Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Rookwood, New South Wales

Date: 1921 [unknown]
Location: Memorial Avenue, Rookwood, New South Wales, Australia
Surnames/tags: Cemetery New_South_Wales

General Information

Cemetery name: Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium

Part of: Rookwood Necropolis

Address: Memorial Avenue, Rookwood, New South Wales, Australia

GPS Coordinates: -33.87730190770885, 151.0597603890773 OpenStreetMap Google Maps

History

Opening in 1925, Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium is the oldest and longest-serving crematorium in Australia.

The Cremation Society of New South Wales was formed in 1908 to promote cremations and to assist in the development of crematoria across the state. In 1916, the New South Wales Cremation Company Ltd was created. This was a commercial body designed to independently raise the funds to plan and build crematoria, freeing such developments from being dependent on state government funding.

The outbreak of World War I put on hold the plans of both the Cremation Society of New South Wales and the New South Wales Cremation Company Ltd. However, activity to promote cremations and to build crematoria recommenced shortly after the conclusion of the War.

Since the first cremation in 1925, Rookwood Memorial Gardens has served thousands of families and its social and architectural heritage value has been officially recognised. Rookwood Memorial Gardens' spectacular landscaping and grounds have been developing since the beginning and we regularly receive positive feedback on our established gardens from families and visitors.

Architect Frank Bloomfield

Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium was designed by Frank l'Anson Bloomfield. Frank was born on 15 July 1879, the fourth child and eldest son of Clement Bloomfield and Amelia l'Anson.^[1]

More Information

• Australian Cemetery Index
• Find a Grave
• Rookwood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

References

1. ↑ Excerpt from Rookwood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium - Our History

• This is part of the Australian Cemeteries Project.