025 — View changes

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47: Burial in private burial place, or

"Burying a body on private land with special permission"

49: Burial and cremation of poor persons, or

"Free burial or cremation for people who cannot afford it"

Part 7General provisions

48Burial in special place

Notwithstanding anything in this Act, a body may be buried in any place, even though that place was not used for burials before the date of the commencement of this Act, if the Minister first certifies in writing that he is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which make the burial of that body in that place particularly appropriate and if, where the proposed place of burial is within a city or part of the district of a territorial authority which was formerly a city or borough or part of a city or borough, the sanction of the mayor, or 2 members of the governing body of the territorial authority is obtained.

Notes

Section 48: amended, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).