Should you be allowed to choose where you will be buried and have an answer before you die?
Arnold Carter, a stalwart of the West Australian town of Port Hedland, says yes, and describes any efforts to stop him from being buried in the place he has chosen as "deplorable".
Mr Carter, 95, wants to be buried in Port Hedland's pioneer cemetery, across the road from the beach near the town centre.
But the cemetery is closed, and for his final wish to be fulfilled, Mr Carter must apply to the WA Local Government Minister John Carey for permission, which he cannot receive until after he dies.
The cemetery is the final resting place for people from the town's early days, as well as the remains of an Aboriginal person who died in the area hundreds of years ago.
It was declared full by authorities in 1968 in favour of the South Hedland cemetery about 11 kilometres away, but wasn't officially closed by the Town of Port Hedland until 2020.
The South Hedland cemetery is expected to stay open until about 2055.
Mr Carter has dismissed this and believes there is more than enough space for his grave in the pioneer cemetery.
"Port Hedland is something that I would never have believed unless I was here to see it happen," he said.
Mr Carter, who has lived in the Pilbara town for more than 60 years, has watched it transform from a tiny northern outpost into the biggest bulk export port in the world.
He is a former shire president and business leader, and believes he has been a big contributor to the town.
Mr Carter said his love for Port Hedland and its history was behind his desire to be laid to rest alongside the town's early residents.
He feels no connection to South Hedland because the port town is his home.
Mr Carter believes he should have the right to choose where he is buried and wants an answer to his application before he dies.
If his application is successful, the Town of Port Hedland believes the pioneer cemetery could accommodate Mr Carter.
Mayor Peter Carter, who is not related to Arnold Carter, said a small part of the cemetery could still be used for future burials.
"There is a small strip of land between the cemetery reserve boundary and the fence which may accommodate a limited amount of burials in the future," Mr Carter said.
"Anybody wishing to be buried at the site is able to have their family or executor make an application on their behalf after they are deceased to seek permission from the Minister of Local Government."
In a separate statement, a state government spokesperson confirmed this and said decisions were made "based on a number of considerations" after applicants had died.
