Burial Types at Rookwood

To meet the unique needs of the communities that use Rookwood to farewell their loved ones, we conducts 15 different burial types.

This customisation allows us to meet the different needs of the many religious and cultural denominations that we work with, many whom have very specific requirements when it comes to end-of-life values.

Look at what we can do for our communities.

• Lawn Burial 

Comprising of a grass-top grave with a plaque or headstone at the head of the grave. This interment type allows for a lowering device to lower the casket into the grave.

• Monumental Burial

Comprising of a granite monument that covers the entire grave. This interment type requires the casket to be lowered by hand, mitigating the risk of damaging adjacent monuments.

• Chinese Lawn Burial

Consisting of a traditional Chinese ceremony, these burials take place within one of our Chinese lawn sections. Chinese traditions are adhered to, incorporating string fireworks, a burning drum and incense.

• Chinese Monumental Burial 

Consisting of a traditional Chinese ceremony, these burials take place within one of our Chinese monumental sections. The service incorporates string fireworks, a burning drum and incense.

• Orthodox Lawn Burial 

Taking place in one of our Orthodox lawn sections, this service is unique as the deceased is lowered into the grave by hand and olive oil, red wine and wheat is scattered over the casket

• Orthodox Monumental Burial 

Taking place in one of our Orthodox monumental sections, this service is unique as the deceased is lowered into the grave by hand and olive oil, red wine and wheat is scattered over the casket.

• Catholic Lawn 

Comprising of a service similar to a traditional lawn burial, however the casket is carried to the grave by the family. Mourners place handfuls of sand on the casket before observing the backfilling process.

• Catholic Monumental

Comprising of a service similar to a traditional monumental burial, however, the casket is carried to the grave by the family and mourners place handfuls of sand on the casket before backfilling occurs.

• Jewish Burial

Taking place within 24 hours of an individual passing, these burials are situated in our Jewish burial ground. The deceased is interred facing the East and mourners backfill the graves themselves using shovels. Guests place stones on the graves in place of flowers.

• Islamic Burial

Taking place within 24 hours of an individual passing, these burials are situated in our Islamic burial ground. A casket is not used, instead a concrete tomb is constructed with no base - allowing the deceased is placed on the earth in accordance with Islamic customs. The departed is wrapped in a shroud and lowered into the grave by a family member.

• Pacific Islander Burial

Consisting of a service in our Pacific Islander burial ground, these interments incorporate traditional Islander customs. The casket is wrapped in a natural material and the first layer of dirt is placed into the grave by hand.

• Brethren Burial 

Conducted by Brethren community members, rather than a funeral director, these services take place shortly after the deceased passes.

• Above Ground Crypt Burial 

Situated within our Mausoleum, caskets are placed into the walls. Artificial flowers are used in place of fresh flowers and the mausoleum must remain a certain temperature at all times.

• Above Ground Vault Burial

Situated in a standalone crypt that can be purchased for a family. Artificial flowers are used in place of fresh flowers and the vault must remain a certain temperature at all times.

• West Minster Crypt Burial

Situated in a standalone crypt that is configured with half of the crypt below the ground. Artificial flowers are used in place of fresh flowers and the crypt must remain a certain temperature at all times.