Our cemeteries
Cessnock City Council manages ten General Cemeteries and two Lawn Cemeteries. Councils’ cemeteries date back to early pioneer days many of which contain a wealth of historical information relating to Cessnock’s rich history of winemaking.
A cemetery is a place of reflection, remembrance and to celebrate your loved one's life. Cessnock City Council Cemeteries offer a variety of Interment options at peaceful serene location throughout the region.
Our experienced Cemetery team are available to provide assistance in such a challenging, and often emotional time.
Our Cemetery team can assist you with:
- The process for obtaining an Interment site and Perpetual Interment Right;
- Interment options available for purchase;
- Memorial plaque options including assistance with wording and custom memorial plaques;
- Monument works applications and processes for Denominational Cemeteries;
- Assisting with applications and associated fees and charges.
For more information please contact:
Customer Relations on 4993 4100 and request to speak with Council's Cemetery Officer, or email: cemetery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
Memorial Interment Options
There are a number of memorial options available at our cemeteries which offer a choice for families to inter their loved ones:
Columbarium Walls (Available at specific Cemeteries only):
Columbarium walls are for the placement of cremated ashes. Ashes are placed into a suitable receptacle within a granite wall niche and a standard memorial plaque is placed securely over the niche at time of need. Council's Cemetery Officer can explain in more detail the placement process.
Memorial Ash Interment Gardens (Available at specific Cemeteries only):
Memorial gardens have been established within Gordon Williams Memorial Cemetery Aberdare, Kurri Kurri Cemetery and Greta Cemetery. Ashes are interred into Interment site within a suitable receptacle and a standard bronze memorial plaque is supplied at time of need. Council's memorial gardens include a mixture of formal and informal bushland garden settings some sites are suitable for family ash Interments.
Ash Scatter Gardens:
Council offers scattering of ashes at specific locations. Please discuss options with Council's Cemetery Officer.
Infant Remembrance Gardens:
Council has two locations specifically for remembrance where a plaque may be placed. Further details are available from Council's Cemetery Officer.
Lawn Interment Site (Available at specific Cemeteries only):
Lawn Interments create a modern and peaceful setting. Lawn Interment sites are suitable for two bodily Interments and up to four ash Interments. Memorial plaque options are available and may be discussed with Council's Cemetery Officer.
In order to maintain our Lawn Cemeteries and ensure such a quality, there are certain terms and conditions applicable when purchasing Lawn Interment sites. These will be explained to you at time of purchase.
Denominational/Monumental Interment Sites:
Denominational sections are available within a number of Cessnock cemeteries for bodily Interment or Interment of ashes. Interment sites generally will allow two bodily Interments and six ash Interments, however some sites may have restrictions. Further details on Interment and memorial arrangements may be discussed with Council's Cemetery Officer.
About our Cemeteries
Branxton Cemetery
Address: New England Highway, Branxton NSW 2335
Branxton Cemetery was established in the late 1840s and exhibits inscriptions dating from the early 1950s to present day. It's located at the western end of Dalwood Road adjacent to New England Highway.
Branxton Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 4MB)
Memorial types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Columbarium Walls
Cessnock Cemetery
Address: Corner of Wine Country Drive and Kerlew Street, Cessnock NSW 2325
Cessnock Cemetery is divided into denominational sections and contains monuments dating from the 1800s. Please note the cemetery is closed to reservations with the following exceptions:
- existing reservations
- reopening of existing burials
- ash Interments into existing plots
Cessnock Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 5MB)
Memorial Types:
Ellalong Cemetery
Address: Helena St, Ellalong NSW 2325
Ellalong Cemetery is located within the village of Ellalong, west of Cessnock.
Ellalong Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 5MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Columbarium Walls
Glenmore Cemetery
Address: Wine Country Drive, Rothbury NSW 2320
Glenmore Cemetery was established by members of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in this area c1867. The cemetery is now closed to new Interments and is Heritage listed.
Glenmore Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 4MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
Gordon Williams Memorial Cemetery
Address: Greta Street, Aberdare NSW 2325
The Gordon Williams Memorial Lawn Cemetery offers a diverse range of Interment options. There is a modern lawn section at the front of the cemetery which includes columbarium walls, formal memorial gardens, scatter gardens, family garden Interment sites and monumental sections. The monumental sections contain Interments dating from 1901. Many of the inscriptions record accidental deaths of mine employees at coal mines in the district.
Gordon Williams Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 7MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Lawn Section
- Ash Gardens
- Columbarium Walls
Greta Cemetery
Address: Evans Street, Greta NSW 2334
Greta Cemetery was established in the 1870s with inscriptions dating from 1879. The cemetery also has a dedicated area relating to war graves which is maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves.
Greta Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 5MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Columbarium Wall
- Memorial Gardens
Kurri Kurri Cemetery
Address: Hospital Road, Weston NSW 2326
Kurri Kurri Cemetery offers a variety of Interment and memorialisation options surrounded by a pleasant bushland setting.
Kurri Kurri Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 8MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Lawn Section
- Ash Gardens
- Scatter Gardens
- Bushland Garden
- Columbarium Walls
Millfield Cemetery
Address: Corner of Hayes Road and Crump Road, Millfield NSW 2325
Millfield Cemetery is located west of the village of Millfield, in a peaceful bushland setting.
Millfield Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 5MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
- Columbarium Wall
Rothbury Cemetery
Address: Wilderness Road, Rothbury NSW 2320
Rothbury Cemetery was established as an Anglican Cemetery and has inscriptions from as early as 1851, but those remaining from the first several decades are now small in numbers. A number of prominent vignerons are interred within Rothbury Cemetery.
Rothbury Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 4MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
Wollombi Cemetery
Address: Maitland Road, Wollombi NSW 2325
This historically significant cemetery contains memorials from the mid-1840s to the present day. It contains graves of early settlers, assigned servants, soldiers who fought against Napoleon, Irish political prisoners, distinguished churchman, medical men and at least one poet. Wollombi Cemetery is located to the east of the Wollombi Village.
Wollombi Cemetery Masterplan(PDF, 5MB)
Memorial Types:
- Denominational/Monumental
Interment Rights
Cemetery legislation requires all licenced Cemetery operators within NSW to complete a Perpetual Interment Right Contract when any Interment site is being purchased. Councils Cemetery officer or Councils authorised agent (Funeral Director), will assist with completion of application and explain terms and conditions, fees and charges.
Types of Perpetual Interment
Pre Need Perpetual Interment Right Contract (Reservation):
Pre-purchasing an Interment site allows you to decide on a location and can make an emotional and distressing time easier on your family.
Contact our Cemetery Officer to make an appointment to meet with you either at the cemetery or, in our office to discuss your preferred location and options available. Our Cemetery Officer will assist you in completing the Perpetual Interment Right Contract. Please note fees and charges are applicable.
At Need Perpetual Interment right contract (Immediate Use):
Immediate use Interment sites will be arranged with your funeral director at the time of need and they will liaise with us on your behalf. Your funeral director will assist with completing the Perpetual Interment Right Contract and all necessary application fees and charges prior to Interment. If you need further information or clarification, please contact Council's Cemetery Officer.
Interment Records
Cessnock City Council’s burial records were those received when taking over the management of the cemeteries in the 1960s. Control of public cemeteries was altered by the Local Government Amendment Act No. 52 (Control of Cemeteries) 1966 which appointed councils throughout New South Wales as Trustees of public cemeteries in their area.
Up to this time, local parishes/church trustees conducted burials. Council requested all records from churches, funeral directors, and gravediggers, however not all were received. Please note that all Council’s cemeteries have “unknown” and “unmarked’ graves. Burial records prior to the 1960s are incomplete making it difficult in some cases to be sure where a person has been interred.
For further information, please refer to Council's Interment Register.
Fees and Charges
Council Cemetery operations and Interment options are subject to Council Fees and Charges.
Alternatively, please contact Councils Cemetery officer via Customer Relations on 4993 4100 and request to speak with Council's Cemetery Officer or email: cemetery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.