Managing supply of burial land to meet customer needs
With many Sydney cemeteries beginning to reach capacity in available land, cemetery managers are striving to maximise burial space within their existing grounds. Metropolitan Memorial Parks was established to unite Northern Metropolitan Cemeteries, Rookwood General Cemetery, and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries, with our remit being to work with the NSW Government to manage the cemetery land issue and meet community demand.
At Metropolitan Memorial Parks, availability of burial allotments across our memorial parks varies, and this is particularly evident within some of our dedicated religious and cultural areas. To address this, where demand is high and availability of allotments is limited, we prioritise those with an immediate need for a burial. This enables us to ensure that during life’s most challenging moments, those in need can be accommodated.
Our commitment to serving the community extends to offering pre-purchase burial allotments where possible. While allotments may not be available for pre-purchase in all areas, families have a range of choices, especially when they are flexible regarding location. As a general guideline, non-denominational areas typically offer more availability.
In our ongoing efforts to address shortage of cemetery land, we are working closely with the NSW Government to identify long-term solutions. This includes, seeking opportunities to acquire suitable land for new cemeteries, maximising the use of remaining land within our existing memorial parks, and exploring cemetery renewal projects.
To enquire about the availability of pre-purchase allotments across our memorial parks, contact us here.
Grounds Maintenance and Projects Update
Our grounds team are dedicated to maintaining our cemetery grounds so they look their best at all times throughout the year. Our maintenance schedule includes year-round tasks such as lawn mowing, brush cutting and removal of weeds, as well as seasonal activities such as pruning and planting. Projects to improve cemetery grounds and infrastructure occur throughout the year.
Your support in maintaining a safe environment at Rookwood General Cemetery is greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Client Services team at 02 8575 8100.
Current Developments
Muslim 8, Block I - pathway safety works
Works to improve the safety of footpaths in a small section of Muslim 8, Block I will commence in early 2025 and take approximately two months to complete. The works are intended to remove hazards identified in this area and ensure the safety of families and stakeholders. During this time access to some gravesites may be temporarily restricted.
Chinese 4 Section Development
Construction works for the creation of new burial plots, expected to complete November 2024.
Construction works to extend the Muslim Lawn (section 8) at Rookwood General Cemetery commenced in December 2023, with expected completion in October 2024.
The works includes roadworks, drainage, parking bays and landscaping and will be delivered over three stages:
- Stage 1: Block J – Construction completed.
- Stage 2: Blocks F & G – expected to be completed by end of July – see photos below.
- Stage 3: Block I – to commence August for completion in October.
Whelan Ave Road Narrowing and and Chinese 1 & 2 Extension Project
These works will deliver approximately 400 additional burial sites in the Chinese 1 and 2 sections. The works include the narrowing of the road at Whelan Avenue, road and car parking improvements, and landscaping.
Road works are expected to be completed by end of 2024, with creation of new burial plots to be completed by early 2025
Armenian/Assyrian Rd Replacement
Reconstruction of the road, curb, gutter, and new stormwater drainage infrastructure is due to commence during the month of August 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
