We are extremely pleased to hear Police Commissioner Fuller announce this morning that people can have short visits to a gravesite to pay respects and mourn a loved one.

The safety of our visiting families and our staff has always been our highest priority. Due to the extensive media coverage, we would like to clarify that we, as cemetery operators, never wanted to prevent families from visiting their loved ones.

The measures taken to restrict visitation was to ensure compliance with the written advice received from NSW Police on 9th August 2021, stating:

“persons simply visiting gravesites is not an exemption and not permitted within the public health orders. The only persons who attend the cemetery should be those who work there, are those nominated as 1/10 attending a funeral, or persons using the green space to exercise in line with what is permitted in the orders.”

We thank the NSW Police and NSW Health for providing further clarification this morning. We are pleased to advise that visitors are permitted to attend cemeteries on compassionate grounds. Visitors are allowed to have short visits to a grave to pay their respects and mourn a loved one in a maximum of groups of two.

Masks must be worn at all times, and social distancing must be observed. All other restrictions and guidelines, including travelling within and from your LGA, are still in place.

Funerals remain capped at a maximum of 10 attendees.

Security will remain within the cemetery to monitor and assist the public in understanding local health order requirements. If restrictions are breached, the police will need to be notified.

Once again, we appreciate your continued support as we work with our authorities in following the restrictions currently in place.

We have been making changes to our services during COVID-19 to ensure we remain committed to keeping everyone safe while remembering the lives of their loved ones.

Stay at home rules apply if you have been in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour on or after Monday 21 June 2021

A maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral or memorial service. In addition to the 10 people attending the service, there may also be a person conducting the service and /or other people who are necessary for the preparation and conduct of the service.

We have implemented the following changes to our services to align with current restrictions as set by NSW Health:

• Burial and cremation services continue to be offered.
• If you are attending a service, please ensure that you do so in accordance with NSW Government restrictions and we urge you to follow advice regarding social distancing.
• Funeral directors are required to record the names and telephone numbers of all persons attending a service.
• If you are permitted on-site, you are also required to check-in using the Service NSW QR Code.
• Masks are compulsory in all indoor and outdoor settings.

We understand that these restrictions are very difficult for families in their time of grief. However, we ALL have a shared responsibility to comply with government public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

We have sought further clarification on the testing requirements for authorised workers working on our premises.

NSW Health have advised that any authorised workers who reside in the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area and who work on our premises must have had a COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours.

Testing requirements for those residing in Cumberland and Fairfield local government areas and travelling for work are only required fro Healthcare and Aged Care workers.

Below is a link to the updated NSW Health testing information.

View updated NSW Health Testing Information

We thank you for your understanding as we continue to adapt our services to be compliant and keep you, our staff and the public safe.

New Restrictions – Authorised workers onsite

As of Saturday 31st July 2021, any authorised workers who reside in the Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland and Fairfield local government areas and who work on our premises must have had a COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours.

This applies to funeral directors, their staff, contractors, Clergy and other contractors entering a Catholic Cemeteries site.

Before carrying out work on any of our sites, you will need to provide proof of residence (e.g., drivers licence) and a record of your COVID-19 test undertaken within the last 72 hours, in addition to checking into our site via the QR code app.

Failure to furnish the required documentation may result in refusal of entry. A copy of the suburbs affected is attached for your convenience.
We would appreciate your assistance in ensuring that your staff and any other associated persons, ie. Hire Care Drivers, and Clergy etc., are aware of these requirements in advance.

Mandatory Wearing of Masks

It is now mandatory for masks to be worn by all persons (unless they have an exemption) in all outdoor environments within Rookwood, Liverpool and Kemps Creek cemeteries. This is in additionl to requirement to wearing a mask in all indoor environments within the cemeteries.

Attendee numbers at Funerals

Due to a number of services occurring where attendee numbers have far exceeded the maximum number of 10 attendees as required under the Public Health Order, we have had no option than to implement the following:

1. If more than 10 attendees are present at a service, the funeral will be immediately stopped. The funeral will not proceed until the attendee numbers are rectified and the additional attendees have entirely left the area.
2. At our smaller locations, i.e Liverpool and Kemps Creek, security will be present at the entry gates. They will allow access for a maximum of 10 attendees into the cemetery for the service then the gates will be closed until the service finishes.
3. Failure to comply with the health order requirements or instructions provided by cemetery representatives will result in the Police being contacted, potentially incurring a fine for the attendees and funeral service provider.

We understand that these restrictions are very difficult for families in their time of grief. However, we ALL have a shared responsibility to comply with government public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your assistance in explaining these restrictions to your families and facilitating compliance with the orders.

We thank you for your understanding as we continue to adapt our services to be compliant and keep you, our staff and the public safe.

While the impacts of COVID-19 are continually evolving, we are working with the latest advice from the NSW Government to adapt our services and procedures to protect the health and wellbeing of our employees, partners and the community we serve.
We take this opportunity to provide an update on the measures Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria are taking to reduce the spread and risk of exposure.

1. Wherever practical, our office-based staff will predominantly work from home and continue to provide services via phone and email. Our offices will remain open with a minimum number of staff to facilitate funeral bookings, at need burial sales and chapel concierge services.
2. Access to our offices will be by appointment only. Our phone and online channels remain fully operational to assist with any enquiries.
3. All onsite construction work and non-essential Stone Masonry work, including installing headstones and inscriptions, will cease work until the 1st of August 2021. Urgent/emergency utility repairs and funeral related stonemason works, e.g. Slab removals, will continue as required.

Visitation at the Cemetery

Per current government regulations, you may visit our locations to attend a funeral, but restrictions apply. At this time, you may only visit our sites to attend a funeral or confirmed appointment. You may also visit for exercise if you live within 10 km from our sites.
We understand that this may be a difficult time for many. We have a shared responsibility to comply with government public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and continue to adapt our services to help keep our community safe. We thank you for your understanding as we continue to adapt our services to these changes.