All plots located at The Cemetery On the Hill are used in accordance with a held Interment Right. Each Interment Right has a set amount of time associated with it. For grave plots, this is 50 years; and for ashes plots, this is 25 years. As an Interment Right approaches its expiry, The Cemetery on The Hill will make every effort to contact the Interment Rights holder using the contact details we have on record.

If an Interment Right expires and no arrangements have been made for renewal or relinquishment, an expiration notice will be placed on the plot advising the family of the deceased to get in contact with The Cemetery on The Hill to discuss options. An expiry notice will be posted in the Advertiser as well.

If a period of 2 years has passed since these efforts to notify the interment right holder were made, the plot will be reclaimed by The Cemetery on The Hill. In accordance with the Burial and Cremation Act 2013 and Regulations 2014, the site may then be reused and made available for a new interment right holder.

On the occasion that a site is reused, The Cemetery on The Hill will adhere strictly to the South Australian Legislation. If a gravesite is reused, The Cemetery on The Hill will perform what is called a lift and deepen procedure to relocate any interred remains further down in the same plot. This procedure is performed with absolute respect for the remains. Any skeletal remains are carefully collected and placed into an ossuary box; the depth of the grave is then increased and the ossuary box is placed at the new depth.

In the case of reusing an expired ashes interment plot, the existing cremated remains will be respectfully removed and relocated to an unmarked location within The Cemetery on The Hill. In the case of an ashes plot being relinquished, upon removal of the cremated remains, The Cemetery on The Hill will be more than happy to return these remains at the discretion of the family. If no direction is provided upon relinquishment of the plot, the interred remains will be relocated to an unmarked location within the Cemetery.