Burials About burial

All of us will experience loss. For many having a place to visit and mourn or remember those we have lost is an important part of reckoning with our grief.

Is burial the right choice?

Pre-purchasing is an important part of planning ahead and provides peace of mind.

Those who are planning ahead for themselves or someone else often choose to pre-purchase their grave or cremation memorial directly from RPCV. They may also wish to pre-pay for the services associated with the burial or cremation itself.

Pre-purchasing means cemetery costs are already paid for when they’re needed. Unlike funeral insurance, which can cost more over time than the funeral itself, pre-purchasing your plot and pre-paying for your services means you only pay for what you need.

You can also pre-purchase using a payment plan that enables you to pay for your pre-purchase over time. One of our friendly Customer Care Consultants can provide further information on the different plans and payment options.

What is a ‘right of interment’?

When you purchase a grave or cremation memorial, what you are purchasing is a right of interment, which is the right to use that particular cemetery plot for a burial, or for the interment of cremated remains.

The right of interment is defined under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (Vic)(the Act). It does not confer ownership (proprietary rights) over the physical land. Instead, it grants permission to use the plot, subject to any cemetery trust policies or specifications.

The right of interment holder is the person who can authorise a burial or interment of cremated remains and the establishment of a memorial such as a headstone or plaque.

Who owns the right of interment?

When you purchase a grave or cremated remains memorial, you will receive a Right of Interment Permit that records the plot’s details and the owner/s of the right of interment for that plot. This is usually the purchaser or someone nominated by the purchaser.

A right of interment may be held in joint names and may be transferred from one party to another on completion of the relevant paperwork and payment of the applicable fee.

For older graves, where the original right of interment holder has passed away, it can be challenging to determine who holds the right to authorise a burial or interment of cremated remains, or the establishment of a memorial.

Every case is unique, and we can help guide you through the process of determining who holds the right. Contact one of our friendly Customer Care Team, who can provide you with further information on the various options available.