Cemeteries and memorial parks go through different phases during their lifecycle. When they are still accepting new burials (the so-called active phase), they tend to be heavily visited. When they are closed to new burials (the so-called inactive phase), visitor numbers tend to be lower and less frequent.
Given the community, cultural, and historic significance of cemeteries and memorial parks as places of remembrance and reflection, it is important that we properly plan for their perpetual (ongoing) care and maintenance as they transition from active to inactive phases.
The NSW Government is developing a Perpetual Care Framework. The consultation period has now closed, and we thank industry stakeholders and the wider community for their valuable feedback. Your feedback will inform the final framework, with related regulatory requirements expected to commence in 2027.
What is the Perpetual Care Framework about
The Framework aims to ensure cemeteries and memorial parks are respected and maintained into the future with clear standards for care. It has four objectives:
- Dignity and respect: that the remains of people interred in cemeteries must always be treated with dignity and respect.
- Cultural and religious inclusion: that the memorialisation practices and beliefs of all religious and cultural groups must be respected, both at the time of interment and into the future.
- Financial sustainability: that the approach to perpetual care must support ongoing financial sustainability of the sector and minimise cost impacts for people and their families.
- Maximising public value: That the future states of cemeteries should maximise their public value, in line with community needs and expectations while considering place-based approaches.
Background information
The feedback period has now closed. The draft framework and related background material remain available below for reference.
We will update the Cemeteries and Crematoria website on a regular basis as we work to finalise the Perpetual Care Framework.
If you have any enquiries, please email us at [email protected]