Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Australia

Burials and cremation

Can a person be buried in their backyard or at sea? Can they have their ashes scattered anywhere?


Asked on 11/04/03, 10:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Tim Wishart McMahons National lawyers

Re: Burials and cremation

Generally a person cannot be buried in their backyard. There may be some circustances where the size of the land would allow this but generally it is not allowed - there are health issues and, in a practical sense, you also need to think about the resale of the property.

I am pretty sure that a body cannot be disposed of at sea.

As a general proposition ashes can be scattered anywhere subject to permission of landowners or regulating authorities.

Read more
Answered on 11/04/03, 10:55 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in Australia