From housing crisis - to cemetery crisis.

Wellington's cemeteries are running out of room, and the council is now considering offering up graves for rent.

That means residents could rent a grave for between 15 to 100 years, and when the lease expires, remains would be exhumed and relocated or cremated.

Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they are in the exploratory phase at the moment and are asking residents for their views.

"41 per cent indicated they would be interested in this, but look, it won't be for everyone."

She says that there can't be any pressure or compulsion as it's not for every family. 

There is regulation in this area, she says - a disinterment costs $2033 and requires a certificate from Regional Public Health. 

"We really haven't thought through the details on what the charges would be if we offered graves for a shorter period in the future." 

On one suggestion that people get buried standing up rather than laying down, Fitzsimons says there has already been investigations into this and the hard rock is too close to the surface in Wellington. 

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