A new Legacy Plot Reservation Management Policy set to be implemented will create a clear and respectful process for the return of unused cemetery plots and long-held internment rights to Council.
Director of Community Services, Kerri Contini said the new policy, to be formally adopted at next Thursday's Ordinary Meeting, aims to address challenges created by long-standing unused reserved burial plots at the Tewantin, Pomona and Cooroy cemeteries.
"A recent review by Council found approximately 225 unused, reserved plots across our three cemeteries and with quite a high number of these plots being reserved many decades ago, it's unclear whether many of them are still needed by those who reserved them," Ms Contini said.
"While our Cooroy and Pomona cemeteries have ample space, Tewantin Cemetery is now at full capacity for traditional new burials and this uncertainty regarding plots has created a barrier for local families seeking burial options.
"This new policy introduces a structured and transparent process for Council to contact people who purchased plots 25 or more years ago, or their descendants and provide a 90-day response period to confirm their intention to retain the plot.
"In instances where a reserved plot is no longer needed, that plot can be returned to Council to become available for future community use."
Brisbane resident Cazna Coombs recently contacted Council to arrange the interment of her late partner Trevor's ashes and discovered he had reserved a burial plot in 1985 at Tewantin Cemetery beside his parents, Arthur and Eva.
Ms Coombs chose to return the plot, highlighting how unused reserved plots can be respectfully returned to Council when they are no longer required.
"When Trevor passed, it meant a great deal to me to honour his wish to be laid to rest with his mum and dad," she said.
"Once I learned he already had a reserved burial plot beside them that he no longer needed, it just felt right to return it to Council so another family could use it.
"The process was simple and very respectful. Trevor's ashes are now interred with his parents and I've also arranged for their headstone to be refurbished.
"I'm looking forward to visiting on the first anniversary of Trevor's passing, knowing the site looks beautiful and that the unused plot has already helped another family in need."
The relinquished plot has since been used for a burial in September last year.
Ms Contini said the new policy will balance sensitivity to family history with the need to better utilise existing cemetery land and address burial capacity issues at Tewantin Cemetery.
"While people have always been able to voluntarily return a reserved plot to Council, this policy enables Council to proactively audit unused plots and contact reservation holders or their next of kin and arrange for a return of unused plots."
"This policy will include a safeguard whereby Council will retain a vacant plot at each of our three cemeteries to accommodate the rare circumstance where a legitimate claimant comes forward after the 90-day notification period," she said.
Council will begin contacting eligible plot holders and descendants in the coming months.
