City of Newcastle - Arrange a Funeral

Arrange a Funeral - Order for Interment

When you're ready to lay a loved one to rest, you'll need to complete an Order for Interment Application. This is a formal document that gives permission for someone to be buried or have their ashes placed in a cemetery plot, niche wall, or memorial garden.

There are two situations when you should use this form.

Use a pre-reserved plot

If you already have a pre-reserved plot or space, the Order for Interment confirms who will be interred there and allows the cemetery to schedule the service.
If this applies to you, skip to the application information section of this article.

Purchase a plot for immediate use

If you do not have a pre-reserved plot or space, you can purchase one as part of this application. This ensures that all arrangements can be made smoothly.
If this applies to you, read on to learn about our cemeteries and burial or memorial options.

Our Cemeteries

City of Newcastle manages three cemeteries

Wallsend Cemetery

Location and details

164 Sandgate Road, Birmingham Gardens. View in Google Maps.
Wallsend Cemetery map
The map depicts the sectional layout of the cemetery only.
Gates are open daily between dawn and dusk.
Open for new reservations.

Stockton Cemetery

Location and details

Fullerton Street, Stockton (access off Nelson Bay Road). View in Google Maps.
Stockton Cemetery map
The map depicts the sectional layout of the cemetery only.
Gates are open daily between dawn and dusk.
Open for new reservations.

Minmi Cemetery

Location and details

20 Minmi Road, Minmi. View in Google Maps.
Minmi Cemetery map
Map depicts the sectional layout of the cemetery only.
All areas are closed for new reservations. If it is safe to do so, burials can be still carried out in pre-reserved plots which have the capacity for further interments.

City of Newcastle does not manage

Notice - Temporary change to reservations - Muslim section of Wallsend Cemetery

Due to operational works, we are currently unable to offer future need burial reservations in the Muslim section of Wallsend Cemetery.

This arrangement is expected to remain in place until approximately November 2026.
The works underway are focused on improving accessibility and usability of the area, particularly during periods of significant rainfall, to ensure the site remains safe and suitable for families and visitors.
Pre reserved plots are not impacted, and burial services can continue as usual.

Burial and memorial information

Graves

Overview

Graves are traditional plots used for burials and ash interments. At City of Newcastle cemeteries, grave sites are arranged in sections that reflect different religious denominations as well as general areas for the wider community.

While some areas are labelled by denomination, there are no restrictions on who can be buried there, the labels are used for location and layout purposes only.

You can view the layout of each cemetery using our maps. If you have a preference, you can also request a grave near a named family member or in a specific area of the cemetery.

One person can purchase a maximum of two plots.

Availability

Available at Stockton and Wallsend cemeteries.

While Minmi Cemetery is closed for new reservations, if it is safe to do so, burials can be still carried out in pre-reserved plots which have the capacity for further burials or placement of ash remains.

Capacity

Graves plots are designed to accommodate 2 burials and 6 ash interments.

Grave types

Lawn beam burial and ash interment

City of Newcastle has developed sections within Wallsend and Stockton cemeteries which are of concrete beam construction for lawn burials. This has been developed where a monument or a grave surround is not required. Lawn beam burials are suitable for people who like the idea of a lawn setting but prefer a headstone only marking the grave site.

The Lawn Beam section has the added benefit of being maintained by City of Newcastle (mowing and whipper snipper).

Monumental burial and ash interment

These sections allow full monumental structures to be erected over the grave site normally constructed of granite, marble and concrete. Monuments must be built in line with Australian standards and City of Newcastle requirements.

We will only maintain the walkways around the grave areas.

Niche Wall

Overview

A niche wall is a specially designed wall for placement of cremated remains and a granite memorial plaque with inscription is installed on the wall. The niche wall also provides the opportunity for a 'memorial only' plaque for those who choose to scatter ashes or inter them elsewhere.

Availability

Available at Stockton and Wallsend cemeteries.

Capacity

Each niche can accommodate one person's ashes.

Memorial Garden

Butterfly Memorial

Application information

Plot reservation status

First, check whether the deceased had already purchased a burial plot or memorial space.

Deceased owned rights

Locate plot details

Find the cemetery name and plot information (e.g. portion, section, plot number, or reference number like a Burial Licence or Interment Rights Certificate).

Transfer of rights

If the deceased was the sole Rights Holder, the rights must be transferred to the Next of Kin, Executor of the Will, or authorised person.

This can be done as part of the Order for Interment Application.

New rights holder responsibilities

Provide proof of identity and approve all interments, headstones, memorials, and related work.

Joint/other Rights Holders

If you are a joint Rights Holder, the rights automatically transfer to you.

If others hold rights, you'll need their permission to proceed with the interment or have them submit the Order for Interment if they are the appropriate person.

Deceased to be interred in a family plot

Who can apply

Memorial selection

We offer a variety of options depending on which type of plot or space you purchase.

Niches & Memorial Garden

For ash interments in our Niche Walls or Memorial Garden, a standard plaque (and plinth for the Garden) is included in the interment fee.

You can personalise your memorial with:

Custom inscriptions (extra charges apply for more than 8 lines)
Emblems (e.g. hearts, flowers - additional fee)
Ceramic photo tiles (additional fee and may delay installation)

Plaque details:

Material: Black granite
Size: 200mm x 150mm
Text: Up to 8 lines included (white, silver, or gold lettering)
Gold lettering is only available at Wallsend due to durability

Optional emblems & photos:

Emblems reduce space for text
High-resolution images (min. 600dpi) required for photo tiles
War Veteran badges require approval from the Office of War Graves

Plinth colour options (Memorial Garden only):

Black noble
Grey emerald
Pearl blue
Pearl

Headstones & monuments

Service wishes

Application fees

Fees vary depending on the location you choose and the type of interment space you purchase.
No fee is charged at the time of applying. However, an invoice will be issued once the application has been processed, all required documents have been received, and the contract has been signed by all listed Rights Holders.
If you need a fee estimate prior to submitting your application, contact us on our Enquiry Page or view our Fees and Charges.

Before you begin

Decide the cemetery location and the plot or memorial space you want to purchase.
Decide who will hold the rights to the plot or memorial space. You can have up to three Rights Holders per plot. All Rights Holders must approve each burial or ash placement, and any memorial installations.
By law, one person can hold the rights to a maximum of two unused plots, including plots held jointly with someone else. Plots that have already been used (partly or fully) do not count toward this limit.
The details you provide in this application will be used to generate the contract you'll be asked to sign. Please make sure all information is accurate and complete before submitting.

You must provide

Permissions and evidence

To complete the application for interment, you must provide two types of permission:

Permission to Inter the Deceased - This must be obtained from the Next of Kin, Executor of the Will, or another authorised person.
Permission from All Rights Holders - Everyone listed as a Rights Holder for the chosen plot or space must give consent for the interment.

You'll need to submit documentation confirming both permissions with your application.

To verify that all required permissions have been obtained, you must also complete a Statutory Declaration in the presence of an authorised person, such as a Justice of the Peace.

Submit application

Create or sign into your account

As part of the application process, you'll be prompted to register or sign in to your account.
Your account makes it easy to submit applications and requests, track their progress, view outcomes, and make payments all in one place.
You can find more information and step-by-step guidance on creating a registered user account, as well as access to support services, on our My Services article.

Apply Now

Next steps

If you are purchasing a plot or memorial space as part of this application, a Cemetery Officer will be in contact with you to discuss the NSW Contract for Perpetual Interment Rights (plot purchase). This includes details about fees and services.

All Rights Holders must supply two forms of ID, including one photo ID and sign the contract to confirm they understand and agree to the terms.

Burial application

Ash interment application

You or your appointed Funeral Director (if they completed the form on your behalf), will receive an acknowledgement email.
The Cemetery Officer will review your application and send you a proof of the plaque design for your approval.
Once approved by you, we will send you an invoice.
Once the invoice has been paid the plaque will be produced.
You will be provided with contact details to arrange the transfer of the ashes.
Once we have the ashes and plaque, the ashes will be interred.
You will be informed once the interment has been completed.

Time frames

Proof of plaque design for an ashes interment can take up to 10 days to be produced.
An Order for Interment permit is typically issued within 24 hours of all documentation being received.

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Arrange a Funeral

Arrange a Funeral

Arrange a Funeral - Order for Interment

Use a pre-reserved plot

Purchase a plot for immediate use

Our Cemeteries

Wallsend Cemetery

Stockton Cemetery

Minmi Cemetery

City of Newcastle does not manage

Notice - Temporary change to reservations - Muslim section of Wallsend Cemetery

Burial and memorial information

Graves

Niche Wall

Memorial Garden

Butterfly Memorial

Application information

Plot reservation status

Who can apply

Memorial selection

Related articles

Application fees

Before you begin

You must provide

Permissions and evidence

Submit application

Create or sign into your account

Next steps

Burial application

Ash interment application

Time frames