Natural burial places the body directly into the earth without embalming chemicals, metal caskets or concrete vaults. The aim is to allow the body to return naturally to the surrounding landscape - an approach that many people find not only environmentally meaningful, but quietly profound.

Natural burial grounds are typically managed as protected natural environments - places of genuine beauty and quiet significance. A biodegradable coffin or shroud replaces the traditional casket, there is no embalming, and native vegetation is restored in place of a headstone. The result is a resting place that continues to live and grow.

Ceremonies often take place within the landscape itself, creating a setting that feels elemental, unhurried and deeply grounded. It is one of the most personal and considered farewells we help produce.

Availability varies by state across Australia, and the requirements and settings differ considerably. Gone. can help families understand what is genuinely available in their area, and design a farewell ceremony that honours both the person and the landscape that surrounds them.

Aquamation - also known as alkaline hydrolysis - is a water-based alternative to flame cremation.

It uses a gentle combination of water, temperature and natural chemistry to return the body to its elemental form. The process is quiet, considered, and increasingly chosen by those who want a lower-impact alternative without compromising on the care and dignity afforded to the person who has died.

Compared with traditional cremation, aquamation typically uses significantly less energy and produces considerably fewer emissions. Families still receive ashes at the conclusion of the process - which can be kept, scattered, or incorporated into a memorial in exactly the same ways as with cremation.

Gone. can help families understand whether aquamation is available and appropriate in their circumstances, and ensure that it is incorporated into the farewell or memorial in a way that feels seamless and meaningful.

‍Sustainable farewell options require careful navigation. Availability varies significantly by location across Australia - and what is possible in one state may not be available in another. We will always be clear about what is genuinely available in your circumstances, and we will never suggest an option that cannot be delivered with the same quality and care as everything else we produce.

Our role is to guide, connect and produce. We do not operate burial grounds or crematoria - we work with trusted, vetted providers and ensure that whatever sustainable approach is chosen sits seamlessly within a farewell that feels beautiful, personal and complete.

Sustainability can also shape the experience itself - not just what happens to the body, but the entire sensory world of the farewell. This might include natural bush settings, biodegradable materials, seasonal and foraged florals, low-impact memorial objects, or planting rituals that give the gathering a living, ongoing presence.

Q: Is natural burial available in Sydney?

‍A: Yes, though options are more limited than in some other states. There are a small number of natural burial grounds within reach of Sydney. Gone. can help you understand what is currently available and whether it suits your circumstances.

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‍Q: Is aquamation legal in New South Wales?

‍A: Aquamation is legal in some Australian states but availability varies. Gone. can advise on the current position in NSW and help you access this option where it is available.

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‍Q: Can we still have a ceremony with a natural burial or aquamation?

‍A: Absolutely. The ceremony is entirely separate from the choice of what happens afterwards. A natural burial or aquamation can be accompanied by any kind of farewell - from an intimate gathering in a bush setting to a larger memorial held afterwards. Gone. designs the ceremony around the person, not around the method.

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‍Q: Is a sustainable farewell less expensive?

‍A: It can be, though not always. Natural burial eliminates some costs (no embalming, simpler casket) but burial ground fees vary. Aquamation is typically comparable in cost to traditional cremation. Gone. will always be transparent about costs before any decisions are made.


‍Q: Can Gone. help with pre planning a sustainable farewell?

‍A: Yes. Pre planning a sustainable farewell is one of the most considered things you can do - it ensures your wishes are documented and that the people you love are not left to navigate unfamiliar options under pressure. Learn more about pre planning here.

The 'What We Do' page features links to detailed guides including full information on fees, what is included and indicative total expenses.