From the Guardian · · 1m
Hundreds of Australians buried in unmarked graves
Guardian Australia investigation finds 'persons without means' interred in bare patches between headstones at Rookwood cemetery, prompting NSW Health apology.
In brief
Guardian Australia investigation finds 'persons without means' interred in bare patches between headstones at Rookwood cemetery, prompting NSW Health apology. Guardian Australia found hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, buried in unmarked communal graves at Rookwood cemetery, prompting NSW Health to…
Guardian finds unmarked graves
Using family evidence, cemetery registries, and aerial and satellite imagery, Guardian Australia discovered persons without means buried in bare patches between walkways and old headstones at Rookwood cemetery.
Most graves lack markers
The vast majority of the graves do not have a plaque or tombstone. Hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, are buried in these unmarked communal graves.
NSW Health apologises, minister signals change
The investigation prompted an immediate apology from NSW Health, which oversees the process. State health minister Ryan Park has signalled he wants to end the use of unmarked communal graves.
The headline
Guardian Australia found hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, buried in unmarked communal graves at Rookwood cemetery, prompting NSW Health to apologise and the state health minister to signal ending the practice.
