A Cemetery is a specific area where people are laid to rest. They can tell us a lot about the ethnic groups, lifestyles and historical events that occurred in an area.
If you visit a cemetery, it is best to bring notepaper and family group worksheets to record inscriptions accurately. Also, a camera is useful for recording photos.
Graves
A grave is a burial space for caskets or cremated remains. It can be marked with a headstone or marker. Graves can be public or private. Some cultures keep the dead close to their homes, while others bury them in cemeteries. Visiting a loved one’s grave can help with grief and closure.
A tomb is a structure built above ground for a single or multiple burials. It is usually a rectangular or circular shape, although it can be shaped like a cross, pyramid or dome. Tombs can be a simple square block with bevelled or coped edges (code 5000) or have a low monument or bale on top of the slab on which the headstone is placed (code 8000).
A tree or shrub may be planted over a grave but permission must be obtained from the Cemetery Manager prior to this being undertaken. The Council reserves the right to remove any unauthorised memorial, plants or flowers from a grave without notice for any necessary reason.
Monuments
Monuments are a beautiful way to honor your loved ones. They can be custom designed and created to reflect your family’s values, honor Jewish tradition and to serve as a permanent reminder of your departed loved one. Monuments can include many details such as inscriptions, carving and ornamentation and often are costly purchases that require careful planning to assure design and size requirements meet cemetery regulations and other rules and policies.
Choosing the right memorial can be overwhelming due to the number of decisions and options available. Experienced monument artisans can guide you through the process, providing advice and ensuring that your monument selection is consistent with your budget and cemetery guidelines.
Upright monuments, slant headstones and flush memorials are the most common types of cemetery memorials. These are available in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes to help you tell your loved ones’ unique stories. Adding specific, heartfelt inscriptions and religious symbols can make these memorials even more meaningful.
Columbariums
A columbarium is a wall, room or building that houses the cremation urns of individuals. These structures come in a variety of sizes and designs and can be found at many places, including churches. In fact, some church members may be surprised to learn that a columbarium is available to them and their family members.
These structures are often built indoors, making them a good choice for those who are worried about weather or who want to visit their loved ones in all seasons. They can also be a good option for families who are concerned about the scattering of ashes or the possibility of their urns being stolen.
Like mausoleums, columbariums are a great choice for those who want to avoid the high costs of an earth burial or who are looking to save space in their family grave plot. In some cases, a person who has purchased a right of inurnment can be interred in a church columbarium at the same cost as a cemetery gravesite.
Memorial Gardens
Memorial gardens are serene spaces designed to support the healing process. They provide a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance, and offer a variety of personalization options. They can also support the environment by promoting sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity.
They typically include walking paths, water features, and abundant plant life. The plants and flowers are carefully selected, with many having specific symbolic meanings. For example, roses symbolize love and passion, while lilies represent purity and innocence. They can also feature a wide range of benches and seating areas to provide a comfortable space for visitors to rest.
Other common features include headstones and monuments, masoleums, cremation memorials, and memorial walls and plaques. They can also incorporate statues and sculptures to add a more personal touch. Memorial gardens also prioritize sustainability and ecological responsibility. Their varied landscape helps mitigate soil erosion and maintain biodiversity, which is a positive impact on the community. This also makes them a great educational space for children and adults to learn about environmental conservation and gardening.