

Tree Pod Burial in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
In recent years, more and more people in Australia are choosing eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to traditional burial practices. One alternative that gained many interest is tree pod burial, where a person’s remains nourish a living tree. Through this article, let’s explore the concept of tree pod burial in Australia, its availability and legal status, and how it compares to other green burial options.
What is Tree Pod Burial?
Tree pod burial, known also as “burial pods” or “capsula mundi,” is a burial process where remains of a deceased person are kept in a biodegradable pod that is buried in the ground. A tree is planted above it. This concept was originally developed by Italian designers Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel. It was designed as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation.


Read more about tree pod vs legacy tree here
The biodegradable capsule is typically made from natural materials such as wood and plant-based plastics. While the urn decomposes and releases nutrients into the soil, the ashes are still harmful to plant health due to their pH being the same as bleach. Read more here.
Is Tree Pod Burial Available in Australia?


The concept of tree pod burial has gained global interest, but places that offer tree pod burial are still limited in Australia.
However, there are some Australian companies and cemeteries offering similar concepts that use cremated remains to nourish memorial trees.
1. The first one is Living Legacy Forest. They provide a beautiful way to honor your loved ones with cremated remains. They have developed a process to transform cremated remains into micronutrients that can be infused into the soil to grow memorial trees. They have partnered with several memorial forests and gardens across Australia.
2. Another is Mornington Green Legacy Gardens. Located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, this eco-memorial park turns cremated remains into living growing memorial trees.
3. Bushland Cemetery in Lismore, NSW is another great option. They allow bodies to be buried without coffins to nourish the surrounding bushland.
4. Wellington Dam Legacy Forest. a special memorial forest where families can have their loved ones’ treated ashes placed with trees to create a living memorial
Tree Pod Burial Law In Australia


The rules around tree pod burials in Australia are a bit mixed, there are currently no state permission from any state allowing tree pod burials, which just means there are more opportunities for you to make a unique and meaningful tribute to your loved one! There are so many amazing natural burial alternatives available! You can choose to turn ashes into trees in beautiful memorial gardens or bury them under a beautiful flower bed that you love. It’s a wonderful way to honor your loved one and connect with nature. This option grows memorial forests and gardens where people’s ashes help trees grow. This way is special because It’s like giving someone a chance to live again to be part of nature!
Comparison to Other Green Burial Options
Tree pod burial is one of the several green burial options available in Australia. Here’s how it compares to other eco-friendly alternatives:
Natural Burial


Natural burial is a wonderful option for those who want to honor their loved ones in a way that is friendly to the earth. It involves burying an unembalmed body in a biodegradable shroud or coffin, allowing it to decompose naturally. This option is currently more widely available in Australia than tree pod burial, and there are several natural burial grounds operating across the country.
Pros of Natural Burial:
1. Already legally permitted in several states.
2. Lower environmental impact than traditional burial.
3. Can use existing cemetery land.
You can also read more on natural burial here!
Cons of Natural Burial:
1. May not provide the same sense of ongoing life as a memorial tree.
2. Limited availability of natural burial grounds.
Alkaline Hydrolysis


Also known as “water cremation” or “aquamation,” this process uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to reduce the body to bone fragments. It is currently legal in some Australian states. Read more here!
Pros of Alkaline Hydrolysis:
1. Lower carbon footprint than flame cremation.
2. Produces sterile remains that can be used as fertilizer.
Cons of Alkaline Hydrolysis:
1. Not as widely available as traditional cremation.
2. May not appeal to those who want a more natural process.
Human Composting


Human composting involves placing the body in a vessel with organic materials to accelerate decomposition. While legal in some U.S. states, it is not currently permitted in Australia.
Pros of Human Composting:
1. Produces nutrient-rich soil.
2. Very low environmental impact.
Cons of Human Composting:
1. Not legally available in Australia.
2. May be culturally challenging for some.
Explore more about human composting here!
Living Legacy Tree


Instead of your loved one becoming a still-cold headstone, imagine them becoming a tree that continues to grow. The roots of the tree are nourished by your loved one’s ashes. This is done by treating the ash with a special living legacy formula. The ash is neutralized from toxins and the nutrients from the ash are boosted.
As the tree grows taller and stronger each year, it becomes a living memorial – a place where you and your families can gather and feel close to your loved one. Birds nest in their branches, and the tree leaves dance in the sunlight. It’s not just about remembering; it’s about creating new life and contributing to a greener world. A Living Legacy Tree turns sadness and loss into a new form of connection.
Pros of Living Legacy Tree:
1. More Eco-friendly Than Pods: Plastic pods, even so-called Eco-plastic, can take years to break down, while the treatment of ash to plant a legacy tree is simple and can be done in hours.
2. Improved Nutrient Availability: Treating ash can neutralize toxins and enhance nutrients, making it more beneficial for tree growth than untreated ash in tree pods.
3. Reduced Soil Toxicity: Untreated ash has a high pH (around 12/14) and salt content that can harm plants. Ash treatment mitigates these problems, creating a more hospitable environment for tree growth.
4. Immediate nutrient integration: Treated ash can be more readily absorbed by trees, potentially leading to faster and healthier growth compared to slowly decomposing pods.
5. Flexibility of Application: Treated ash can be applied to existing trees or used in various planting scenarios, providing more flexibility than fixed tree pods.
6. Scientifically Backed Process: Companies like Living Legacy Forest have developed scientifically proven methods to convert cremains into beneficial nutrients, providing a more reliable result.
Cons of Human Composting:
1. Involving More Steps: Growing a legacy tree involves added steps such as ash treatment using the right formula and infusing the ash into the soil for tree planting.
The Process of Tree Pod Burial In Australia Alternative: Living Legacy Trees


Choose Your Tree
Select a tree that reflects your loved one's spirit.






We Treat The Ashes
Our patented liquid and process transforms your ashes (including your pets) into life-giving tree nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium.






Plant Your Legacy
Ashes are infused into the soil and tree of your choice. You can plant by your own Living Legacy Tree or flower garden and do ceremonies starting from 15 people of your family and friends.






Nurture and Grow
Gather with your family, enjoy picnics, play games and visit often to witness your loved one flourish, providing comfort for your family for generations.
Why You Should Not Plant A Tree Of Memorial Or Tree Pod Burial In Your Own Home:


If you turn your loved one’s ashes into a living legacy tree and plant it in a park, garden, or forest like Mornington Green Legacy Gardens or Wellington Dam Legacy Forest, you will be guaranteed that you can always visit and enjoy time together with your families throughout the years under the legacy tree of your loved one. These places offer ongoing care and protection to your planted living legacy tree! So make sure that the word “legacy” really happens! In contrast, if you plant a tree or a pod at home, remember that the average length of home ownership in Australia is 10 years. This is a very limited time for you to feel connected with your loved one, so make the most of it!
Environmental Benefits of Tree Pod Burial


Tree pod burial and similar concepts using cremated remains to nourish trees offer several potential environmental benefits:
1. Carbon Sequestration: Memorial trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.
2. Biodiversity Contribution: Memorial forests provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to biodiversity.
3. Reduced Land Use: Tree burials require less land than traditional cemeteries, helping to preserve open spaces.
4. Avoided Emissions: Tree pod burials avoid traditional burial materials like concrete vaults and metal caskets, reducing manufacturing emissions.
5. Water Conservation: Memorial forests typically require less irrigation and maintenance than traditional lawn cemeteries.
Factors To Consider For Tree Pod Burial


For those interested in tree pod burial or similar memorial tree options in Australia, there are several factors to consider:
1. Environmental Concerns: The pods and the untreated ashes that are usually kept inside the pods can harm the soil health and the nature around it. This is due to the effects from the materials of the pods that slowly decompose and the untreated ashes that have very high pH of 12 which is 1 million times too high for most plants and they contain a cup of salt which is terrible for photosynthesis.
Choose growing ashes into Living Legacy Trees instead.
2. Availability: Check for memorial forests or natural burial grounds in your area that offer tree burial options.
3. Cost: Compare the costs of tree burial to traditional burial or cremation options. While potentially cheaper than some traditional burials, it may be more expensive than basic cremation.
4. Location: Consider whether you want the memorial tree to be in a dedicated forest or on private property.
5. Tree Species: Some providers allow you to choose the type of tree, while others use specific native species.
6. Visitation Rights: Understand the policies for visiting and maintaining the memorial tree. If you plant your memorial tree in the backyard and sell the home what happens to tree. The average length of home ownership in Australia is 10 years.
7. Long-term Protection: Inquire about how the memorial forest will be protected and maintained in the long term.
It should be noted that Australia has not yet fully embraced the practice of tree pod burial, at least not in the same way it is done overseas. The environmental concern from the slow process of the pod decomposition and the untreated human ashes is the main concern,
However, we have developed our own unique and more sustainable approach to this process. In Australia, we can treat our loved ones’ cremated ash into nutrients for growing legacy trees. Thanks to The Living Legacy Formula.
It is becoming increasingly clear that our cities are running out of space for traditional graveyards. This has led to a growing interest in exploring alternative solutions. This is where growing living and memorial trees come in.
If you are interested in this option, please contact:
and they will explain you further
In the end, how you or your loved one’s wish to be remembered is a highly personal decision.
However, if we can offer our own perspective, We believe there is something special about the idea of becoming a tree. It is a final gift to the world, providing shade, a home for birds, and a place for your grandchildren to visit and remember you. It is, in our opinion, a fitting and meaningful way to go. And the best way to do it is through a special ash treatment and legacy tree planting, not through a pod that is less eco friendly.
Lets explore more about Mornington Green Legacy Gardens!
Website: morningtongreen.com.au
Youtube: @morningtongreen
Instagram: mornington_green
LinkedIn: Mornington Green Legacy Garden
Facebook: MorningtonGreen


Ready to Learn More About What Is A Memorial Tree?
Create A Living Legacy in a protected garden that celebrates life while contributing to Australia’s future. Contact Mornington Green Legacy Gardens at (03) 9059 4959 or schedule a garden tour and explore your memorial tree options.
Transform loss into A Living Legacy that grows stronger with each passing season, providing comfort and connection for generations to come. We hope this blog answers your question what is a memorial tree?
Make Your Mark: Live On Through Nature





