New South Wales has a long and proud history of providing Crown land for public burial grounds.
Almost every village, town and city in New South Wales has a Crown reserve cemetery, many of which were set aside as part of the original settlement of the local area. Our cemeteries are rich in historic, religious, and cultural significance. They often represent unique landscapes blending the natural environment with the man-made. And, of course, they serve as dignified reminders of the lives, stories and memories of departed loved ones.
Crown Reserve Cemeteries are generally managed by community based trusts or local councils. Where a Reserve Trust is appointed, Crown reserve cemeteries are managed under the Crown Lands Act 1989 and its associated regulations.
Crown Lands works with councils, trusts and community groups to manage the past, present, and future needs of our public cemetery requirements.
To find out more about the cemetery reform you can download the following documents:
- Information sheet on Cemetery Reform (PDF 40 kb)
- NSW Government Delivers Historic Cemetery Reforms (PDF 200 kb)
