March 2, 2026
Virgo Funerals hosted an information evening in Kingaroy last week to allow South Burnett residents to learn more about “natural burials”.
Funeral director Brittany Rose chaired the evening, which included a panel discussion with soil microbiologist Dr Sandra Tsuszynska, Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association CEO Ben Kelly and Cr Heath Sander.
Cr Sander’s excavation business has provided services at South Burnett cemeteries for many years.
Brittany has a passion for environmental restoration and would like to see a natural burial location for more eco-friendly “end-of-life options” established in the South Burnett.
So what is a natural burial?
The aim is to have minimal impact on the environment by eliminating chemicals and plastics from the burial process.
A natural burial would have
1. No embalming
2. Direct earth burial (eg. a shroud or a wicker casket which quickly breaks down)
3. Ecological restoration of the burial site (eg. planting trees)
4. Simple memorialisation (ie. no headstones or plaques on each grave although a simple memorial elsewhere on the site could record the names and GPS locations)
Brittany emphasised that natural burials were not about changing funeral traditions, just some of the components,
They were already occurring in Queensland at sites on the Sunshine, Fraser and Gold coasts.
There was standing room only in Virgo Funerals’ chapel for the information session last Thursday.
The company now plans to hold a second session later this month to further explore the interest in natural burials occurring in the South Burnett.
