Queensland’s First Natural Burial

On Monday 24th August 2015 Swanborough Funerals had the honour of conducting Queensland’s First Natural Burial. The Graveside Funeral Service for Tami Turner took place at Alberton Cemetery. Rather than tradition burial practises, Tami’s family chose Green Burial. The Alberton Cemetery is Queensland’s only Green Burial Site. This site was chosen because Tami was passionate about preserving the environment. She was a proud supporter of Greenpeace and also studied Naturopathy. Tami had a pioneering spirit which will continue to live on with her legacy of pioneering the Queensland’s Natural Burial cause.

Swanborough Funerals would personally like to thank Tami’s family for allowing us to document this most personal and sacred moment.

Contrary to popular belief, green burial is a choice for all faiths, because of beliefs and walks of life. Tami had a strong faith in God, was patriotic to her country of origin America and to her home in Queensland. After all, she believed that God placed us on this earth to care for it. She has paved the way for all of us, no matter what our belief system to rethink our final place of rest and what effect we will have on the environment when we pass.

Planted on Tami’s grave are trees and shrubs native to the environment around the Alberton Cemetery. These are in place of a headstone.  The plants encourage the local fauna and flora to live in harmony with the natural burial site. Her family will be given the GPS co-ordinates of the burial site. These will be recorded in the Cemetery records.

Ask yourself the question. What legacy would you prefer to leave?