An Absolutely Succesful Burial: Go the Joes

A Triple Plot, Eight Ash Burials, and One Very Loyal Dog: What Families Don’t Know About Saving on Burial Costs

There once was a family called the Joe's — a famously organised bunch who could have taught seminars on “Preparing for Life’s Inevitable Moments.” Long before anyone needed it, they marched down to their local cemetery and proudly purchased a triple plot. One for Mum. One for Dad. And one “just in case,” as Dad said, tapping his notebook like a man who knew things.

Years passed, and eventually Mum and Dad were laid to rest in their beautifully planned forever spots. Not long after, their eldest son — a delightful soul with a terrible habit of skydiving on windy days — joined them in the final space of the triple plot.

Now, with all three full-sized burial spaces occupied, the remaining seven siblings gathered around the family dining table (where all important decisions were ever made). After a heated debate about who forgot to bring dessert, they moved on to the practical stuff and came to a brilliant agreement:

“Right,” said the second eldest, “there’s still one metre of soil left above the top of the last casket… which means we can all fit in there too — just not full-sized.”

Cremation it was.

And so it began: the ultimate demonstration of family togetherness. The leftover depth in the plot allowed for up to eight ash interments, tucked gently above the existing caskets. One by one, each sibling was cremated and placed together in the plot.

And yes — even the beloved family dog, Barkley, was included. After all, he had supervised every family meeting for 17 years and absolutely earned his place.

By the end of it, the Joe's had achieved something extraordinary:
Three full burials, seven ash burials, and one very content golden retriever — all together in their original triple plot.

A triumph of planning.
A masterpiece of family unity.
And, if we’re being honest, an absolute nightmare for the cemetery administrator who had to update the records.

Cost saving:

What the Joe's accidentally stumbled into — using a single plot for a combination of full burials and ash burials can save families a significant amount of money.

Most people don’t realise:

• One triple plot can serve an entire family when ash interments are used wisely.
• Purchasing additional plots for each family member (which can cost thousands each) becomes unnecessary.
• Ash interments usually come with lower burial fees, making them far more cost-effective.
• Families can maintain one shared resting place, reducing long-term maintenance and cemetery costs.

Common knowledge:

Many families assume each person needs their own full plot, simply because no one ever tells them otherwise. Cemetery depth allowances — like the one metre of clearance above the final casket — often go unexplained, even though they allow multiple ash burials to be added later.

So the Joes’ grand plan wasn’t just heartwarming…It was financially brilliant.

By understanding what’s actually possible within a single plot, families can plan ahead, stay together, and avoid spending far more than they need to — all while ensuring every loved one (and occasionally a beloved dog) has a meaningful place to rest

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What This Story Teaches Us:

• Triple plots can hold three full caskets.
• There must be at least 1 metre of soil from the top of the final casket to ground level.
• Upto- eight Ash burials can be interred in that remaining space — often up to eight in total.
• Families can plan ahead creatively — this story is fictional, but the logistics are completely real.

With thoughtful preparation, a single plot can truly become a meaningful place for generations — or in this case, an entire squad and their dog. Believe me, theyre not more squashed than when they were in the lounge.

This family’s story shows how smart planning can maximise a burial plot. For detailed pricing and plot regulations, see our Burial Costs in Auckland guide. If cost savings are a priority, you’ll find more strategies in Cheapest Funeral Plans and our Affordable Traditional Funeral Care article. For alternative tributes like bio‑urns or memorial trees, explore Living Memorials.

If you’d like help planning something a little less chaotic (or equally ambitious), we’re here to guide you through every step.