Executive Board - Cemeteries & Crematoria Association

CCANSW Directors

Chairperson

Nadine Phipps

Deputy Chair

Andrew Fraser

Secretary

Mary Reid

Director

Christie Flippence

Director

Stephen Kellaway

Director

Bruce Knight

Director

Rob Smart

Did you know?

Interesting facts and FAQs about burial, cremation, funerals and ways to commemorate life.

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Latest Q & A

Answers

Authority to remove ashes (0 answers)

5 days ago

I have had a request to remove ashes from the son of the deceased. The deceased's husband placed the ashes and is also now deceased. There was never a Right of burial issued at...

Answers

Does the person who pays for the interment right own the interment right? (2 answers)

one month ago

When a cemetery allotment was paid for by the funeral director, do they actually hold the rights to the allotment? If this is the case, if the funeral director's client pays the...

Answers

Survey of visitor numbers? (2 answers)

4 months ago

Hi all - I was wondering whether Operators have done studies of visitation rates in a particular cemetery or within a particular area for larger sites?

Answer

How can I ensure that I am cremated when I die? (1 answer)

8 months ago

Upon death I wish my body to be cremated. How do I make certain that happens?

Answer

How will pathological samples retained & then returned by the Coroner be dealt with? (1 answer)

8 months ago

Under certain circumstances the coroner for a jurisdiction may remove and retain pathological samples from a deceased person's body. When the samples are released by the...

Answer

Where can I find information on mortars and related materials? (1 answer)

4 months ago

I need information on the types of mortars in use in construction, especially in heritage items such a sold buildings and monuments. Where might I find such information?

Heritage NSW has a guide online that we have linked here:

Answers

How can I calculate and manage maintenance in perpetuity? (2 answers)

3 years ago

Are there any tools available to assist in calculating perpetual maintenance liability without engaging an actuary?

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (NSW) has provided a spreadsheet model to assist in with calculation perpetual maintenance. Download Estimated Perpetual Care...

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Where can I search for or find burial and cremation records? (1 answer)

8 months ago

What resources are available in Australia to search for records of deceased persons?

In most jurisdictions recent deaths must be recorded by a government appointed authority or registrar. In New South Wales the records are maintained by the Registrar of Birth...

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Where can I get traditional NSW burial register forms? (1 answer)

4 months ago

I am having trouble sourcing a new Burial Register, do you sell these or do you know where or who would sell the registers?

I'm assuming you're referring to traditional paper (hard copy) systems. Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW has a guide for registers...

Answer

What does “freestanding” means in relation to the term “freestanding headstone”? (1 answer)

4 months ago

Does freestanding mean “not relying on or linked to anything else; independent”? Would “freestanding headstones” be those that are not connected to an adjacent pillar/column or...

Freestanding headstone are those that are not supported by another structure (i.e., they do not rely on or link to anything else.). Should a freestanding headstone be...

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Position of coffin in grave (5 answers)

2 years ago

Hello, can you tell me how Council can determine where the coffin is, in the grave?

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What should the width between graves be? (4 answers)

3 years ago

We have just had an enquiry asking what the law states as to the width between burials., that allows room for walking between the graves without standing on someone’s grave. I...

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Can the family dig or backfill the grave? (4 answers)

3 years ago

When a deceased person's body is to be buried in a cemetery, may family members assist in digging and closing the grave?

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Standard Width of cemetery plots (3 answers)

2 years ago

Hello, what is the standard width of cemetery plots today? We need to put more beams into a cemetery in the Dubbo Regional Council LGA and would like to know what are the...

AFAIK there is no mandated size for grave plots. As a bit of background, when I first dealt with cemeteries in the early 1980s many local government cemeteries were standardised...

Answers

Natural Burials (3 answers)

2 years ago

Just wondering if anyone can give information on what is required: To nominate an area for Natural Burial Does the area need specific authorisation What are the rules,...

In a local government context Shoalhaven City Council & Lismore Council have long established designated natural burial areas. It may be worth contacting them. I was...

Answers

Can a grant of a burial licence in a council-managed cemetery be refused if the applicant doesn't meet the "local connection" criteria? (2 answers)

8 months ago

A community cemetery advisory committee has recommended that Council should refuse to grant a burial licence in a council-managed cemetery if the applicant doesn't meet the...

There are a number of Councils that, in theory, apply a non-resident premium to burial right fees to discourage “out of towners”. Where it is difficult is actually...

Answer

What religious ceremony can I have with cremation? (1 answer)

8 months ago

If cremation is acceptable to your religion, then you would be able to have a religious service prior to the cremation occuring. The nature and details of the service...

Answers

How can I calculate and manage maintenance in perpetuity? (2 answers)

3 years ago

Are there any tools available to assist in calculating perpetual maintenance liability without engaging an actuary?

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (NSW) has provided a spreadsheet model to assist in with calculation perpetual maintenance. Download Estimated Perpetual Care...

Answers

Natural Burials (3 answers)

2 years ago

Just wondering if anyone can give information on what is required: To nominate an area for Natural Burial Does the area need specific authorisation What are the rules,...

In a local government context Shoalhaven City Council & Lismore Council have long established designated natural burial areas. It may be worth contacting them. I was...

Answers

Can I bury my pet in a NSW cemetery? (0 answers)

3 years ago

Can I bury my pet in a NSW cemetery?