Pyes Pa Memorial Park marked its 30,000th cremations last Friday - a number that's been accruing since the crematorium opened for business in 1967.

The crematorium now has two cremators in operation, but the original one is still in business and has been updated and modified over the years.

Though Pyes Pa Memorial Park's cemetery and crematorium is a place of the dead, it has its own life too, says Tauranga City Council parks manager Mark Smith. Photo: Daniel Hines

The city council is obliged to provide space for burials under the Local Government Act, but not a crematorium, says Tauranga City Council parks manager Mark Smith.

And while the Pyes Pa Memorial Park's cemetery and crematorium is a place of the dead, it has its own life. It's growing for one thing, with more people being buried there every day – as well as being cremated.

Tauranga has nine cemeteries, with most of them between 17th and 18th Avenue, Grace Road and Fraser Street and differentiated along denominational lines. They are full, though some families still have options on a few sites.

Pyes Pa is at about 50 per cent, and there's neighbouring land which will be brought into use as the need arises.

While it offers a more inclusive service than the old denominationally segregated plots, there are still differing sections. There is a Returned Services Section which is very busy on Anzac Days with 150-200 people attending the graveside services. There's a children's section, and a Muslim section.

The ashes of the cremated can be scattered on a rose garden with a border plaque identifying the donor, or taken away.

'It's a very sensitive subject. We do our best to please everyone. It's a hard time for a family. And it's real. We all need this service at some point,” says Mark.

It's a growing business, a captive market and once in a lifetime opportunity, but Mark's not one for graveyard humour. Instead the focus is on treating all arrivals with absolute respect, and removing irritations for the grieving.

The grounds are kept to a high standard, and there's a lot of thought and effort going into shaping the grounds to complement the resting places of the residents.

There used to be far more oak trees at Pyes Pa Memorial Park, but some people found the leaf fall untidy, says Mark.

All trees drop about the same amount of leaves over a year, but because some people didn't like swaths of leaves blowing across their relatives graves every autumn, the ground staff have over time changed out the species so it doesn't happen.

There are also no large trees close to graves, and the size of the headstones are restricted to discourage the splurge on large statutory seen in some cemeteries.

The cherry trees arched over the driveway are stunning in blossom and draw a large tui population, says Mark.

As the city has grown so have the size of the crowds that attend some funerals. It's seen the crematorium chapel expanded and the adjacent Tui Lounge added, linked to the chapel via an AV link so the service can be piped through.

The Tui Lounge's main function is where family can gather for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards, says Mark.

There are four staff looking after the Pyes Pa cemetery, three grounds men and the office manager who keeps track of the bookings.

'We're having eight cremations today and one service,” says Mark. 'It's usually three or four a day, it always varies.”

And they know where everybody is. If a family member seeks information on a relative, they have the records over everyone there.

'No one's lost. We look after them all the time.”