Maintenance of Post-War Commemorations

All post-war commemorations are regularly maintained and will continue to be maintained in perpetuity by the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG).

OAWG Gardens of Remembrance throughout Australia are maintained on a continuous basis.

Official commemorations at cemeteries and crematoria in metropolitan and near country areas are normally maintained annually, with those in more remote areas maintained every two years. Should repairs or other work be needed outside the regular maintenance, these are attended to quickly.

If you become aware of an official commemoration that needs urgent attention, please contact us.

However, note that OAWG maintenance extends only to the:

official above-ground monumental work at a gravesite; and
official face plate on a crematorium or cemetery niche.

There is no maintenance of the burial plot or niche itself. That is a matter between the family and the cemetery or crematorium authorities.

Very occasionally, a cemetery may be abandoned or become derelict, or be in so remote a location that it becomes impossible to maintain a memorial at an acceptable standard. In such cases, 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 an OAWG Garden of Remembrance is then provided.

See: OAWG Gardens of Remembrance

Enquire

Please contact us directly with any maintenance enquiries.

Refurbishing plaques at an OAWG Garden of Remembrance

The Graves Maintenance Detail - early cartoon

Storm damage needing urgent attention at the ACT Garden of Remembrance