The ACT Government is building a new cemetery for the southside to meet the needs of our growing city. Southern Memorial Park aims to create a welcoming, inclusive and flexible space to allow different faith and cultural groups to practice their specific rituals.
Southern Memorial Park Masterplan
A revised masterplan was finalised in 2021 following consultation with the wider Canberra community. Southern Memorial Park is intended to be a public space that goes beyond its immediate objective and creates a space that families, friends and loved ones can gather, share memories and build community.
Key features of the masterplan include:
- a bush cemetery for the bush capital
- a high quality and welcoming visitor experience
- flexibility to enable different faith and cultural groups to practice their specific rituals
- interment in three broad categories: ‘traditional’ lawn and monumental burials, ‘natural’ burials which is an emerging trend and a memorial garden for ashes
- gardens with a focus on local native plants.
Where can I find more information?
Please visit YourSay Conversations to stay up to date with the latest developments, designs and community consultations as Southern Memorial Park moves through the planning and design phases.
Gungahlin is home to Canberra's largest cemetery, the ACT’s first publicly owned crematorium and viewing room, and the Stringybark Room for onsite funeral services.
Hall Cemetery is the ACT's oldest cemetery with the first recorded burial in 1907 and now home to very rare and endangered plants including the Tarengo Leek Orchid.
Woden Cemetery, opened in 1936 on Canberra's southside, is a beautiful park for the community and for people to honour and celebrate the life of loved ones.