Cemeteries

The Berrigan Shire Council's Cemetery Maintenance Standards reflects the intent of the NSW Cemeteries and Crematorium Act 2013 and other NSW legislation, regulations and guidelines relevant to the administration of cemeteries.

Council as the administrator of cemeteries is the sole determinant of dignified behaviour within cemetery. This includes what constitutes a dignified funeral, monument design and installation, and the placement of tributes in addition to the permanent monument.

To minimise conflict as to what Council considers dignified and appropriate conduct within cemeteries managed, Council has prepared and implemented this Cemetery Maintenance Standards.

This Cemetery Maintenance Standards provides the instructions necessary for Council staff to administer the routine functions of Council operated cemeteries.

Cemetery-Maintenance-Standards-2025-2-1.pdf(PDF, 226KB)

Interment-Services-Levy-3.pdf(PDF, 180KB)

The purpose of this policy is to provide a management standard for the sustainable administration, operations and maintenance of Berrigan Shire Council’s cemeteries.

Policy-No.-11-Cemeteries-Policy-19.04.2023.pdf(PDF, 670KB)

• How do I arrange a burial in a Berrigan Shire Cemetery?
  Contact a local funeral director of your choice. They will handle the arrangements and obtain necessary Council forms.
• How many people can be buried in a lawn and Monumental plot?
  Each burial plot can accommodate three coffin burials (lawn). This needs to be determined at the time of the 1st Interment.
  Ashes can be interred into a lawn plot. Council will need to approve an application for ashes to be interred into a lawn cemetery prior a burial.
• Who do I contact to inter ashes?
  You can contact a local funeral director or Berrigan Shire Council for ashes interments in Memorial Walls and Memorial Garden (Barooga Cemetery ).
  Please refer to our current fees and charges 

• Who can erect a headstone or monument?
  Contact a monumental mason of your choice. They will obtain the necessary permits from Council.  
• Who is responsible for headstone/monument/plaque maintenance?
  The family or extended family of the person interred is responsible for maintaining the headstone, monument, or plaque. Council is responsible for maintaining the cemetery surrounds. 

When completing a pre-need Perpetual Interment Right Contract, you are paying for the plot and letting council know who is to be interred in this plot. An administration fee is also charged at this time. A perpetual Interment Right Certificate is then issued and is to be kept in a safe place. This certificate is required at time of interment

• How do I reserve a plot?

  Contact Council to confirm plot availability at your preferred cemetery and inquire about any specific conditions or restrictions.

  Plot reservations are not possible in the lawn areas of any of our Cemeteries.

• What do I pay for when completing a pre-need Perpetual Interment Right Contract – Reservation, and what is included in this cost?
  When completing a pre-need Perpetual Interment Right Contract, you are paying for the plot and letting council know who is to be interred in this plot. An administration fee is also charged at this time. A perpetual Interment Right Certificate is then issued and is to be kept in a safe place. This certificate is required at time of interment. 

  Refer to fees and charges

• Can I transfer a Perpetual Interment Right?

Yes, after consulting with the Cemetery Operator. A Transfer of Interment Right Application must be submitted with the associated administration fee.

• The Cemetery Operator reserves the right to review and/or amend these Terms and Conditions, its holdings, interment sites and property within its cemeteries at any time, without notice.
• Glass or other items that the Cemetery Operator deems to be a safety hazard are not permitted and if necessary, may be removed without notice to any person. 
• No person shall disturb any funeral service taking place at any grave, whether by working in the area, visiting the cemetery, or otherwise. 
• No plantings on grave site/memorials shall take place. 
• No person shall take or damage any of the plants, flowers, or shrubs within the cemetery.
• All rubbish & dead flowers are to be disposed of in rubbish bins where provided.

Please refer to the Cemetery Policy(PDF, 670KB) and Maintenance Standards(PDF, 226KB)

If you see something in any of our cemeteries that require Councils’ attention. Please use this form to Lodge a Request/issue.