Memorial options

We encourage people to commemorate their loved one in a personal way, however there are some regulations around memorials in our cemeteries.

Headstones or monuments can be erected at any time after the purchase of the plot. Sometimes this is before burial of a body or ashes, sometimes after.

All installations must be approved

All headstone and monument installations must be carried out by a council approved monumental installer following the regulations set out in the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and the New Zealand Standard for Monuments NZS 4242.

A monumental mason can apply for a monument permit on your behalf and can also assist with arranging installation of Veteran's Plaques.

We reserve the right to remove headstones or monuments erected without a permit or that do not meet permit rules.

Burial and Cremation Act 1964 (legislation.govt.nz)

If you would like to leave tributes on your loved one's grave, we recommend:

• incorporating specially designed flower holders or elements such as solar lights into the headstone design
• avoiding leaving items of great sentimental value

Tributes should be kept to the confines of the concrete berm leaving 150mm from the front and the back to allow for grass cutting and edging.

Both burial and ash plots are available within the veteran's section of the Maunu Cemetery for returned servicemen and women.

The Robinson Memorial Book is a large, granite, book shaped memorial, where you can attach individual plaques for your loved one.

The memorial is located next to the Glades of Remembrance and Chapel at Maunu Cemetery.

Contact the Cemetery Office or Robinson Memorials directly to organise a plaque.

Robinson Memorials
8 Maunu Road
Whangārei
Phone:  09 438 3201

The Book of Remembrance lists the names of loved ones buried at Maunu Cemetery by day of burial and is open every day. The book displays two weeks of memories at a time.

At Maunu, Kamo and Onerahi cemeteries an ash berm plot may be purchased and a memorial stone erected even if ashes have not been interred.

Memorial benches are also available, installed in a place of your choosing from range of suitable spots. Each bench has a small plaque attached which you may personalise.

The Maunu Stillborn Memorial Tree is a special place where we offer the opportunity for families to have a memorial for babies who have not necessarily been buried at the Maunu Cemetery. This is a free service.

Families can apply for the installation of a plaque free of charge.

Apply for a free memorial plaque

Download and fill in the application form.

Stillborn Babies Memorial Application Form(PDF, 227KB)

Send the application form to us:

By email:  cemeteries@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

In-person: