Proper burial and management practices impose little effect on the environment and re-use is a sustainable activity

Depth of burial is only limited by site conditions and ability to safely excavate; but this does not imply mass burials

There are no separate issues for burials without coffins; however, plastic coffins, liners and bodybags should be disallowed

No burials should lie at the cemetery boundary - buffer zones are needed; at least 10m in clayey soils, 20m in sandy soils; varies with topography and hydraulic gradient

The invert of a grave and hence the deepest burial depth, must be at least 1m above any permanent watertable - more in sandy soils; it must also be above any level to which watertables rise

The influences of perched and ephemeral watertables and springs needs further consideration: don't bury near springlines and never in swampland

The best soils for cemeteries in order to favour decomposition and with good decay product attenuation are well drained clayey sands

New sites and extensions should be properly evaluated geoscientifically: floodplains, swamps, clifflines, shallow soils (to some extent), drainage areas to lakes or waterways, some fill - are not suitable areas

Drinking water wells should be at least 200m laterally from any burial

Develop cemeteries from the outside-in and around the perimeter first

Preserve and plant deep-rooting native trees and shrubs - particularly in buffer zones.

Cremation ashes may be scattered in buffer zones, but must be at least 2m from any boundary, and must be prevented from washing past the boundary