New South Wales has by far the most crematoriums of any Australian state.

The vast majority are privately owned, with many of these operated and controlled by InvoCare – Australia’s largest funeral operator.

There are a small number of publicly run crematoriums in New South Wales, however they are few and far between.

Crematoriums in New South Wales

Crematorium Region Sector
Glenmorus Gardens Albury LG
Morningside Crematorium Albury Private
Avondale Crematorium Albury Albury Private
Piddingtons Funeral Home & Crematorium Armidale Private
Avondale Crematorium Alstonville Ballina Private
Bathurst Cemetery & Crematorium Bathurst Private
Clavering Park Memorial Gardens & Crematorium Bega Valley Private
Castlebrook Memorial Park Blacktown Private
Pinegrove Memorial Park Blacktown Private
Leura Memorial Gardens Crematorium Blue Mountains Private
Broken Hill Crematorium Broken Hill Private
Macarthur Grange Crematorium Camden Private
Mackay Family Crematorium Central Coast Private
Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park Central Coast Private
St Patrick’s of Nulkaba Pty Ltd Cessnock Private
Riverview Crematorium Clarence Valley Private
Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Coffs Harbour Private
Coffs Harbour Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Coffs Harbour Private
Western Sydney Crematorium Cumberland Crown
Rookwood Memorial Gardens Cumberland Private
Western Districts Memorial Park Dubbo Regional Private
Dubbo City Crematorium Dubbo Regional Private
Broulee Memorial Gardens & Crematorium Eurobodalla Private
Lake Mulwala Crematorium Federation Private
Michael Hanley’s Family Funeral Home Forbes Private
Craig’s Hill Columbarium Goulburn Mulwaree Private
Lightfoot & Co Gunnedah Gunnedah Private
Sapphire City Crematorium Inverell Private
Chain O Ponds Memorial Park Kempsey Private
Lake Macquarie Memorial Park Lake Macquarie Private
Lismore Memorial Gardens Lismore LG
Forest Lawn Memorial Park Liverpool Private
Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens Mid-Coast Private
Murray Valley Cremations Murray River Private
Golden Rivers Crematorium Murray River Private
Newcastle Memorial Park Newcastle Private
Canobolas Gardens Crematorium Orange Private
Australian Cremation Services Penrith Private
Innes Gardens Memorial Park Port Macquarie-Hasting LG
Port Macquarie Crematorium Port Macquarie-Hasting Private
Hunter Crematorium Port Stephens Private
Port Stephens Cremations Port Stephens Private
Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park (Botany Cemetery) Randwick Crown
Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium Ryde Crown
Northern Suburbs Memorial Park Ryde Private
Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens & Lawn Cemetery Shoalhaven LG
Milton Ulladulla Cremation Services Shoalhaven Private
Woronora General Cemetery & Crematorium Sutherland Crown
H N Olsen Funerals Pty Ltd Sutherland Private
Lincoln Grove Memorial Gardens & Crematorium Tamworth Private
Tweed Valley Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Tweed LG
Tweed Heads Memorial Gardens Tweed Private
Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens Tweed Private
Wagga Wagga Lawn Cemetery & Crematorium Wagga Wagga LG
Coomealla Gardens Crematorium Wentworth LG
Lakeside Memorial Park Wollongong Private
Mountain View Crematorium Wollongong Private

Scattering / memorialising ashes in New South Wales

What can be done with the ashes once the applicant collects them?

The person who lodges an application for a cremation, often a relative or the executor of the estate, arranges to pick up the ashes.

Once the applicant has the ashes, they can be:

  • buried in a cemetery in a small plot or placement in columbarium or niche wall
  • preserved in a decorative urn and kept at home or some other favourite spot
  • scattered on private land, beach, river, public parks and sea or at a place that was significant to the deceased and families. It also depends on the personal wishes of the deceased.

Do you need any special permission to scatter the ashes?

It is important to get permission from the owners of private land or the Trust of Parks and reserves, or from local council for parks, beaches and playing fields as scattering of ashes may contravene the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in terms of air or water pollution. Councils and other Government Authorities will set a time and place when these activities can be undertaken and can impose other conditions.

Disposal of ashes without consent from appropriate authorities may result in legal proceedings to be initiated against the person disposing the ashes.

Scattering at sea by boat

You must get permission from the master of the vessel or boat before scattering the ashes. Vessels can be chartered specifically to scatter ashes. Some precautions should be observed:

  • Pre loosen the lid of the ashes container or pre-drill large holes to make it easier to remove the lid or scatter the ashes when on board.
  • Be aware of the wind direction and scatter close to the water
  • Never just throw the ashes container overboard as it will float. Always empty the container into the sea.

Further information

NSW Public Health: 1300 066 055

Of course, you can always choose to keep your loved ones at home with you. As we all know – there’s no place like home.

Let us help you say your preferred goodbye, whether you prefer a traditional funeral service or a memorial-style gathering following a direct cremation, we are here to support you. If you are unsure about which option would be most suitable for you and your family, our team are readily available to assist you with just a phone call.

To arrange a cremation or funeral service, call 1800 071 176 or visit our Funeral Services page here.

Learn more about Bare Funeral Services