A post-war grave plaque
Commemoration in Cemeteries or Crematoria
Commemoration at a cemetery or crematorium is the oldest form of post-war official commemoration. Across Australia there are around 95,328 official memorials, each marking the resting place of an eligible veteran.
The memorial inscription for eligible veterans is identical to that for war dead.
Commemoration at a cemetery or crematorium may be a good choice of official commemoration when it is important to the family that:
- all the above ground work and the plaque is provided and maintained in perpetuity
- the official commemoration is with the veteran's physical remains or
- the official commemoration includes a religious emblem and personal inscription (grave memorials only).
More information on this page:
See also:
A post-war grave in a civil cemetery
Inscription
Every memorial plaque is made from cast bronze and displays the veteran's:
- Service Badge
- initials and surname
- Service number (if applicable)
- rank and unit in which the veteran served (if the veteran served in more than one unit only one can be inscribed)
- date of death and age at death (age is optional for post-war commemorations).
However, only grave plaques (general or lawn cemeteries) may also include:
- a religious emblem and personal inscription.
Crematorium and Garden of Remembrance plaques do not include these.
See: Office of Australian War Graves Gardens of Remembrance
What is included
General cemetery
In a general cemetery, where a full monument is provided, OAWG provides and maintains grave kerbing, infill and a headstone with the bronze plaque. The kerbing and headstone are constructed of concrete with a rendered finish. Where a general cemetery does not allow the placement of kerbing, only a headstone and plaque is provided according to the individual cemetery regulations. In order to provide official commemoration the grave must be completely bare of any permanent headstone, plaque or kerbing.
Lawn cemetery
In lawn cemeteries, OAWG abides by the regulations of the cemetery involved. In all cases, where permitted, OAWG provides and maintains the bronze plaque. If required by the cemetery authorities, a headstone base is also provided.
Crematorium
At a crematorium, OAWG can arrange for the placement of ashes in a wall niche or a garden setting and provides and maintains the bronze plaque. Note that placing ashes in a garden setting may require part contribution by the family towards the cost.
Official commemoration at a crematorium is not possible if the ashes are to be scattered or retained by the family. A memorial in a Garden of Remembrance is the best option in this case.
Time
If a grave or lawn memorial is chosen, allow six months for its completion by OAWG. Cremation memorials are normally completed within four months.
Location
There are official commemorations at thousands of cemeteries and crematoria right across Australia. Provided OAWG can comply with any requirements or regulations a particular cemetery or crematoria may have, the choice is entirely up to the family.
Plaques now come with a number of slight size and other variations to cater for different specifications. If it is still not possible to fit in with a cemetery or crematorium, an alternative memorial in a Garden of Remembrance (separate from a private memorial with the veteran’s remains at the cemetery or crematorium) is the recommended option.
The frequency of maintenance can differ according to the location of the commemoration. Those at central and easily reached locations are maintained at least annually, while memorials in remote areas are visited every two years. However, if a commemoration is ever in need of urgent attention, it is seen to by OAWG as soon as possible.
If a cemetery is located in an extremely remote location or becomes abandoned or derelict or otherwise cannot be maintained at an acceptable standard, OAWG seeks assurances that the remains will not be disturbed and asks the approval of any next-of-kin to remove the grave headstone or plaque. An alternative memorial in a Garden of Remembrance is recommended in such a case.
Personal touches
The principles of official commemoration apply to all commemorations of Australian war dead and post-war dead. Equality and uniformity, regardless of rank, creed, civil or military status is at the heart of official commemoration. This is why the memorial inscriptions all contain the same details and why the headstones are of a similar style.
If the style of memorial which OAWG can provide does not satisfy the family's requirements, the veteran can be commemorated in one of our Garden of Remembrance and the family will be granted permission to use the appropriate service emblem on their private memorial at the resting place.
See: Principles of official commemoration
Tenure
Usually, in Australia, one fee is paid to a cemetery or crematorium at the time of purchase of the burial plot or niche. However, some cemetery and crematorium authorities sell only a limited renewable tenure, where, after an initial period (normally 25-50 years from the date of purchase) the lease needs to be renewed for the burial plot or niche to be kept by the family.
Please note renewing such tenure is the sole responsibility of the family. The family must arrange a further contract and pay for it when it falls due.
Neither OAWG nor the Commonwealth has any responsibility regarding renewing tenure for a burial plot or niche.
Tenure is only a potential issue with official commemorations post-war or conflict in civil cemeteries or crematoria. All sites of official commemorations for war dead and all Gardens of Remembrance are held outright, or the tenure is paid by OAWG.