Resources for Aboriginal peoples | Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW

Aboriginal engagement

Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) has been engaging with Aboriginal people so we can better understand the cultural and spiritual requirements for burial and cremation.

Who are we

CCNSW is a NSW Government agency that:

supports and regulates the interment industry (cemeteries and crematoria) in NSW
provides information on burial and cremation options to the public.

What we are working on

An Interment Industry Scheme including:

Aboriginal cultural and spiritual principles
guidelines for cemeteries and crematoria on Aboriginal cultural and spiritual requirements
more clearly listed costs, including all fees and charges
treating people with respect and proper customer service

Information for mob, including:

the types of burials available, including options without conventional coffins or caskets
knowing where to go if you are unhappy with the cemetery or crematorium operator

What about funeral directors and funeral insurance?

CCNSW only regulates cemeteries and crematoria. We don’t regulate funeral directors or funeral insurance. Funeral directors are regulated by NSW Fair Trading and NSW Health. Funeral insurance funds are regulated by Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Key documents

Fact sheet - Information on Aboriginal engagement (PDF)(145.75 KB)

Fact sheet - Aboriginal cultural and spiritual principles for burial and cremation (PDF)(129.01 KB)

Fact sheet - CCNSW and introduction to the Aboriginal principles for burial and cremation (PDF)(87.85 KB)

Fact sheet - Pricing and what to expect (PDF)(129.62 KB)

Fact sheet - What is the difference between a funeral director and a cemetery or crematoria operator (PDF)(141.16 KB)

Fact sheet - Making a complaint or enquiry to Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) (PDF)(121.18 KB)

Fact sheet - Burial without a conventional coffin (PDF)(119.07 KB)

Fact sheet - Guidelines on how to establish a cemetery (PDF)(158.04 KB)

Resources

Journey to Dreaming Toolkit - Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW
- This material has been created by Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC), please visit their website for more resources www.ahmrc.org.au.
Wills for Aboriginal people - NSW Trustee & Guardian
National Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to Identify and Protect Unmarked Grave and Cemeteries
- The guide aims to provide clear and practical advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia to identify and protect the unmarked graves and burial sites of their ancestors. It was developed by Virtus Heritage in collaboration with the Tweed-Byron LALC and the Mapoon Aboriginal community and funded by the Australian Government.