Cemeteries

All cemetery interments include a purchase or reservation cost, depending on the type of site:

• Grave sites - Purchase or reserve a burial plot
• Niches - Purchase or reserve a space in a garden or columbarium wall for ashes

There is also an application fee for the erection of a monument, structure, or the installation of a plaque.

Cemetery fees and charges 2025/2026(PDF, 346KB)

When you purchase a plot or niche, you do not own the land. Instead, you become the burial rights holder, giving you exclusive authority over who can be buried or have ashes interred at the site. Plots and niches can be transferred or bequeathed, but cannot be sold privately. An application form and fee are required for all transfers, and Council must approve them.

What is a plot?

A plot is a grave used for the burial of a body. It is sometimes referred to as a site or a position.

What is a niche?

A niche is used for the interment of ashes. Niches are typically located in a columbarium wall or in a designated garden area.

Can I reserve or buy a plot or niche?

Yes, you can reserve or pre-purchase both. The purchase fee gives you burial rights for the site, but it does not include the cost of burial or interment.

Do I own the land if I purchase a plot or niche?

No. The land remains under the care and control of Council. When you purchase a site, you become the 'Burial Rghts Holder' which gives you exclusive authority to approve any burials or ash interments in that site.

Can I choose the location of my site?

Yes, subject to availability. Council staff can help guide you through available options.

Can my partner be placed in the same site as me?

Yes. Most burial plots are designed to accommodate two burials. It’s a good idea to plan this at the time of purchase. Columbarium wall niches are for a single interment only, though some garden niches can hold multiple ash placements.

Can ashes go into a grave?

Yes. Ashes can be interred in most grave sites, with the permission of the burial rights holder.

Can I be buried in an old grave?

In many cases, yes. However, each site needs to be assessed, as some may not be suitable for additional burials. Ashes can also be interred in existing graves, again with the burial rights holder's approval.

Before installing a monument, headstone, or plaque, Council approval is required.

Only the burial rights holder or their nominated representative can apply, with a fee applicable. If someone else applies, they must submit a statutory declaration explaining their authority. Council has guidelines regarding the size, type, and placement of monuments or plaques depending on the cemetery section.

Please submit an application form new plaque or monument(PDF, 833KB) along with the prescribed fee.

Once you have received the approval, a notice of intent form(PDF, 987KB) must be completed and sent to the Cemetery Office at least 48 hours prior to the proposed construction commencement date.

Many grave sites can accommodate more than one burial or ashes interment, depending on site layout and condition. Burial plots typically allow two burials; columbarium wall niches allow only single ashes interments, while some garden niches may accommodate two ashes interments.

Each site must be assessed for suitability, and all interments require approval from the burial rights holder.

To keep cemeteries safe, respectful, and accessible, please observe these guidelines:

Allowed in lawn and beam sections:

• Fresh flowers
• Up to three standard plastic vases per grave
• Free plastic vases are available at dispensing points, which should be returned after use

Not allowed:

• Trees, shrubs, or other plantings
• Wooden crosses, large ornaments, glass or ceramic items
• Items placed on the grassed area of a grave (items must remain on the concrete beam)

For new graves, non-approved items may remain for up to six months after burial. After that, only permitted vases may stay.

Council inspects cemeteries fortnightly to remove old or weathered flowers and return vases to stands for reuse.

You can pre-purchase or reserve plots and niches at selected cemeteries, subject to availability. This helps secure your preferred location and provides peace of mind.

If you want side-by-side plots for yourself and a partner, it’s best to buy them at the same time, as availability changes over time.

Please note, the purchase fee covers the right to use the site but does not include burial or plaque costs.

Council provides a range of cemetery-related services including:

• Burial and ashes placement bookings
• Searches to locate graves and family burial records
• Plaques for ashes interments in columbarium walls and garden niches

Council has developed a Cemeteries Council Policy(PDF, 335KB) to provide a framework for the operation of local government cemeteries operated by Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Looking after your loved one’s memorial is a meaningful way to show respect. At the same time, these monuments are delicate and need careful handling to stay beautiful for years to come.

Before you begin any cleaning or maintenance, please keep in mind:

Always wait until cemetery staff have clearly marked the site before starting any work.

Weekend work on monuments isn’t allowed unless you’ve got prior approval from the cemetery team.

Cleaning a grave helps maintain its dignity and keeps it looking respectful for years to come. Using harsh methods can unintentionally damage the stone, so a gentle approach helps preserve the memorial’s beauty and character without causing harm.

General cleaning tips

• Use water-based solutions only.
• Only use soft bristle brushes.
• Pre-wet the surface before cleaning. This helps draw out any hidden substances as the stone dries.
• Clean from the bottom up and rinse constantly to avoid streaking.
• Avoid soaps, organic detergents, and general-purpose cleaners. These can encourage algae, moss, and lichen growth.
• Do not use strong bleach (or products like Exit Mould).
• Do not scrape or scrub the stone. Allow stains to fade naturally over time.

Recommended cleaning products

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (Available from swimming pool suppliers). Use a maximum of 0.5mL per litre of water and let it sit (or “dwell”) until almost dry before rinsing
• Organic mould control solutions (For heavy mould or stains from trees)
• Products like 'Zero Moss & Algae Gun' or 'Wet and Forget Moss and Mould Remover'
• Non-ionic detergents such as Kodak Photo-Flo, 1mL per litre of water

A few important reminders

After treatment, stains will gradually fade. A gentle brush with water a few weeks later may help.
Graves should stay clean for at least 12 months. Please avoid over-cleaning.
If needed, repeat the process after a week, but never exceed recommended product concentrations.

Always test your cleaning method in a small, hidden area and check results after a week.
Avoid getting cleaning products on nearby graves.

If you have any questions about grave cleaning, please contact the Cemeteries Supervisor: cemeteries@frasercoast.qld.gov.au