Burials

Our standard days for burials are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

We may be able to accommodate weekends, public holidays, or times outside those below at an additional cost. Please contact us to discuss your preferred arrangement.

Our hours differ for ashes interments.

Grave digging and refill

Our staff will dig the grave on either the day before or the morning of the burial.

We return after the service to refill the grave.

Monument re-opening

For burials in graves that already have a monument, the ledger or cover will need to be removed to access the grave.

Council staff can remove and reinstall the ledger, but are not fully trained and equipped professionals. We take all care in handling ledgers, but do not accept responsibility for damage during the re-opening.

We can arrange for a monumental mason to re-open the monument, at an additional cost.

Wet weather

Mansfield, Bonnie Doon, and Jamieson cemeteries have small permanent shelters on-site.

We have grave-shoring equipment, and a pump to remove excess water from the grave. If it's wet on the day, we place straw at the bottom of the grave to hide the remaining water. We also place boards around the grave for attendees to stand on, reinforcing the ground and giving protection from mud.

Lowering device

We don't have equipment for lowering coffins and caskets.  Directors are expected to provide a lowering device.

Local director McCormack Funerals may be able to hire out their lowering device to you for a fee. Phone 1800 080 909 to enquire.

Graveside shelter

We don't have temporary shelter that can be placed immediately around the grave.

Hand digging may be required where surrounding monuments prevent access to the grave with machinery.

We will advise you in advance if hand digging is required, and an additional fee will be charged.