Key messages
- In Victoria, bodily remains are interred in perpetuity.
- Applications for interment authorisation have a range of documentation requirements under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 and the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations 2025.
- It is an offence to inter bodily remains, body parts or foetal remains in a public cemetery without an interment authorisation.
Interment applications
Interment of bodily remains
Applications for interment authorisation for bodily remains (including a live-born child who dies within 28 days after birth and a still-born child) are made using Form 1. Form 1 is a mandatory form prescribed in the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations.
Form 1 must be accompanied by supporting documentation in accordance with s.116(3) of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act. For example, a medical certificate of cause of death issued by a doctor under s. 37(2) of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996. A full list of supporting documentation options is included in the form.
The trust should always satisfy itself that the person wishing to use the place of interment is the holder of the right of interment, or that they have the permission of the holder of the right of interment to inter remains in the place of interment.
Interment of body parts
Applications for authority to inter body parts that are not foetal remains must include prescribed information from a prescribed person. Form 3 is used for applications for authority to inter body parts that are not foetal remains.
Interment of foetal remains
Applications for authority to inter foetal remains which are not a still-born child must include prescribed information from a prescribed person. Form 4 is used for applications for authority to inter foetal remains which are not a still-born child.
Granting interment authorisations
When the cemetery trust receives application for consideration it checks:
- that the person making the application has the appropriate authority to do so
- that all required documents have been provided
- whether the right of interment is exercised or unexercised
- if the right of interment has been previously exercised, that the place of interment is deep enough to accommodate a subsequent interment in accordance with the minimum depth of burial requirements.
If the cemetery trust is satisfied with the application, they must grant an interment authorisation. An authorisation may be granted on any terms and conditions the trust considers appropriate.
The trust should notify the applicant in writing when it has granted an interment authorisation. The notification of interment authorisation template can be used by trusts for this purpose.
Transporting remains for interment
The remains transported into a public cemetery for interment must be suitably enclosed in a coffin, container or receptacle that complies with requirements under r. 34 of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations. The coffin, container or receptacle must be clearly labelled in accordance with r. 35 of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations.
The cemetery trust must ensure compliance with requirements for burial depth (r. 36), interment in concrete lined graves (r. 37), interment in mausolea (r. 39) and sealing crypts in mausolea (r. 40) in the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations.
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