The new ash memorial spaces at Scarborough Cemetery. Photos: Wollongong City Council.
Almost 480 new memorial spaces have been created at the historical Scarborough Cemetery.
With more than 1000 ash memorials on the site, the cemetery had run out of space for new placements.
Earlier this year, Wollongong City Council started work on an extensive construction project to increase memorial space, including new ash walls and gardens.
Two open days will be held this month – the first this Saturday (6 July) – for the community to view the work and speak with staff about purchasing a place.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said there had already been a lot of interest from people who had held onto their loved one’s ashes in the hopes of memorialising them at the cemetery, which dates back to the 1890s.
“Scarborough Cemetery is one of the most scenic locations in the city, but it’s also limited by space as it overlooks the coastline,” Councillor Bradbery said.
“Now that works have finished, we’re pleased to share that the new memorial space and garden is open.
“This will come as good news to those who have long been interested in memorialising their loved one at the Scarborough Cemetery and now have the opportunity to purchase a place in the wall.”
The community is invited to an information session to see the new ash walls and gardens at Scarborough Cemetery.
Scarborough Cemetery is one of nine cemeteries the council manages.
“As the City of Wollongong’s population has increased and diversified, council’s service has adapted over the years to meet the changing needs of our multicultural community,” Cr Bradbery said.
“In recent years, that includes offering new types of services such as our recent move to dedicate ground at the Wollongong Lawn Cemetery for natural burials.
“This environmentally focused burial option is increasingly becoming popular with those who want an alternative to contemporary Western burial methods and modern funeral customs.
“It also means increasing access to traditional and cultural burial practices so that people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds can feel welcome in our cemeteries.”
Cr Bradbery said work was well underway on the design of a new Aboriginal burial section at Wollongong Lawn Cemetery, in consultation with local elders, the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“This is a long-term project, and it’s important we get this essential preliminary work done right so that we can be sure the design meets the community’s needs,” he said.
Scarborough Cemetery information days will be held on Saturday 6 and 20 July, from 9-11 am.
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