Cemeteries

Kelly St is an old military cemetery. This cemetery is closed.

Waitangi (Opotiki Lawn Cemetery) is our largest cemetery. This cemetery includes the RSA sections and also the niche wall. The earliest grave recorded is 1875. Burial plots at this cemetery are now full. The niche wall and the RSA sections are still in operation.

Our newest cemetery is Te Ranginui (Woodlands). This cemetery was opened in 2008.

Pre-purchase of burial plots

Plots may be pre-purchased. You can make an application by using our online form or download a Reserve Plot Application Form (PDF, 104KB).

Burials

An application for a burial warrant must be submitted and approved by Council before burial/or interment of ashes can commence. We require at least 24hrs prior notice.

You can apply online or download a Burial Warrant Application Form (PDF, 95KB).

Please note that our online forms and info@odc.govt.nz email address are only monitored from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. If your enquiry is urgent please Ph our after hours number on 07 3153030 and follow the prompts.

Burials can be held: 11am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 1pm Saturday. There are no burials on public holidays.

Headstones and Memorials

An application is required from Council prior to the erection of any monument, memorial, foundation, headstone, gravestone or any other structure. You can apply online or download a Monument Application Form (PDF, 88KB).

Dimensions for monuments:

Cremation Strip: Single plaque L350mm x H250mm

Headstone: Max. L1m x H1m x W400mm

Niche Wall: L240 x H150

Fees

To find out about Fees and Charges (PDF, 551KB) or to book a service you can contact our main office or make an online enquiry.

Records and information

Please contact us for any records and information requirements: Request for information

Interment records are kept at our main office at 108 St John Street, Opotiki and are accessible during normal working hours. The information is available to families, relatives, and friends and may also be used for genealogical research.

Maintenance

Council is responsible for the day to day maintenance of the cemetery grounds. This includes mowing lawns, pruning trees and bushes, cutting hedges and back filling sunken graves. We do not maintain any structures and/or headstones on a grave. All maintenance associated with the headstone is the responsibility of the owner or the next of kin.

Planting and Ornaments

Flowers can be left on grave mounds on the lawn plots for approximately one month after which the mound is levelled and sown in grass. After this, please feel free to leave planters and flowers on the concrete berm at the cemetery. We respectfully ask that you refrain from placing plantings/ornaments or glass containers on the grassed areas of Council lawn cemeteries.

Returned and Services Association (RSA) section

Burials in this section require an application to Ōpōtiki District Council, as well as contacting the RSA. These plots are owned by the RSA.

Cemetery locations

Above: Kelly Street (Old Military) cemetery. Ctrl + click on image to open in Google Maps.

Above: Waitangi (Opotiki Lawn Cemetery). Ctrl + click on image to open in Google Maps.