The Minns Labor Government is calling on cemetery operators and communities to help shape the future of cemeteries and memorial parks across the state, with the release of the draft Perpetual Care Framework for public consultation.
Cemeteries and memorial parks are more than resting places, they are spaces for remembrance, reflection, and community connection. The draft Perpetual Care Framework sets out a plan to ensure these special places are cared for, respected, and accessible for generations to come.
The proposed framework will:
- Provide a clear definition of what is meant by perpetual care
- Provide opportunities to keep cemeteries as vibrant and valuable spaces into the future, even when they have reached full capacity
- Hold cemetery operators accountable for perpetual care and ensure ongoing safe access for families and communities
- Give families certainty that cemeteries will be maintained with dignity and respect, even after they are no longer active
- Manage maintenance costs most effectively through long term planning
- Respect the diverse religious and cultural needs of NSW communities
- Allow for innovative and respectful uses for cemeteries, such as new green spaces, so these valued places can continue to benefit the community in new ways.
The draft Perpetual Care Framework shares real-world examples of what a well-planned approach to perpetual care can look like in practice, citing the Melbourne General Cemetery in central Melbourne, and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Sydney as alternative approaches.
Project Cultivate - Melbourne General Cemetery
This initiative has transformed traditional cemetery landscapes into thriving native grasslands, reducing water use and chemical inputs while enhancing biodiversity. It demonstrates how cemeteries can honour memory and contribute to environmental resilience.
Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
Once a cemetery, this site is now a vibrant public park, showing how inactive cemeteries can be repurposed to serve communities while preserving heritage.
Have Your Say
Cemetery operators and communities are invited to provide their feedback to ensure the final framework meets the needs of all and supports a strong, sustainable future for NSW cemeteries.
