Interment refers to the burial or cremation of human remains either below ground or in above ground structures.
NSW cemeteries and crematoria are regulated by
Crown cemetery operators have additional regulation to other cemetery operators because they operate cemeteries on Crown land (State government land).
Interment rights are explained in the Questions and answers fact sheet (PDF, 206KB), overview of the interment rights system (PDF, 92KB) and the guides below.
The resources on this page will help cemetery and crematorium operators meet their requirements under Part 4 of the legislation.
For information and resources on the requirements under Division 3 Part 3 of the legislation visit the Interment Industry Scheme page.
Guides
Interment rights (system) in NSW
Part 4 of the Act sets out the interment rights system for NSW
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Guide to the interment rights system in NSW (PDF)(163.9 KB)
Industry terms and references
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Guide to terms and references used in the interment sector (PDF)(106.99 KB)
Maintenance of memorials
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Requirements for the maintenance, alteration and repair of memorials (PDF)(305.68 KB)
Heritage advisory committees
Under the section 69 of the Act, operators must establish and manage heritage advisory committees.
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Guide to heritage advisory committees (PDF)(246.38 KB)
Cemetery operator's register
Operators must meet information compliance requirements under part 4 of the Act and the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulation 2022 (previously shown as the 2014 Regulation)
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Guide for a cemetery operators register (PDF)(236.36 KB)
Multiple interment rights
CCNSW can remove the restriction on a person holding interment rights for more than 2 sites in a cemetery. These guides explain what information cemetery operators must provide when applying for an exemption.
Guide to records: certificates and forms
Guide to help operators complete certificates and forms required under part 4 of the Act.
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Guide for records, certificates and forms (PDF)(253.42 KB)
Templates
The templates from the Guide to records: certificates and forms are in PDF format.
Regarding religious or cultural practices
Under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulation 2022, cemetery operators must determine if any cultural or religious practices apply to human remains before they can be disturbed.
To help you identify cultural or spiritual leaders you can consult, see the table below. We will update this over time.
Disclaimer: The organisations listed provided the information on this page. This is to help with enquiries about religious and cultural practices for interment.
The State of NSW (including the Department of Planning and Environment) and the publisher take no responsibility, and will accept no liability, for the accuracy, reliability or correctness of any information on this page.