Cemeteries
Dubbo Regional Council understand that the loss of a loved one can be an incredibly challenging time. We are dedicated to providing and maintaining a peaceful resting place for your loved ones across our 22 cemeteries throughout the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government area. Our cemeteries offer a range of burial options to remember and cherish your loved ones. From traditional ground burials to cremation niches, we can cater to a diverse range of burial preferences.
Expand the sections below to find out more about Council services and support, then take a look at answers to frequently asked questions by downloading Cemeteries Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Sheet (PDF 141.6KB).
When Someone Passes Away
We understand that coping with the loss of someone close to you is a complex and challenging experience. Along with the emotions that come with grief, it can be difficult to know where to start or what practical steps to take. To assist you in arranging a funeral, we have provided a general guide below that outlines some of the necessary steps you may need to follow.
CONTACT A FUNERAL DIRECTOR
When someone passes away, one of the first things you need to do is to get in touch with a funeral director. The role of a funeral director is to facilitate all of the arrangements you make for your loved one. You can find a funeral director through an online search or by checking a phone book.
The funeral director will help you to navigate the process of burial or cremation, as well as assist you in conducting a funeral service. Once you have chosen a funeral director they will work with us on your behalf, and they will advise you when and if you need to talk to us directly.
However, Funeral Homes must be registered with us in order to perform services within our cemeteries. This registration process ensures all Funeral Homes have safe work practices and comply with all necessary requirements.
For your convenience, a list of registered Funeral Homes is being collated and will be added to this webpage when available.
CHOOSE BETWEEN BURIAL OR CREMATION
If your loved one has not left any specific instructions on whether they wished to be buried or cremated after their passing, the responsibility of making this decision usually falls upon the family or next of kin. However, you don't have to struggle through this decision alone. Your funeral director can provide you with helpful guidance and support throughout the process and explain the different options available to you.
Burials
Your funeral director will be responsible for contacting us to book a funeral. They will also guide you if you need to purchase a burial or ashes site. To enquire about a cemetery plot, submit an enquiry at Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit an Initial Plot Enquiry. For more information on how to purchase a burial or ashes plot, refer to the 'Purchase a Burial or Ashes Plot' section further down on this webpage.
Cremation
Dubbo Regional Council does not operate a crematorium. If cremation is your preference for your loved one, your funeral director can make the necessary arrangements. If you would like to place the ashes at one of our cemeteries you can enquire about an ashes burial site by submitting an enquiry at Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit an Ashes Interment Permit Application.
Cemetery Locations
We are responsible for managing a total of 22 cemeteries across the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area. These cemeteries are categorised as Active, which means they are available for new site purchases and burials, like the Wellington Lawn Cemetery; or Inactive, which are historic cemeteries where only existing plots can be used, like the Old Dubbo Cemetery. Cemeteries in New South Wales are regulated by Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW. Information about the relevant legislation can be found on their website; Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW.
Active cemeteries are available for new site purchases and burials. We currently manage a total of 9 active cemeteries.
Inactive or historic cemeteries are closed to new plot purchases and in some instances existing plot purchases can be used. We currently manage a total of 13 inactive (historic) cemeteries.
DUBBO LOCATIONS
Active Cemeteries
The New Dubbo Cemetery, situated on the Golden Highway in East Dubbo, is the regions primary cemetery and provides a peaceful and respectful final resting place for your loved ones. Surrounded by established greenery, this lawn cemetery offers traditional burial plots, and tranquil spots for ashes, allowing families to honour cherished memories in a thoughtful manner.
Dubbo Regional Council work with the Tubba-Gah People to manage the Tubba-Gah Aboriginal burial ground for ongoing use and the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Access to the Tubba-Gah Aboriginal Burial Ground is facilitated by the Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council. Information can be found on their website; Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Inactive (Historic) Cemeteries
WELLINGTON LOCATIONS
Active Cemeteries
Inactive (Historic) Cemeteries
VILLAGE LOCATIONS
Active Cemeteries
Inactive (Historic) Cemeteries
* No further interments will be available in this site, though existing reservations will be fulfilled.
Visiting our Cemeteries
We welcome all visitors to our cemeteries during daylight hours. Access to our cemeteries outside these hours is not permitted. Your safety is paramount, so we ask you to not approach machinery if maintenance or works are being undertaken. Please ensure constant supervision of children and exercise caution while walking in the cemetery. Graves may have shifted or deteriorated, and the lawn areas may be uneven to walk on. Guidelines for the placement of flowers and other tributes have been developed, view our document for Council Cemeteries; General Public Conduct Terms and Conditions (PDF 766.7KB).
Tributes
Council provides comprehensive guidance regarding the placement of tributes or adornments on graves; aimed at facilitating community access to cemeteries while maintaining a safe, orderly and well-kept environment for peaceful reflection.
Tree Planting
Shrubs, trees or small garden areas cannot be planted anywhere within the cemetery without approval from Council. If planted, they will be promptly removed from the lawn or beam sections within the cemeteries. The planting and maintenance of trees at our cemeteries are managed by our Greenspace Operations team. If you would like to request a tree to be planted you can submit an enquiry at Council's DRC&ME Portal.
Report or Request Maintenance
The grounds of all Council cemeteries are regularly maintained. Maintenance of the cemetery grounds includes mowing, whipper snipping, tree care, topping-up dirt levels in graves, lifting and levelling subsided plaques, cleaning-up old and unwanted flowers from gravesites.
If you wish to report a maintenance issue or make a request for grounds maintenance, please contact our Customer Experience team on 02 6801 4000 or by using the live chat feature to the bottom-right of your web browser.
Share Your Feedback
We would like to hear about your experience and your vision for Council's cemetery spaces, to assist in guiding the development and implementation of processes, policies and aspirational plans. Take our survey at https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/cemetery-improvement-project
Types of Burial Sites
Planning ahead can provide peace of mind and ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times. Our cemeteries offer a diverse range of burial options to cater to the needs of our community. Continue reading for information on burial options.
To make an initial enquiry about purchasing a cemetery plot, submit an enquiry at Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit an Initial Plot Enquiry.
To find out more about transferring or selling an exclusive right of interment, visit Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit an Transfer Exclusive Rights Application.
Traditional Burial Plot
A burial plot is a piece of land in a cemetery where someone's body is laid to rest after they pass away. It's a quiet, peaceful spot where loved ones can visit to remember and honour the person who has passed away. When purchasing a burial plot, you are issued with an “exclusive right of interment”. This means that the holder has permission to utilise a specific burial spot and that only the person or people who hold this right have the authority to decide who can be buried there.
Holding an exclusive right of interment does not mean that you own the land, it simply means you have permission to decide who is buried there.
Ashes Burial Plot
An ashes burial plot is a specific area in a cemetery where the cremated remains of a loved one are placed. It's a small, peaceful spot where these remains can be laid to rest. It is similar to a traditional burial plot, providing family and friends a place to visit and remember their loved ones. Similar to a traditional burial plot, purchasers are issued with an exclusive right of interment which does not mean that you own the land, it simply means you have permission to decide who is buried there.
Memorial (Columbarium) Wall
A memorial or columbarium wall is a special structure in a cemetery or memorial garden where urns containing the ashes of loved ones are placed. It's like a series of small compartments or niches, almost like tiny shelves, where these urns are stored. Each niche usually has a plaque or inscription with the name and dates of the person whose ashes are inside.
It's a peaceful and respectful place where family and friends can visit to feel close to their loved one and honour their memory. Similar to a traditional burial plot, purchasers are issued with an exclusive right of interment which does not mean that you own the land, it simply means you have permission to decide who is buried there.
Share Your Feedback
We would like to hear about your experience and your vision for Council's cemetery spaces, to assist in guiding the development and implementation of processes, policies and aspirational plans. Take our survey at https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/cemetery-improvement-project
Purchase a Burial or Ashes Plot
We understand that choosing a final resting place for your loved ones is a deeply personal decision. Once you have decided upon your preferred burial or ashes plot in one of our cemeteries, and you have completed an Initial Plot Enquiry, purchase your burial or ashes plot at Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit a Reservation to Purchase a Plot or Wall Niche Application.
Each gravesite at our active cemeteries can accommodate up to two interments and four ashes placements.
Share Your Feedback
We would like to hear about your experience and your vision for Council's cemetery spaces, to assist in guiding the development and implementation of processes, policies and aspirational plans. Take our survey at https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/cemetery-improvement-project
Information about Headstones, Monuments and Plaques
As you navigate this time of loss, we understand the importance of honouring your loved one with a lasting tribute. Families seeking to arrange a headstone, monument or plaque are encouraged to reach out to a certified Monumental Mason. They will handle the necessary paperwork and submit the required application to Council for any headstone or monument works.
However, Monumental Masons must be registered with us in order to work within our cemeteries. This registration process ensures all Monumental Masons and associated trades have safe work practices and comply with all necessary requirements.
For your convenience, a list of approved contractors is available here (PDF 423KB).
To view Council's criteria for construction of headstones, monuments and plaques, you can find more information here; Headstones, Monuments and Plaques Criteria (PDF 1.3MB).
Share Your Feedback
We would like to hear about your experience and your vision for Council's cemetery spaces, to assist in guiding the development and implementation of processes, policies and aspirational plans. Take our survey at https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/cemetery-improvement-project
Search our Cemeteries Records
Dubbo Regional Council maintains comprehensive Cemetery records and has maps of our cemeteries. The Information contained within these records may be useful if you are researching your family history or would like to check if a loved one is resting in one of our cemeteries. To conduct a cemeteries record search submit an enquiry at Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. When logged in, visit the dedicated Cemeteries tile to submit an Cemetery Records Enquiry.
There are also a number of external resources that you may find useful:
Associated Documents
The following documents may contain information that is beneficial to our community.
Our Cemetery Improvement Project
We are working with key stakeholders to create a cemetery management framework that aligns with legislation and promotes sustainable cemetery options for our community.
Our aim is to consult and obtain feedback from the community to guide the development and implementation of processes, policies and aspirational plans.
Our community engagement will foster a deeper appreciation and awareness of cemeteries as public spaces that interconnect history, culture, worship and the emotions of grief and celebration. The intent of our cemetery improvement project is to shape a future where our cemetery management reflects the shared values of diverse communities within the region.
View the project and share your feedback via our survey on YourSay at https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/cemetery-improvement-project
Last Edited: 02 Jul 2024