The City of Newcastle manages three cemeteries, Wallsend, Stockton and Minmi.

Wallsend Cemetery (Sandgate Road, Wallsend)

• Occupies an area of approx. 66,000 sq.m. (6.6ha)
• The first known interment was that of Robert Elliott in June 1896 in the Church of England Portion.
• Records indicate there have been over 5,000 interments at Wallsend Cemetery.

Stockton Cemetery (Fullerton Street, Stockton)

Occupies an area of approx. 116,000 sq.m. (11.6ha)

The first known interment was that of John Taylor in June 1890 in the Church of England Portion.

Records indicate there have been over 4,000 interments at Stockton Cemetery.

Minmi Cemetery (Minmi Road, Minmi)

Council was given control of Minmi Cemetery in 1990 when purchasing a land deal that included Summerhill Waste Management Centre.

• Occupies an area of approx. 11,000 sq.m. (1.1ha).
• The first recorded interment at Minmi Cemetery was that of a baby boy Henry Jacob Estel who passed 11 November 1859 aged 6 days.
• It is estimated there are approximately 2,300 interments at Minmi Cemetery.

The cemeteries do not have caretakers on site but arrangements can be made for cemetery staff to meet people on site if required.

Sandgate Cemetery

There is also a large cemetery at Sandgate which is operated by a privately appointed trust. Sandgate Cemetery is located at 116 Maitland Road, Sandgate and can be contacted on 02 4968 3602.

History

The records for both Wallsend and Stockton Cemetery held by Council are those received when taking over the management of the cemeteries on 1 October 1967. Control of public cemeteries was altered by the Local Government Amendment Act No. 52 (Control of Cemeteries) which appointed Councils throughout New South Wales as Trustees of public cemeteries in their area. At that time, Council requested all records held on behalf of the cemetery be handed over, not all were received. At this time, Council created New sections; ie the numbers in these sections are always preceded with “New”.

The records of the Trust prior to 1967 are incomplete. As well, there are problems associated with incorrect interments, persons purchasing allotments with prior burials contained therein, incorrect numbering and placing of headstones, exhumations and re-burials making it difficult in some cases to be sure where a person has been interred.

Right of Burial

A Right of Burial is an “exclusive” right granted by Council (or its predecessors) for use of a burial site.

Wallsend and Stockton Cemetery have Rights of Burials (plots) available for reservation and immediate use. Plots are available in denominations (religious) or general (non-denominational) portions. Rights of Burial are not available at Minmi Cemetery.

A Right of Burial gives that person (the Grantee), or any other person they nominate, the right to be buried in that portion of land (plot) over which they are registered owner of the exclusive Right of Burial.

Should the deceased be the Grantee, then the Right of Burial becomes part of his or her estate, to be administered by his or her Executor. If there is no Executor, then the Next of Kin is the “major beneficiary” and may authorise the opening of the grave for the interment of the deceased.

There is no entitlement to any “land”. The holder of the Right of Burial has the sole authority to determine who can be interred (buried) in the plot and to allow monumental works to be placed on the site.

Council can lodge a reservation and send an application directly to purchase a Right of Burial or provide a map of the cemetery and a list of available Right of Burials (plots). When Council receives the completed application and full payment, a Right of Burial will be issued to the Grantee.

Right of Burials may be transferred upon request to Council and payment of the appropriate charge fixed by Council.

Burial Permit

A Burial Permit is required prior to any interment (burial) in Council managed cemeteries. A Burial Permit application must be completed and signed by the Right of Burial owner (Grantee) and lodged by the Funeral Director prior to the funeral / burial.

A Burial Permit is also required for interment or scattering of ashes on the plot.

Monumental Work

All monumental works carried out in Council managed cemeteries are subject to prior approval. Council will only grant a monumental permit with the consent of the Grantee of the Right of Burial. No approval will be granted for placement of monumental work on graves less than 3 months old. This is to allow the ground sufficient time to settle to avoid collapse of the monumental work.

Monumental works are to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Australian Standard Headstones and Cemetery Monuments AS 4204 – 1994, Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 as a minimum. The plans and specifications are to be provided on the prescribed form and the appropriate fee accompanying that form.

All graves and monuments fifty (50) years and older are subject to the Heritage Act. It is the responsibility of the applicant / grantee to ensure that the proposed works is consistent with the requirements of this Act.

Contact a reputable monumental mason for quotes and specifications.

Council reserves the right to remove any unauthorised works, plantings and unapproved, excessive or incorrectly located flower containers and ornaments.

The future care, maintenance, preservation, conservation or restoration of the construction (headstone and surrounds) erected or placed over the grave is the responsibility of the family or estate of the deceased.

Burial History Requests

It should be noted that cemeteries have unknown burials, unmarked graves and many of our older records are incomplete. Parishes and church trustees conducted burials in cemetery sites prior to 1967.

Council may be able to provide details of deceased relatives or friends who are buried in Council Cemeteries. Minimum requirement for history search being Christian and Family name.

If you require historic information on several family members or friends, please email or write requesting information including all details and we can conduct a search and reply. Please note a prescribed fee may be charged for the retrieval of this information.

Alternately, Council's Library has an extensive family history research section (Local Studies) or the Newcastle Family History Society have publicised burials for Wallsend, Stockton and Minmi Cemeteries in recent years.

Further information

Phone: 02 4974 5033

Email: mail@ncc.nsw.gov.au