Choose to remember your loved ones in a tranquil and prayerful memorial garden on the grounds of St. Luke's parish.
Interment of Ashes
You can choose to have your loved one’s ashes interred at the Garden. Each plot allows for the interment of ashes for two family members.
• The cost of the plot (2 sets of ashes) is $2800 + GST which includes the memorial plaque and burial of the urn.
• The size of the urn is no bigger than Length is 260mm x Width 145mm x Height 105mm.
• Families may request in writing for the parish to ‘on-sell’ the plot. The monies received from the ‘on-sell’ will then be paid back to the original purchaser.
• The purchase price paid for a plot is non-refundable in the event it remains unused.
Memorial Wall
Another option is to remember your loved ones by having a memorial plaque attached to the memorial wall.
• The cost of the memorial plaque is $1000 + GST.
• Your memorial plaque can have up to 80 letters or a maximum of 5 lines.
• Memorial plaques are paid for at the time of interment so please note that this cost may change.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a memorial plaque and have my remains buried at another cemetery or elsewhere?
Yes, a wall of remembrance is available. Are there ongoing maintenance or administrative charges?
No, the initial payment covers all ongoing costs. The parish accepts responsibility for the maintenance of the garden, the digging of the plots and affixing the plaque to the wall. How are the ashes interred?
Ashes are buried by St Luke’s Parish. How are the deceased identified?
A memorial plaque reflecting the full name and date of birth and death of deceased person will be fixed to the wall of the plot to mark the place of interment. The ordering of and affixing of the memorial plaque is the responsibility of the parish. Can we choose our own memorial plaque?
No, all memorial plaques are uniform in size and appearance, are made of brass and ordered though St Luke’s. Are records kept of reservations and interments?
Yes, when the plot is reserved and paid for, the name/s are entered in a memorial garden register and a receipt and Certificate of Reservation is provided. When ashes are interred, the name of the deceased and the date are noted in the register. Can I book a particular place in the memorial garden?
Yes, you can book a particular plot as long as it has not been pre-booked. Do you have a separate garden for the ashes of children?
No, all ashes are interned in the same garden. Can remains be removed?
The removal of cremated remains has to be approved by the St Luke’s parish priest. Removals must have written consent of the surviving spouse or surviving next of kin of the deceased and be in accordance with local and statutory regulations. In the event that the surrounding environment changes to the extent that it is no longer a desirable location for a memorial garden, (eg. A natural disaster occurred that significantly affected the property, or where there was necessity for the parish church to be closed or relocated and the property sold) the Bishop of Auckland shall have the discretionary right to determine another location. All reasonable steps will be taken to contact next of kin prior to any such relocation. Doesn’t the Catholic Church prefer burial rather than cremation?
The long history of the Catholic Church has included a time when the authorities frowned upon cremation because at that period in history it was being used as a statement of disbelief in the life hereafter. This has not been the reason for cremation in our recent history (last century) and therefore the Church has developed and been using a sacred ritual for cremation which has been implemented by Decree since Vatican II in the 1960s. In other words, if you are Catholic, it is okay to be cremated. The Church recognises the uniqueness of each individual and the fact that such uniqueness is brought to Heaven. We retain that vision of the unique individuality of each person by having an individual “resting place” for a deceased person, whether it be cremated remains or otherwise.
Scattering of ashes does not maintain such a view and is therefore discouraged by the church.
If you have any further questions about costings or reserving a plot, please contact our parish office on (09) 359 4750.
Our parish office hours are Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Please click Information Sheet & Application Form below for more information.