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Last Updated: Friday, 09 August 2024 15:41

Organising a burial or memorial

Planning a funeral and deciding on the final resting place for a friend or family member can be a very challenging time. We’re here to work with you and your funeral director to help organise an appropriate burial or memorialisation for your loved one.

Where to start

The first step is to engage a funeral director who will help you with arranging the funeral and deciding on burial or cremation options to suit your individual needs.

Your funeral director will help with:

  • assisting you with burial or cremation options
  • organising a religious service or celebrant
  • finding out if interment can take place in an existing grave
  • liaising with cemetery staff to make all the necessary arrangements for the use of a new interment site or re-using an existing site
  • completing and submitting Council application forms.

Once we receive an application from your funeral director, we will issue an interment permit and keep a record of the deceased’s details and site number.

Our cemetery grounds persons arrange for the digging of the grave and where possible, for facilities to be available at the funeral service such as a grave lowering device, temporary shelter, chairs and so on.

Memorial plaques can also be arranged through Council, along with booking the Southern Reflection Room at Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery for funerals or functions. For more details on these services, see below.

Memorial plaque options

Memorial choices are endless. When selecting a memorial plaque, you have the option to make your own arrangements with an external supplier of your choice or we can assist with purchasing, supplying and affixing of a standard or custom designed plaque through Council.

Keep reading below for more information on each of these options, required approvals and to access the relevant application forms.

+ - Purchasing a plaque from us Click to collapse

We have a wide range of quality and affordable memorial plaques available for purchase and are happy to provide a quotation for the supply and installation of a standard or custom designed memorial plaque.

To order a plaque, take a look at our standard design options in the Cemetery - Memorial plaque designs (PDF for print) and complete the online application form linked below. For a personalised design and quote, contact us so we can assist you with your options.

Please note, while we endeavour to maintain our cemeteries to the highest possible standards, families are responsible for repairs to headstones/plaques resulting from wear and tear over time. If you would like to install a new plaque, headstone or monument on an existing grave, an application and relevant fee is required to be lodged with us by the legal representative.

Application form for supply of a memorial plaque and permit to modify an interment site: Cemetery - Supply of a memorial plaque application form and permit to modify an interment site (online)

+ - Purchasing a plaque from a stonemason Click to collapse

Alternatively, you may make your own arrangements for the purchase and install of a plaque with a stonemason of your choice.

To maintain the correct style and placement of externally supplied products to a specific area within our facilities, prior approval must be obtained with lodgement of the relevant permit fee paid at the time of application.

Should you choose this option, please note we cannot be held responsible for the quality of goods or workmanship of items purchased and installed by external suppliers.

Contact us to find out more and apply for the supply of a memorial plaque by a stonemason.

 

Booking the Southern Reflection Room at Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery

Located within the historic grounds of the Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery, the Southern Reflection Room is a versatile reflection space available for funerals, catering for functions for up to 50 people.

Prices can be found in the Cemeteries - Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery Southern Reflection Room brochure.

Room hire includes use of the Southern Reflection Room for up to a period of two hours. Hire does not include service staff. Please contact cemetery staff for extended booking times and fees.

Please note:

  • Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery is not a licenced venue and alcohol consumption is not permitted within the grounds of the cemetery
  • special dietary requirements are welcome with 48 hours’ notice
  • guests are not permitted to bring in homemade or externally provided food
  • additional charges apply for weekends and public holidays.

Minimum catering for 20 guests.

 

Maintenance of cemetery grounds

We are responsible for maintaining the cemetery grounds at Council owned cemeteries. This includes mowing of the cemetery and repairing sunken graves.

To report any issues please contact us with the following information:

  • cemetery name
  • plot number or name of person interred
  • details of the grave.

 

Cemetery fees and prepayment plans

View cemetery fees and prepayment plan options.

 

Counselling and support

If you feel that you may need some extra support at this time, visit our counselling and support page for a range of free bereavement and crisis counselling and support services. 

 

Related documents

Cemeteries - Terms and conditions (PDF for print)

Cemeteries - Memorial plaque designs (PDF for print)

Cemeteries - Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery Southern Reflection Room brochure