Cremation services have risen in popularity in the past decade due to cost, reducing people’s carbon footprint and the wide range of options available for the interment of ashes. Research suggests the practice of cremation dates back at least 17,000 years ago. Today it is more common than traditional burials in Australia.
Our modern technology and practices at Gungahlin Crematorium ensure the deceased are always handled with care and respect. The identification of one's remains is guaranteed from the time their body is delivered to the crematorium by the funeral director through to the interment of ashes.
Find out more about the cremation process
Visit the Gungahlin Crematorium for more information on our crematorium and discover why more Canberrans are choosing to be cremated.
Returning ashes
Loved ones may collect ashes 48 hours after the cremation from the Gungahlin Cemetery office.
Ashes can be returned to the family or friends for scattering in a place of personal significance, like the town of birth or near other relatives buried outside the ACT. We encourage you to contact your local council if the remains are to be scattered in a public place as permission is normally required. If it is on private land you must obtain permission from the land owner.
Burying ashes
Cremated remains can be interred in a designated area in Woden, Hall and Gungahlin cemeteries as outlined below. They may also be interred in an existing family grave or scattered in a dedicated area at Gungahlin Cemetery.
Remembering your child with compassion and care
At Canberra Memorial Parks, we understand that memorialising your child is an important part of grieving and saying your goodbyes. At Woden and Gungahlin cemeteries we have dedicated gardens for families to help you honour and celebrate your child’s life.
Memorial Gardens
A Memorial Garden allotment is an ashes grave, with memorialisation by way of a plaque installed on the kerb bordering the Memorial Garden. Only one set of ashes can be interred in a Memorial Garden allotment. See forms and publications for information on fees and applications.
Memorial Rock
Locations: Gungahlin and Woden
A memorial rock allotment is an ashes grave with a plaque installed on a rock in a garden bed. Standard memorial rocks have provision for two sets of ashes and two memorial plaques. A family memorial rock can accommodate up to four sets of ashes and four memorial plaques. See forms and publications for information on fees and applications.
Tree
Locations: Gungahlin and Woden
A tree allotment is an ashes grave with a large plaque installed flush to a granite block. The block is positioned at the base of a tree and inset into the ground. Tree allotments have two purchase options – an individual tree or a shared tree. A shared tree option provides for a family to have up to six ashes interments and plaques, with the first included in the cost of the allotment. The individual tree allotment is for one ashes interment and one plaque on a granite block.
See forms and publications for information on fees and applications.
Babies Rose Gardens
Locations: Gungahlin and Woden
Babies Rose Garden allotments are designated areas for babies born before 20 weeks gestation. Families may memorialise their child with a plaque placed on the rock wall which borders the rose garden. A burial or the interment of ashes can take place seven days of the week. A memorial plaque is included in the cost of an allotment. See forms and publications for information on fees and applications.
Children's Gardens
Locations: Gungahlin and Woden
The Children’s Garden is a designated area for children up to and including the age of 12. A Children’s Garden allotment is a lawn grave, with memorialisation by way of a small headstone and/ or plaque on the concrete beam at the head of the grave. A burial or the interment of ashes can take place seven days of the week. See forms and publications for information on fees and applications.
Book an appointment
Our customer service team is available to show you around our parks or to help you understand our services based on your specific needs, cultural and religious customs and environmental or financial considerations.