Some cemeteries in Australia's big cities are running out of room for new graves. Rookwood in western Sydney is the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere. It covers more than 280 hectares and has been open for almost 160 years.
The group that runs it, Metropolitan Memorial Parks, says almost all of its eight cemeteries in NSW will be full by the early 2030s. It is trying to buy more land. Other city cemeteries expect the same problem within a decade.
NSW is looking at turning a golf club in Lidcombe into a cemetery. Local MP Lynda Voltz says the site floods.
π The Backstory
Cities grew around cemeteries that were once on the edge of town. Few new ones have been built, partly because people do not want to live next to them. Last year more than 188,000 deaths were registered in Australia.
About 75 to 85 per cent of Australians are cremated now. But Islam and Judaism do not allow cremation, so some families need grave space. Researchers also see more DIY memorials and cremated remains kept at home.
π― Why It Matters
Every family faces this. If grave space runs out, some people may not be able to follow their faith or culture.
Some cemeteries in Australia's big cities are running out of room for new graves. Rookwood in western Sydney is the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere. It covers more than 280 hectares and has been open for almost 160 years.
The group that runs it, Metropolitan Memorial Parks, says almost all of its eight cemeteries in NSW will be full by the early 2030s. It is trying to buy more land. Other city cemeteries expect the same problem within a decade.
NSW is looking at turning a golf club in Lidcombe into a cemetery. Local MP Lynda Voltz says the site floods.
Cities grew around cemeteries that were once on the edge of town. Few new ones have been built, partly because people do not want to live next to them. Last year more than 188,000 deaths were registered in Australia.
About 75 to 85 per cent of Australians are cremated now. But Islam and Judaism do not allow cremation, so some families need grave space. Researchers also see more DIY memorials and cremated remains kept at home.
Every family faces this. If grave space runs out, some people may not be able to follow their faith or culture.