Cemeteries and burials

Please note: Not all burials have headstones, which sometimes makes it difficult to identify locations. Burial records before the 1980s were also received from churches, funeral directors and gravediggers, therefore not all were received.

Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW

Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) is a NSW Government agency that regulates cemetery and crematorium operators in NSW and provides information on burial and cremation options to the public. They can also assist with resolving complaints and questions concerning cemeteries and crematoria. For more information, please visit CCNSW. 

Burial regulations & plot capacity

The number of burials in a plot depends on factors such as ground conditions, burial depth and environmental elements. Under public health regulations a plot can accommodate up to two burials if the first burial is at a depth of 2.1 metres. Additionally, up to six sets of ashes can be interred in the same grave.

For more details, visit NSW Health. 

Order for interment

An order for interment is a formal document that confirms who will be interred (buried or have their ashes placed) and the exact location within the cemetery. This form is usually completed by the funeral director or monumental mason and is submitted to Council shortly before the burial or placement of ashes.

Perpetual interment right

A perpetual interment right gives the holder the authority to have remains buried or interred at a specific site permanently. This means the site is preserved indefinitely and will not be reused or reclaimed. A perpetual interment right can be purchased in advance (pre-need) or at the time of need (at-need) if a loved one has passed away without an existing right.

After you apply for an interment right for a burial plot or niche, Council will issue a legal document called an Interment Right. This gives the holder the exclusive right to use a specific site for burial or the placement of ashes, but it does not provide ownership of the land.

Please note: not all burials have headstones, and some records prior to the 1960’s may not have been passed on to Council.

Burial permit (Interment Right)

After reserving a burial plot or niche, you will be granted a legal document by Council called an Interment Right. This grants you the exclusive right to use a specific burial site or place for cremated ashes but does not confer ownership or title to the land.

Transferring Rights

An Interment Right can be transferred to another person, subject to conditions set by Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW and endorsed by Council. A transfer fee applies to each burial site transferred.

• Transfer by holder - When the current holder, who is alive, wishes to transfer the right to another person.
• Transfer by intestacy - When the deceased holder has no will, transfer follows family lineage.
• Transfer by bequest - When the deceased holder’s will specifies a beneficiary/ies to receive the interment right.
• Determination of Holder - When a decision is needed to identify the rightful holder.
• Memorial works for a non-interment right holder - When a non-holder applies to maintain or install a memorial.

For more information on Interment Rights, please visit Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW, download our Transfer of Interment Rights fact sheet and read the Reasonable Notification Guidelines.

Monument works

When erecting a new monument, it’s recommended that you wait 6-12 months to allow for the ground to settle at the burial site.

All monuments must first be approved by Council. Application must be submitted by the interment right holder, comply with the Australian Standards and be installed by a licensed monumental mason.

The care, maintenance and repair of monuments are the responsibility of the interment right holder, family or estate of the deceased, or the holder of a Non-Interment Right Holder Permit for memorial works.

Death notification

The Australian Death Notification Service lets you notify multiple organisations about the death of a loved one with a free and simple process.

The Service allows you to notify financial, insurance, superannuation, utility providers and government services through one channel.