Burials Are Rising From The Dead – Why eziFunerals Predicts Burials Are the Next Big Thing (Yes, You Read That Right)

By eziFunerals | Australia’s Leading Funeral Planning Authority

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The Surprising Shift No One Expected

For more than a decade, cremation has been Australia’s go-to farewell. It’s been simple, affordable, and practical — the “no-fuss” option for modern families.

But the numbers are starting to tell a new story. According to the NSW Cemeteries & Crematoria Board, cremation rates rose steadily through the 2010s but have now plateaued around 70 percent. In some states, burials are even ticking upward.

After years of tracking trends through our Australian Funeral Index, eziFunerals believes the pendulum is slowly swinging back.

Burials — especially natural burials — are now making a quiet comeback.

A Global Pattern

Australia isn’t alone. Around the world, families are re-embracing the earth.

• United Kingdom: Natural Death Centre – List of Natural Burial Grounds UK reports burials rising from <1 % in 1990 to >8 % by 2020.
• United States: Green Burial Council-certified sites have tripled since 2015.
• New Zealand: Regional eco-cemetery pilots in Waikato and Canterbury are now permanent fixtures (NZ Ministry for the Environment).

Our culture often mirrors UK funeral trends about a decade later. Australia is right on schedule.

Gen Z and Millennials Are Redefining Farewells

For Baby Boomers, cremation made sense: quick, practical, no fuss.

For Gen Z, it feels a little too empty.

They’ve spent their lives surrounded by impermanence — disappearing photos, digital memories, and online noise.

So when it comes to saying goodbye, they want something real. Something they can touch, see, and come back to.

“Cremation is efficient,” says Peter Erceg, Founder of eziFunerals.

“But Gen Z wants emotion, connection, and a sense of belonging. They’re bringing meaning back to memorials.”

What the Research Says

• 77 % of Gen Z (Deloitte Global 2025 Survey) say sustainability influences their choices.
• Gen Z is often described as the “spiritual but not religious” generation — more guided by energy and authenticity than by doctrine (McCrindle Faith and Belief 2024).
• Many link mental health to rituals and remembrance that feel genuine. When ashes are scattered or stored, future generations often lose that sense of place. In a digital world where nothing lasts, having a physical space matters.

They’re not rejecting ceremony — they’re reinventing it.

The $5 Trillion Wealth Transfer

Australia is entering the largest inter-generational wealth transfer in its history. According to the Grattan Institute, more than $5.4 trillion will move from Baby Boomers to younger Australians over the next 20 years.

Unlike their parents and grandparents, who often chose the most affordable or “no-fuss” cremation, Gen Z is wealthier, more conscious, and more expressive. They’re not afraid to spend money — but only when it means something.

As inheritance meets new values, families will be able to choose farewells that reflect ethics as much as economics. Expect more investment in pre-planned natural plots, sustainable coffins, and green memorial gardens.

“Gen Z will spend money on meaning — not marble.”

— Peter Erceg, Founder & Managing Director, eziFunerals

Natural Burial: Back to Earth the Right Way

Gen Z’s environmental awareness is built into their DNA.

So it’s no surprise they’re drawn to natural burials — where biodegradable coffins return to the soil, and graves are marked by trees instead of marble.

A natural burial skips chemicals, heavy infrastructure, and manicured lawns.

It’s straightforward and sustainable:

• No embalming.
• A biodegradable coffin or shroud (such as DaisyBox).
• A shallow, eco-friendly grave that supports natural decomposition.
• Native vegetation instead of stone monuments.

The 2024 opening of Walawaani Way — Australia’s first all-natural cemetery (ABC News coverage) — proved that families are ready for this change.

Traditional doesn’t mean outdated. It now means responsible.

A Return to Country

Natural burial also resonates with First Nations principles of Caring for Country and ancestral continuity. Emerging partnerships between cemetery trusts and Traditional Owners — especially in SA and northern NSW — embed cultural respect and land restoration in funeral planning.

Returning to the earth isn’t new. It’s something humanity, and especially Indigenous Australia, has always understood (AIATSIS Cultural Heritage Framework).

The Environmental Difference

For Gen Z, it’s not just symbolism. It’s a final act of climate responsibility — a farewell that gives back.

Cremation once felt “green.” Today, the math says otherwise.

Natural burial can reduce emissions by up to 85 % while turning cemeteries into living carbon sinks.

“Every choice leaves a footprint,” says Erceg.

(Sources: University of Sydney LCA 2023, UK DEFRA 2022 Funeral Environmental Impacts Report).

But What About Land and Cost?

It’s true that inner-city cemeteries are crowded, but data show there’s still 30–35 years of capacity nationwide (CCNSW Forecast 2024).

Natural-burial grounds require less infrastructure and minimal maintenance, effectively doubling the lifespan of existing sites.

And Governments are beginning to act: For example:

• NSW Cemeteries & Crematoria Strategy 2030 names sustainable memorialisation as a key objective.
• SA Consumer Affairs is developing green-burial standards.
• Local councils in WA and Victoria are converting unused sections into native bushland zones.

These changes recognise cemeteries as environmental and community assets, not just storage space.

As for cost? The gap is closing fast.

Rising crematorium energy bills and new council-run green sections have pushed average pricing within 10–15 % of cremation.

When prices are similar, values decide.

Future Forecast 2025 → 2035

As overall deaths rise — projected from ≈ 180 000 in 2025 to ≈ 220 000 by 2035 (ABS Population Projections 2023) — even a small rise in burial share could mean 10 000 more burials each year. That’s not a blip — it’s a movement.

If these trends hold, Australia could cut ≈ 200 000 tonnes of CO₂ per year from the funeral sector while giving families a place to visit and remember.

The Challenges Ahead

• Awareness: Many Australians still don’t know natural burial exists.
• Regulation: National eco-burial standards are needed.
• Urban supply: Councils must plan new green sites on city fringes.
• Cultural habits: Changing the “no-service, no-fuss” mindset will take time.

But history shows funerals evolve with society. This evolution feels inevitable.

What It Means for Families

1. Compare options early. Use the eziFunerals quote tool to see local pricing.
2. Ask about natural-burial areas. Many cemeteries already have them.
3. Choose biodegradable coffins or shrouds.
4. Pre-purchase plots to lock in cost and location.
5. Plan the ceremony you want. A meaningful goodbye matters more than grandeur.

What It Means for the Industry

• Funeral directors: Develop eco packages and staff training.
• Cemeteries: Convert lawns to native habitats and publish carbon data.
• Policy-makers: Reward sustainable memorialisation through planning codes.

This isn’t just a cultural shift; it’s a new business model built on transparency and trust.

The Bottom Line: From Ashes to Earth

Cremation offered convenience; burial offers connection.

For a generation shaped by climate anxiety and digital overload, returning to earth feels grounded, hopeful, and real.

When a funeral honours both people and planet, it changes what it means to say goodbye.

Families are rediscovering the comfort of place, the beauty of nature, and the peace of a sustainable farewell.

Yes — burials are rising from the dead.

And they’re the next big thing because they make sense: emotionally, ethically, and environmentally.

Compare funeral directors and eco-burial options today.

👉 Start Planning with eziFunerals

Keywords: burial vs cremation Australia, natural burials, green funerals, Gen Z funeral trends, eco cemeteries, Australian Funeral Index, eziFunerals

Peter Erceg

Peter Erceg is the Founder and Owner of eziFunerals — Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority. With more than 40 years of experience in government and public health, Peter has become one of the country’s leading voices on funeral transparency, consumer rights, and ethical funeral practices. Through eziFunerals, Peter has built a national platform that empowers Australian families to make informed end-of-life decisions — free from pressure, commissions, and confusion. His goal is simple: "to help every Australian plan smarter, save money, and choose funeral services with confidence." 🕊 eziFunerals was founded by Peter in 2011, as an independent funeral comparison and planning platform that allows consumers to: • Compare local funeral directors and transparent quotes, • Understand real funeral costs across Australia, and • Connect with trusted, independent funeral homes that uphold the Fair Funeral Promise. As Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority, eziFunerals is recognised by media, consumers, and funeral professionals for its leadership in price transparency and consumer protection. “We believe every family deserves a fair, dignified, and affordable farewell — without hidden fees or sales pressure.” 📘 Peter is the author of What Kind of Funeral: A Self-Help Guide to Planning a Meaningful Funeral, a practical guide that has helped thousands of Australians understand their options and avoid unnecessary costs. He regularly contributes articles and commentary on: • Funeral cost transparency and industry reform, • Prepaid funerals and consumer protection, • Emerging trends in eco-friendly and digital memorials, and • The role of AI and technology in end-of-life planning. 🎙 Peter and eziFunerals have been featured in major Australian media outlets including ABC News. His insights continue to shape the national conversation on funeral costs, consumer rights, and ethical practices in the funeral industry. ⚖️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Peter Erceg are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of eziFunerals or its members. The information provided on this site is general in nature and should not be taken as personal, legal, or financial advice. Consumers are encouraged to conduct their own research and compare funeral services that best meet their needs and circumstances.