FAQs

Cremation in Australia is conducted by reputable crematoria registered and regulated by each state. It involves the final disposing of a deceased body by placing the body inside a purpose-built cremator for 1-2 hours.

The body is then exposed to extremely high temperatures of around 1000 degrees celsius, resulting in the remaining “ashes” and bone fragments. These remaining bone fragments are processed further into a fine powder, and collected together in an ash container, which is then returned to the family of the deceased.  

It’s a small known fact that cremated ash is extremely alkaline at a similar pH level to bleach and oven cleaner which inhibits carbon nutrient exchange in soil, photosynthesis and water absorption.

Can you scatter ashes anywhere? Technically, the scattering of ashes in Australia is permitted. In most cases, permission from your local council is necessary, or alternatively from the owner of private land. If you own the land yourself, then no permission is necessary.

However, most people choose to scatter ashes in a beautiful place but don’t realise that they are actually harming the very ecology that makes the place beautiful. We do advise against scattering ashes. Human remains have a high pH, and large salt content, which is proven to be harmful to soil health and ecosystems without the Living Legacy treatment.

The Living Legacy treatment treats the ash to create living molecules so a person’s energy can live on through trees. Read more here.

If a tree dies, it is replaced by us at our cost.

We use the mulch or seedlings where possible to pass on the energy from the tree.

A tree will always be replanted in your chosen location and the site is protected in perpetuity.

Our biological infusion turns cremated ash into nutrients that provide sustenance to the tree for seven years; which is a sufficient amount of time for the tree to establish itself with new seeds and seedlings that will also live on.

In the event that a tree dies prematurely, one application of bio-liquid to the same area where the tree was planted re-activates the microbes which convert the ash into nutrients allowing you to re-plant a new tree in the same location.

We also provide a crystal keepsake which you can retain some of the ashes or some seeds for future planting.

The site has over 4 kilometres of fully integrated and operational sprinkler systems as well as enough dam and bore water capacity to provide over 20 litres of water to every tree every day.

The site was carefully selected as a low risk for fire, flood and drought. The location does not adjoin any high risk uncleared bushland and is approximately 300 metres of Western Port bay making it a relatively low fire risk location.

Research conducted by Adelaide’s Centennial Park, found that 160 kilograms of carbon dioxide is produced on the day of a cremation, almost four times more than a burial. Over the long-term the maintenance of a grave site, generates more carbon dioxide then cremation.

Planting a single tree is generally enough to offset the carbon impact of cremation.

For every Legacy Tree planted we plant an additional 400 offset in your name trees locally and abroad to offset the impact of cremation plus contribute more oxygen than the average human breath takes in a lifetime.

Every person is acknowledged for leaving the world a better place with trees.

While cremation methods have changed over time, ashes do not have a “used by” date. The Living Legacy procedure has been proven to work with cremated ashes dating back to the 1960’s.

Most people do not realise just how much human cremated ashes actually weighs, about 3 kg. A little-known fact is that trees require a pH of around 5-6 to be able to grow, cremated remains have a very high pH of 12 out of 14. Additionally, the pH of the total salts content is around 2 cups, which is a large volume.

For the ashes to help a tree grow, it is not enough to just balance the pH and salt, the tree still just grows around the ashes to survive.

Human cremated ashes require treatment before they can help trees grow.  Just scattering them and burying them, even with bio degradable urns, does not help them grow. The urn bio-degrades and the untreated ashes do not help the tree grow.

Our organic treatment creates micro-nutrients that that help trees grow. This has now been adopted by leaders in the Cemetery Industry because of its proven growth results.

Yes, but it is still not good for them. Large established trees can survive the impact of the cremated remains even with the high pH and salt levels when they are in small amounts.

When ashes are buried it sets like concrete. Although it’s not an environment which plants grow from sometimes they grow away from it to survive. The adverse impact of untreated ash on soil health can last hundreds of years as historic cases have dug up buried cremated remains confirm.

Just like with plants in footpaths or roadway medians, some can survive in a tough environment by growing around objects. The difference with our trees is that they grow from the ashes, continuing the circle of life.

At Mornington Green, our founders packages start at $7,000 including GST and have no hidden fees or ongoing costs. This green burial choice includes discounts, a tree of your choice, perpetual care of your tree, a planting ceremony with photography and more.

According to ASIC, the average spend of a funeral of $19,000. It’s very important for us at Mornington Green to offer the community a more affordable alternative that is beneficial for our environment.

There are no restrictions from the Australian Department of Health when it comes to posting human ashes, however you will need to check with the postal services themselves as this is at the discretion of each company.

We advise that you call ahead of posting and be 100% transparent about what you are posting. Use tracked shipping and any necessary labels to ensure it is transported with the utmost care.