The Burial Process

Pinegrove Memorial Park is a permanent place of remembrance. We provide a tranquil and calm space for family and friends to come together to celebrate and honour their loved ones.

Burial is a time-honoured method of committing a loved one’s remains.

At Pinegrove Memorial Park we always:

• Abide by government regulations
• Adhere to Disposal of the Deceased - NSW Health and the Public Health Regulation 2012 (Extract ss49-93)
• Follow our own strict policies, procedures and code of behaviour
• Provide dignity for all burials within our grounds

Before selecting a burial location we recommend you check with family members to determine if a burial plot has been prearranged. More information on prearranging memorials is available.

If a burial site hasn't been arranged in advance, your funeral director will recommend a location that meets your family’s needs. Your funeral director will usually make an appointment for you to visit us and tour our grounds. This will assist you to select an appropriate site, to view and discuss your options, and to have your questions answered.

Each burial requires a Burial Confirmation Form, which your funeral director will complete for you, or assist you to complete. It is important that we receive this form before the burial is to take place as we cannot proceed without it. The form will also provide us with specific directions about the burial process so that we can meet cultural or religious requirements that are important to your family. Other important information contained in the form includes the deceased’s height and weight, and the coffin’s specifications which are needed in order to prepare the gravesite for use.

The main task to be performed before the burial is the preparation of the gravesite. The selected site, whether prearranged or just chosen, is marked out and checked by staff to ensure accuracy.

After the grave has been dug, its dimensions are checked against the information provided in the Burial Confirmation Form to ensure it is correct, and that any cultural or religious requirements you requested have been provided for.

At the time of burial, a verification of the deceased is performed. This is done by checking the funeral directors’ records that travel with the deceased.

The coffin will then be placed on a lowering device next to the graveside. Some families will hold a service at the graveside, while others do not.

Flowers can be placed on the coffin if requested, and single flowers can be dropped into the open grave. The coffin is then lowered into the grave using the lowering device.

After family and friends have departed, the burial staff will collect the lowering device and other equipment. The site is then ready for filling with soil. Once filled in, the burial staff compact the soil and prepare the site for returfing. The turf will be placed on top of the gravesite as soon as the ground has settled.

Headstone or plaques often take time to be manufactured and delivered. When the memorial has been completed we will advise you of this.