How do you make space in a full cemetery without disturbing those interred?
As the population of Perth grows at a fast pace, one of its historical cemeteries has found a way to continue serving the community whilst respecting those who have been buried there for more than a century.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) in Western Australia manages one of the nation’s most unique cemetery renewal processes at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth’s most sought-after burial area. Despite the trend towards cremation, there is still a high demand for burials in a cemetery with no space and no means to expand. To extend the life of this iconic cemetery, the MCB has introduced a renewal process unique in Australia. With continued revision over the years, they have become industry leaders in cemetery renewal, with an approach that preserves the dignity and history of those interred while accommodating future burials for the community.
A Renewal Program with Heart
Unlike other cemeteries, where the original remains are often moved to an ossuary or reinterred at a deeper level, allowing new burials within existing graves, the MCB does not move the original interments. Instead, Karrakatta’s renewal process utilises the spaces between existing graves. This approach maintains the integrity of the original graves, allowing new burial opportunities without moving the final resting places of the previously interred.
New graves are placed in the space between original graves. Kerbing and panels are removed, while larger headstones are moved to a nearby garden or wall.
Guided by Expertise and Community Consultation
The MCB collaborates with a dedicated Monument Assessment Advisory Committee, composed of historians, genealogists, architects, and representatives from the Commonwealth Office of Australian War Graves. This committee evaluates each renewal area to identify graves of historical or cultural significance. Their findings inform which graves should be preserved, honouring the cemetery’s heritage.
With its renewed focus on respect and transparency, the MCB’s current renewal process involves extensive community consultation, inviting families and stakeholders to be part of the decision-making process. At the beginning of a 12-month consultative period, the MCB installs prominent signage, sends letters to current and expired grant holders and to family members who have registered their interest, and advertises in the local newspaper. Feedback from this period has brought to light remarkable stories, influencing the retention or relocation of certain graves. One submission detailed the life of a young man who was killed by flying concrete during the expansion of the Mundaring Weir. This led to the decision to preserve his grave for its historical interest. Another submission saw a family member suggest that the headstone of her great-aunt be relocated to a nearby garden to allow space for new burials, demonstrating the community’s recognition and understanding of the broader benefits of this program.
Addressing Past Concerns with Modern Respect
The MCB acknowledges that prior renewal policies did not always meet today’s standards for historical preservation. CEO Kathlene Oliver states, “We understand that past practices that started many decades ago did not meet the expectations of today’s society. We continually seek to improve and have refined our process into a world-leading standard in cemetery renewal.”
As part of these updated procedures, the MCB ensures all identified war graves are retained. Brigadier Tim Bayliss AM, Director of the Office of Australian War Graves praises these efforts: “Like many of our nation’s older cemeteries, Karrakatta Cemetery is much loved and highly valued by the Perth community. Cemetery renewal, while challenging for many, provides Perth residents a choice of burial location, in familiar place, amongst and alongside their forbears. While its past application has resulted in the removal of some official commemorations of Australian veterans, the contemporary renewal processes enabled by the MCB reflects their commitment to recognising Australian veterans who have died of causes related to their service. Recognition of our nation’s veterans and war dead, through memorialisation at the site of interment has been a partnership between the commonwealth and state and territory governments since veteran commemoration was first introduced in 1922. I applaud Minister Beazley and the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board for upholding it, more than a century later.”
Commemoration and Rejuvenation
With each renewal, Karrakatta Cemetery undergoes rejuvenation, benefiting from new landscaping, maintained grass, and garden beds that enhance the environment for visitors. Concrete beams are carefully placed to support both new and smaller existing headstones without moving any original graves. New plaques mark graves where larger headstones have been removed or relocated.
Where a renewed area contains unmarked stillborn graves, the MCB will install a commemorative plaque over these graves to remember children “Born Sleeping,” providing a compassionate acknowledgment for families and visitors alike.
Before and after renewal
A recently renewed area with retained graves, concrete beams for new burials and plaques placed on the beam to commemorate the original interment.
A resting place for generations to come
The renewal program at Karrakatta Cemetery has brought about feedback from the Perth community, with some expressing concerns over change within a cemetery of such historical importance. The MCB empathises with these perspectives, emphasising that renewal is not a revenue-driven endeavour but a necessary strategy to keep Karrakatta Cemetery open and maintained for future generations. Without renewal, Perth would lack a central cemetery option with the next option more than 19km from central Perth.
Karrakatta Cemetery’s renewal not only extends the life of this beloved cemetery but ensures it remains a dignified, accessible, and safe resting place for past and future generations of Western Australians.