Official Magazine of the Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
ACCA News | Spring Edition 2026
ACCA 2026 Platinum Sponsor
A picture is worth a Thousand words Unveiled for the first time at ACCA’s 2026 Annual Conference, our new Memories in Colour plaques received an overwhelmingly warm response from the industry, marking an exciting evolution in personalised memorialisation from Arrow Bronze. Moving beyond the traditional plaque and portrait, Memories in Colour brings together a carefully curated montage of photographs to celebrate the moments that made a life unique - combining childhood, family, weddings, passions, places, milestones and the everyday memories that mean the most. Available in a range of plaque styles, layouts and sizes, including both landscape and square formats, the collection provides flexibility to create something deeply individual.
Memories in Colour - Where a Life Story Becomes the Memorial Beautiful colour options allow the plaque itself to become part of the story, while Arrow’s design team can also recommend a range of natural stone and granite memorials to complement the plaque and create a complete, considered memorial. Every image matters. That’s why Memories in Colour can also include optional light photographic retouching, helping enhance treasured worn or imperfect photographs while retaining their authenticity, ensuring the finished story is as beautiful as the life being honoured. The photographic elements are produced using premium porcelain and specialist high-temperature processes, designed for enduring outdoor memorialisation. The porcelains firing process fuses the photographic decoration with the ceramic surface, providing a premium image decoration resistant to rain, sun, heat, cold and ageing. Our plaques are proudly manufactured in Australia and the new Memories in Colour range brings together our manufacturing expertise, craftsmanship and commitment to innovation. From traditional memorialisation to transformational new ways of remembering, Arrow Bronze is proud to continue leading the industry, supporting cemeteries, crematoria, memorial specialists and their families to create memorials that don't simply record a name and dates, but celebrate a life and let the memories tell the story. Contact our customer care team to learn more about this exciting new plaque range.
22-24 Elliott Rd, Dandenong South, VIC 3175
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www.arrowbronze.com.au
ACCA News
Contents 06
An update from the President
07
An update from the CEO
12
From the Association
16
Member News
17
Across the Sector
22
Editorials
25
Industry Insights
43
Industry Events
44
Member Directory
12
16
22
Executive Committee 2026 Founded December 1985 ACN 009 555 426
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Debbie Hedger
Kristy Constantine
PRESIDENT
Chief Executive, Bunbury Cemetery Board
Coordinator Cemetery Services Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Dean Matthews Geelong Cemeteries Trust CEO p: (03) 5249 3939 e: dm@gct.net.au
p: (08) 9721 3191 e: ce@bcb.wa.gov.au Michael Robertson Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, CEO
VICE PRESIDENT
p: (08) 8139 7400 e: michael.robertson@aca.sa.gov.au
Denise Ora
Kerena McDonald
CEO, NSW Metropolitan Memorial Park p: (02) 9661 5655 e: denise.ora@mmplm.com.au
Coordinator Cemetery Services Toowoomba Regional Council p: (07) 4688 6686 e: kerena.mcdonald@tr.qld.gov.au
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
p: (07) 5459 2300 e: debbie.hedger@sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au Richard Runde General Manager - QLD Invocare e: richard.runde@InvoCare.com.au
ACCA SECRETARIAT 552 Victoria St, Wurundjeri Country, North Melbourne Victoria 3051 p: (03) 9969 7780
For information on advertising in ACCA News or to contribute content, please contact: Alison Ronaldson, Editor at: admin@accaweb.com.au Unless expressly stated the views put forward in ACCA News are not necessarily the considered views or policy of the Association or the Publisher, nor is the Association or the Publisher responsible for the claims of its advertisers. Graphic Design by Dean O’Brien, NEO Published by ACCA Secretariat
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 03
Sculpture
Cylinder Urn
Granite Walls Granite Bronze Combo
Bronze Image
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ACCA News
Corporate Sponsors 2026
Past Presidents Honour List C Ashton Shirley (Dec)
Bruce Macumber
Peter O’Meara (Dec)
October 1985 - June 1987
October 2001 - October 2003
October 2014 - October 2016
Graeme MacGill (Dec)
James McKay
Peter Deague
June 1987 - October 1987
October 2003 - October 2005
September 2016 - June 2017
Ian Roddick
Pieter den Boer
Darryl Thomas OAM
October 1987 - October 1990
October 2005 - October 2007
June 2017 - October 2019
Kevin Crowden (Dec)
Darryl Thomas OAM
David Molloy
October 1990 - October 1993
October 2007 - October 2009
October 2019 - October 2022
David C Blake OAM
Brendan O’Connor
Lauren Hardgrove
October 1993 - October 1997
October 2009 - October 2010
October 2022 - September 2025
Peter MacLean AM PSM JP
Bryan Elliott
October 1997 - October 1999
October 2010 - October 2012
Koos Adrichem
Armen Mikaelian
October 1999 - October 2001
October 2012 - October 2014
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 05
ACCA News
An update from the President More importantly, declaring something to be “best” can discourage us from asking a question that should always remain at the heart of our work:
Our role is to share it. To support this work, ACCA will invite members to volunteer for industry Better Practice Working Groups. These groups will contribute practical knowledge and advice to help shape useful, relevant guidance for the sector.
Can we do this better? That is why ACCA is focusing on Better Practice.
You will increasingly hear ACCA use the term “Better Practice” rather than “Best Practice” when developing guidelines, resources and education for our members. This is a deliberate and important choice. For many years, industries have spoken about “Best Practice”- the accepted gold standard for performing a particular task. While that sounds like something we should all aspire to, the word “best” can imply that we have found the answer: one recognised way of doing something that will produce the best possible outcome.
Better Practice recognises that improvement is a journey rather than a destination. It brings together knowledge, experience, research and lessons from across the sector to help organisations strengthen their operations and the services they provide to families and communities. An ACCA Better Practice Guide is not intended to say, “This is the only way you should do this.” Instead, it says: “Here is what we have learned, what is working well and what your organisation could consider.”
Over the coming years, ACCA will continue to develop and update Better Practice Guides across a range of areas. These should not be static documents that are published and forgotten. They must evolve with our sector, incorporating new research, technology, experiences and lessons learned. They should also encourage conversation. If your organisation has found a better way of doing something, we want to hear about it. If guidance does not work in your operating environment, tell us why. If new technology, evidence or experience challenges an established practice, we should be prepared to examine it.
That distinction matters.
Ultimately, Better Practice is not about ACCA telling the sector what to do.
Better Practice gives organisations flexibility to apply relevant guidance within their own operating environment.
It is about learning from one another and continuing to improve.
Our sector is far too diverse - and constantly evolving - for that approach.
It also recognises that good practice will continue to evolve.
There may never be one perfect way of operating a cemetery or crematorium.
Across Australia and New Zealand, cemeteries and crematoria operate within different legislative and regulatory environments. Our sector includes large metropolitan operators, small regional and remote cemeteries, local governments, trusts, not-for-profit organisations and private operators.
As technology, community expectations and operating risks change, our guidance must change with them.
And that is exactly why we should never stop looking for a better one.
We serve communities with different cultural, religious and social expectations. Our facilities also vary enormously in size, age, resources and capability. What works extremely well for one organisation may not be practical, appropriate or legally possible for another. A single, one-size-fits-all definition of “Best Practice” therefore risks setting organisations up for failure rather than helping them improve.
06 | ACCA News | Spring Edition 2026
Dean Matthews ACCA President
This creates room for new ideas, shared learning and better outcomes. Importantly, Better Practice does not mean lowering standards. Quite the opposite. It means creating a culture in which improvement never stops. ACCA can support this by bringing together knowledge from across our sector, regulators, experts and international partners. No organisation has all the answers, but collectively we have considerable experience.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
ACCA News
An update from the CEO
There is something incredibly valuable about bringing people from across our sector together in one place. Our recent ACCA National Conference on the Gold Coast was a great reminder of just how important those opportunities are. People from across Australia, New Zealand and further afield came together to share ideas, learn from each other and our speakers, challenge our thinking and, importantly, build connections. These conversations and relationships are an important part of how we continue to grow and develop, not only as individual organisations, but as a sector. There were many great presentations and conversations throughout the conference, but one in particular has stayed with me. During the National Funeral Directors Association update, we heard about an initiative focused on improving the way funeral directors work with cemeteries and crematoria. What struck me most was their willingness to stand in front of our sector and essentially say: “Tell us how we can do better.” That takes courage. It also reinforced something we can sometimes lose sight of. Whether we work for a funeral director, cemetery, crematorium or another part of the death care sector, ultimately we are all here for the same reason – to serve families and our communities at a time when they need us.
Over the past year, I have spoken at a number of events across the cemetery, crematoria and funeral sectors about the importance of working more closely together. Reflecting on those presentations, however, I have to admit I have probably played it a little safe.
That doesn’t mean we will always agree. Cemeteries, crematoria and funeral directors operate within different environments, regulations, pressures and expectations. There will be times when our priorities or processes don’t perfectly align.
I have focused on the positives – collaboration, communication and the opportunities that come from stronger relationships. But perhaps I haven’t always been as willing to be vulnerable as some of our funeral sector colleagues were at our conference.
But greater communication leads to greater understanding. Greater understanding builds respect. And that respect creates stronger relationships that allow us to solve problems together rather than simply becoming frustrated with each other.
There is a big difference between saying, “We need to work better together” and genuinely asking, “What can we do better?”
Most importantly, better collaboration ultimately means a better experience for the families and communities we all serve.
Asking for honest feedback can be uncomfortable. Hearing that something we do creates difficulties for another organisation, that a process isn’t working as well as we think, or simply that we could do something better isn’t always easy.
So, my challenge to our members – and equally to myself – is to create more opportunities for these conversations.
But that is not a sign of weakness. Putting aside our ego, being willing to listen and allowing ourselves to be a little vulnerable can provide one of the most valuable opportunities we have to learn and improve. Some people may read this and think it is all a bit of hogwash – and that’s fine. But I genuinely believe there is an opportunity here for all of us. When an interaction between a funeral director and a cemetery or crematorium doesn’t go well, it is easy for both sides to walk away frustrated, blame the other party and carry that frustration into the next interaction. The harder – but far more productive – response is to create an opportunity for a conversation. Rather than starting with what the other person or organisation did wrong, perhaps we start by asking: “How can we do better to help you do your job?”
Ask your local funeral directors what is working well and what could work better. Invite them in for a conversation. Listen to their challenges and explain yours. Be prepared to hear feedback that may be uncomfortable and be willing to respectfully share feedback of your own. And don’t wait until something has gone wrong to start the conversation. Strong relationships are built before we need them. Finally, I want to thank the funeral directors and funeral sector representatives who joined us at our conference, particularly those who were prepared to put themselves in a position of vulnerability, ask difficult questions and genuinely invite feedback. It was a valuable reminder that sometimes one of the most powerful things we can do as leaders, organisations and as a sector is also one of the simplest: Ask how we can do better – and then be prepared to listen to the answer. Ben Kelly Chief Executive Officer
And equally: “What can we both do differently to make this work better?”
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 07
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ACCA News
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Cemeteries And Crematoria, Funeral Directors, Industry Corporates And Businesses! The Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association (ACCA) is a non-profit professional organisation that exists to provide leadership, professional services and development, communication and networking platforms to the cemetery and crematorium industry.
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ition 2026
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MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA Full Membership: Organisations that administer the affairs of a Cemetery and/or Crematorium in Australasia. SUITED TO CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA Corporate Membership: Shall be incorporated organisations or trading enterprises considered worthy of membership associated with the burial or cremation industry who satisfy the Board that one or all of their activities assist and complement the work of the association and/or other members. SUITED TO INDUSTRY SUPPLIER COMPANIES Shall be persons considered worthy of such classification associated with the burial, cremation or allied industry who are not otherwise qualified to become an associate fellow, associate member or corporate member of the association.
Advertising in this publication is the ultimate way to promote your business or services to the cemeteries and crematoria industry and to increase your exposure. If you are interested in advertising in the ACCA News please contact the Secretariat on (03) 9863 6914 or email: admin@accaweb.com.au
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ACCA also uses its magazine to encourage members to contribute summaries of interesting events or information pertaining to our industry that you believe other members would find beneficial. Please feel free to forward your articles to us for consideration of inclusion in the ACCA News.
How to Order Please email admin@accaweb.com.au for a copy of the Order Forms. ACCAQUBrochures ESTION
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The ACCA News magazine is published 4 times per year, and is dedicated to the cemeteries and crematoria industry in Australasia. Via electronic distribution, the readership is estimated to be over 2,000 within Australia and also internationally. The only magazine in Australia dedicated to the Cemeteries and Crematoria industry, it also promotes the latest in innovation, safe work practices, industry equipment and also events designed to help communicate the message of memorialisation and comfort to our communities. ACCA News Advertising
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ACCA Brochures Have you got yours? The quality-print brochures ACCA produces offer cemeteries a way to inform their customers of the subjects of memorial and cremation in a takehome brochure. Our members find this extremely valuable in conveying to members of the public this sensitive, and sometimes complex, information in the form of reading material that can be provided to customers, where they may absorb the information at home and make informed decisions about the services they wish to undertake.
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Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 11
From the Association
ACCA Annual Conference Celebrating 40 Years of Connection at the ACCA Annual Conference The ACCA Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition brought the cemetery, crematoria and wider death care sector together on the Gold Coast from 1–4 September, marking an important milestone in ACCA’s history and another successful gathering for our industry. Held at RACV Royal Pines Resort, this year’s conference was particularly special as we celebrated 40 years of ACCA – four decades of bringing people together to share knowledge, strengthen professional connections and support the ongoing development of our sector. Under the theme Creating Connections and Understanding Your Customer, the conference explored the changing expectations of the communities we serve and the important role our people, workplaces and industry partnerships play in delivering meaningful services.
Learning, sharing and challenging our thinking Across three days of conference sessions, delegates heard from an engaging mix of keynote speakers, industry professionals and subject matter experts. The program explored customer and community connection, leadership, workplace culture, team performance and the evolving challenges and opportunities facing cemeteries and crematoria. Our keynote speakers brought fresh perspectives to the program, while industry presentations provided an opportunity to learn from the experiences of organisations and individuals working within and alongside our sector. Importantly, the conference also created space for conversations beyond the stage. The opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss common challenges and hear how others are approaching their work continues to be one of the most valuable aspects of bringing our industry together.
12 | ACCA News | Spring Edition 2026
The Welcome Drinks on Tuesday evening sponsored by Phoenix Foundry provided the perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new attendees before the formal conference program commenced. That spirit of connection continued throughout the week, culminating in our 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, sponsored by Arrow Bronze – a chance to celebrate ACCA’s history, recognise achievements within our industry and, most importantly, enjoy an evening together. The conference began with two optional professional development workshops covering Asset Management for Cemeteries and its Facilities and Psychological Wellbeing & Supporting Grieving Clients. These sessions provided participants with an opportunity to take a deeper dive into practical topics that are increasingly important across our workplaces.
An industry connected The Trade Exhibition was once again at the heart of the conference, bringing together suppliers, service providers and industry partners from across the sector. Over the three days, delegates had the opportunity to discover new products and services, speak directly with suppliers and build relationships with the businesses supporting cemetery and crematoria operations.
Celebrating 40 years of ACCA
For ACCA, these connections are an important part of the conference. Our exhibitors and corporate partners contribute not only to the success of our events but also to innovation, knowledge sharing and development across the broader industry.
Reaching our 40th year gave us an opportunity to reflect on how much has changed since ACCA began – both within the Association and across the cemetery and crematoria sector. Technology has evolved, community expectations have changed and the way our organisations operate continues to develop. What has remained constant is the value of bringing people together. The knowledge shared between colleagues, the conversations that begin over morning tea, the introduction to someone facing the same challenge at another organisation, and the relationships built across states, countries and different areas of our profession are all part of what makes the ACCA Conference important.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
From the Association Forty years is therefore more than an anniversary. It represents four decades of collaboration and a sector that continues to learn from, support and challenge one another.
Thank you An event of this scale is only possible because of the people and organisations who support it. ACCA sincerely thanks our corporate sponsors – Arrow Bronze, Phoenix Foundry, Facultatieve Technologies, Key Business Advisors, Worssell & Co, Plotbox, AFRM Claims Advocacy, Orthometals, Final Touch Australia, Norwalk, Hyqual, Opusxenta, Engineered Aluminium Works and Paramount Bronze – together with our conference sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and industry partners for their contribution to this year’s event. We extend our sincere thanks to the following conference sponsors; Welcome Drinks & Networking event Phoenix Foundry Conference Delegate Gift Facultatieve Technologies (FT) Conference Celebration Dinner & Photobooth - Arrow Bronze Catering - National Granite Coffee Cart (Wednesday) - Worssell & Co Coffee Cart (Thursday) - Zinnia Keynote Speaker gift - Final Touch Australia We also thank every delegate who travelled to the Gold Coast and contributed to the conversations, questions and connections that made the conference such a success. Whether you have attended ACCA events for many years or joined us for the first time in 2026, thank you for being part of this milestone. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for our industry to connect, learn and grow together, and to welcoming you to the next ACCA event.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 13
From the Association
14 | ACCA News | Spring Edition 2026
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
From the Association
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 15
Member News
Meet Remembered Geelong Cemeteries Trust The opportunity was to make this remarkable body of local history accessible to a wider community, while creating new ways for people to engage with the cemetery and the people remembered there.
Geelong Cemeteries Trust (GCT) has launched Remembered, a Virtual Memorialisation app offering a new way for people to discover and connect with the lives of those interred at Colac Cemetery.
A vision for what memorialisation can become Launched in June 2026 as part of the Virtual Memorialisation Pilot Project, the initiative is the first of its kind in Australia at this scale, bringing together cemetery stewardship, memorialisation and digital storytelling. Behind every memorial is a person, a family, a community and a story, and GCT’s vision was to make those stories a living, accessible connection between past and present.
The opportunity The Virtual Memorialisation Pilot draws on more than a decade of dedicated research through Colac & District Family History Group’s (CDFHG) Almost Forgotten initiative, an extensive collection documenting more than 1,800 life stories, historical records and photographs of individuals interred at Colac Cemetery prior to 1900.
Bringing the vision to life To realise the vision, GCT partnered with Arrow Bronze and CDFHG, combining cemetery expertise, memorialisation experience and more than a decade of local research into a single, multidisciplinary effort. The result is Remembered: an app that uses interactive mapping, allowing visitors to explore life stories connected to final resting places within Colac Cemetery. Historical information, photographs and accessible audio provide a richer understanding of the people behind the names and dates recorded on memorials. The experience extends beyond the cemetery itself. Through the app and accompanying website, descendants, family members, researchers and anyone interested in Colac’s history can explore the collection from anywhere in the world.
A strong community response The response to Remembered was immediate. More than 200 people attended the launch and over 1,000 life story views were recorded within the first four hours. “The community didn’t simply come to the launch. They searched, listened and discovered stories in Colac Cemetery. That’s exactly what we hoped the project could achieve: using technology to create another pathway to the cemetery and strengthen the connection between people, place and story,” GCT Chief Executive Officer Dean Matthew said.
Enhancing, not replacing For GCT, Remembered is about enhancing, not replacing, traditional memorialisation. The physical memorial and cemetery remain at the heart of the experience, with digital technology providing another way to discover, explore and connect.
16 | ACCA News | Spring Edition 2026
It’s a principle the project has reinforced throughout: start with the story, not the technology. People engage because the stories are meaningful, technology just makes them easier to find.
Just the beginning The Virtual Memorialisation Pilot is not the destination, but rather a starting point. “We don’t know exactly what the future of memorialisation will look like, and that’s what makes this pilot so exciting. Whether a story belongs to someone who died recently or a hundred years ago, every life has a story, and every story deserves to be remembered. This pilot gives us an opportunity to explore how technology can enhance the way we preserve life stories, engage with cemetery spaces and connect communities,” GCT Chair John Mitchell said. As Geelong Cemeteries Trust looks to the future, the possibilities extend beyond Colac and the current pilot. Remembered opens the door to new ways of thinking about how we preserve stories, engage with cemetery spaces and memorialise the lives of people and communities, now and for generations to come. The Remembered app is free and available to download via the App Store and Google Play, with online access also available at almostforgotten.com.au.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Across the Sector
Funerals Australia Report It is hard to believe that 12 months have passed since we officially launched Funerals Australia and celebrated 90 years of our Association in Melbourne. At the time, we described the launch as much more than a change of name. It represented a new chapter for our Association and an opportunity to strengthen our voice, improve community understanding of funerals and better represent the professionalism and value of funeral service across Australia. One year on, that work continues to gain momentum. Our focus remains on building awareness of Funerals Australia, strengthening our position as a trusted voice on funerals and ensuring our members remain at the centre of everything we do. This includes increasing our presence through digital channels and proactive media engagement, contributing to broader industry conversations and creating more opportunities to highlight the expertise and care our members provide to families every day. Earlier this year, the Funerals Australia National Council established four national committees to guide areas of strategic importance: Premises Equipment Vehicle (PEV) and Regulation, Membership and Communications, Education, and Finance, Risk and Audit. These committees provide an important opportunity to draw on the knowledge and experience of members from across the country and help ensure our standards, education, communications and governance continue to evolve alongside the needs of both the profession and the community. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege as National President to attend the Funerals Australia Divisional Annual General Meetings for each state. AGMs have so far been held on the Gold Coast for the joint NSW/ ACT and Queensland Divisions, Phillip Island for the Victorian Division, Monarto Safari Resort for the SA/NT Division and Scarborough for the WA Division, with our final event to take place at Cradle Mountain for the Tasmanian Division. These meetings reinforce the importance
of bringing people together to exchange ideas and experiences, particularly at a time when the funeral and cemetery sectors are navigating changing community expectations, workforce challenges, legislation reforms, sustainability and new approaches to service delivery. They also provide an opportunity to recognise members who have made an outstanding contribution to the Association and the profession. Congratulations to this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients Don Burstow, Rowan Steer, Kelly Scott, Mark Forgie and Sharyn Moll. Looking ahead planning is progressing strongly for the 2027 Funerals Australia International Convention and Expo to be held from 10-13 March 2027 at the Greater Western Sydney Convention Centre. Delegates can look forward to a comprehensive education program featuring leading industry experts, emerging trends, practical business insights and futurefocused discussions, alongside a vibrant industry expo showcasing the latest products, services, technology and innovations in funeral service along with a range of exciting social events. The Expo website is now live, and remaining exhibition opportunities have been opened to the broader industry. Together, the Convention, International Expo and ACC Higgins Leadership Forum will bring funeral professionals, suppliers, industry leaders and international colleagues together for education, networking and collaboration. Further details on speakers, the education program, social events, registration and accommodation will be updated on the Convention and Expo website as planning progresses. We encourage all ACCA members to join us for this landmark event.
education and networking, but also to discuss the common challenges and opportunities facing our respective sectors. We look forward to continuing to work alongside ACCA and its members as together we support families, strengthen professional standards and help shape the future of funeral, cemetery and crematoria services across Australia. Regards
Asha Dooley National President
CEO Dale Gilson and I look forward to attending the upcoming ACCA Annual Conference and 40th Anniversary celebrations on the Gold Coast and continuing the valuable relationship between Funerals Australia and ACCA. As we have seen through previous conferences and industry events, coming together provides an opportunity not only for
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
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Across the Sector
Cemeteries and Crematoria Association South Australia On behalf of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Association of South Australia (CCASA) Committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend this year’s Information Forum to be held at the brand-new Hotel Panorama at 625 Goodwood Road Panorama on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd October 2026. Being only 8kms South of the Adelaide’s city Centre, this venue is a great central location.
Thursday 22nd October 2026, we will be commencing our forum at 2pm, meeting at Centennial Park (Jubilee Complex Forecourt) followed by an exclusive tour of Centennial Park, showcasing the beautiful Chapel spaces, a guided crematorium walk through with a tour of the burial operations compound. The day will conclude at 4:45pm, however you are invited to take advantage of some optional self-guided and unescorted walks.
This year’s focus is Future Ready – Collaboration, Care and Change.
On Thursday evening, our valued Platinum Sponsors, Everlon, Phoenix and Arrow Bronze, once again invite members, attendees, and sponsors to a networking dinner event at Hotel Panorama’s Springbank and Kingston Room commencing 6:00pm.
We’ve invited some of the industry’s leading experts to speak with us about relevant topics that cemetery authorities are currently facing, this is an excellent opportunity for you to engage with your colleagues and industry specialists.
On Friday 23rd October 2026 we have a full day program with an exceptional line up of guest speakers. The prestigious Darren Leuders’ customer service award will be announced followed by the CCASA AGM. The Forum is a key activity on our annual calendar
and provides an excellent opportunity for sharing ideas and experiences, networking and increasing the knowledge of effectively and safely operating a cemetery. We extend this invitation to all CCASA, reciprocal members, non-members and guests and look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 CCASA Information Forum. We’d love to see you there. Please email us on info@cemeteriessa.com.au for a program to be sent to you. Richard Conroy President- Cemeteries and Crematoria Association of South Australia (CCASA)
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Cemeteries and Crematoria Association Western Australia CCAWA Board Officially Announced After the recent CCAWA Annual General Meeting held on 18th April 2026 the CCAWA Board can officially announce the Board of Directors for 2026/ 2027. Due to changes to the Constitution that were voted on by members at the AGM and forwarded for approval, the Board can confirm the changes were ratified and became effective as at July 10, 2026 by Associations WA. The CCAWA Board of Directors are as follows: President: Christine McGrath – Busselton Secretary: Anne Dixon – Bunbury Treasurer: Peter Tomlinson – Albany Director: Melissa Marcon – Wongan-Ballidu Director: Leigh Milligan – Moora Director: Krisha Rowcroft – Perth
creating a centralised digital database or burial records, grave locations, maps and cemetery information. While the discoveries that prompted this investigation were unexpected, they have created an opportunity for the shire to better understand, document and protect a very important community asset. Well done and congratulations to Felicity once again, the CCAWA Board and members look forward to hearing all about your ACCA experience at the 2027 annual seminar.
Uncovering Hidden History at Toodyay Cemetery The Shire of Toodyay located 74 kilometres east of Perth is undertaking an important Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) investigation at the Toodyay Public Cemetery.
Mark Your Diary The dates for the 2027 one day seminar and AGM has been set for the 29th and 30th April 2027, the location is to be confirmed, however due to requests from members it is likely that it will be once again be held in the metropolitan area due to the logistics of transport for those attending. The CCAWA Board will meet again shortly and plan so watch this space but mark the dates into your diaries now.
Dating back to the mid 1800’s, Toodyay Cemetery is a place of great historical and community importance. Like many cemeteries established during this period, a number of graves are unmarked, with headstones deteriorating, been lost over time, or never installed.
The Peter MacLean Award winner for 2026 is Felicity Anderson from the Shire of Meekatharra. Felicity was “over the moon” to have been nominated and receive the award giving her the opportunity to attend the ACCA conference on the Gold Coast. Felicity is a well-respected staff member of the Shire and her peers acknowledge her for her work ethic, diligent support, and compassion for the families laying their loved ones to rest in Meekatharra Cemetery.
The project was prompted by an incident during the preparation of a new grave. While excavating the selected site, the grave digging team unexpectedly uncovered human remains. An alternative location was subsequently chosen; however, excavation at the second site revealed an old coffin. These discoveries highlighted the possibility that additional burials may exist within the cemetery that are undocumented. In response the Shire has engaged specialist consultants to undertake a GPR service across the cemetery. The project also represents a significant step forward towards modernising the management of the cemetery. Following completion of the survey, the Shire intends to transition its cemetery records into the Chronicle Cemetery Management System,
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Across the Sector
Cemeteries and Crematoria Association Victoria CCAV Takes Its Conversation on the Road Across Victoria
Supporting Industry Partnerships
2027 CCAV Learning and Leadership Forum
Over the past 18 months, the Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of Victoria (CCAV) Committee has taken its engagement directly to cemetery trusts across Victoria through a series of regional ‘In Conversation’ sessions.
The 2026 ‘In Conversation’ sessions have been proudly supported by CCAV’s Platinum Industry Partners. Partners have provided promotional materials and displayed their company banners at their allocated sessions, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting Victoria’s cemetery and crematoria sector.
Save the Date – 2027 Learning and Leadership Forum
For CCAV, the ‘In Conversation’ program is about more than simply taking information to members. It is about listening, connecting and building stronger relationships across the sector.
We are excited to announce the location in the coming weeks and are developing a program focused on learning, leadership, professional development and practical knowledge to support those working and volunteering across Victoria’s cemetery sector.
The initiative was developed to provide an opportunity for cemetery trusts—both CCAV members and non-members—to share their experiences, challenges and understanding of their responsibilities and requirements. Importantly, the sessions have enabled CCAV to listen directly to those working at the local level and better understand the diverse needs of cemetery trusts across Victoria. To date, the sessions have connected CCAV with more than 300 people representing 169 cemetery trusts, including 119 CCAV member trusts and 51 non-member trusts. The program has delivered tangible results, with 21 trusts joining CCAV directly as a result of the sessions and a further four memberships attributed indirectly. More importantly, the conversations have created a valuable network for sharing ideas, identifying common challenges and exploring practical solutions. A key outcome has been the growing interest in developing local network groups, providing cemetery trusts with opportunities to connect with neighbouring trusts, share knowledge and experiences, and provide mutual support. The information gathered through the sessions has also strengthened CCAV’s advocacy role. Feedback and issues raised by trusts have been shared with key industry stakeholders, including the Department of Health, Funerals Australia (Victoria) and the Master Stonemasons Association, helping ensure that the experiences of cemetery trusts are reflected in broader industry discussions.
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By travelling to communities across Victoria, CCAV is gaining a clearer understanding of the issues facing cemetery trusts, while creating opportunities for collaboration and ensuring the voice of local cemetery trusts continues to contribute to the future direction of the industry.
Planning is well underway for CCAV’s 2027 Learning and Leadership Forum, which will be held from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 February 2027.
Keep an eye out for further announcements as we reveal the venue, program and registration details.
CCAV Annual General Meeting CCAV is looking forward to bringing members together for the 2026 Annual General Meeting on Friday 16 October at Melbourne Zoo. This year’s AGM will feature guest presentations from Royal Flying Doctor Service – Memory Lane and the Rebecca Jane Foundation, providing an opportunity for members to hear from organisations whose work reflects the importance of connection, community and supporting people through significant life experiences. The AGM will also provide an opportunity for members to come together, reflect on the year that has been and look ahead to CCAV’s priorities and initiatives for the year ahead.
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Across the Sector
Cemeteries and Crematoria Association New South Wales Building consumer confidence in interment right decisions David Raper, Chief Executive Officer, Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) recently commissioned research to better understand people’s experiences when purchasing an interment right. The research explored who purchasers are, what information and support they need, where they seek help, and where confusion or barriers can arise. While CCNSW is still finalising the project, the findings already provide valuable insights into how consumers experience the interment right purchasing process and where industry can continue to build consumer confidence. The research shows that consumers have limited understanding of interment rights. Only 13 per cent of the community had investigated the process before needing to decide. As a result, people may not know what an interment right involves, what choices they need to make, or what questions to ask. These decisions often arise at emotional or timesensitive moments, when clear and timely information is essential.
Professional and knowledgeable cemetery and crematorium staff have a strong influence on consumer experiences. Positive consumer experiences reflected clear explanations, supportive conversations, and a smooth, well-paced process, giving people greater confidence in their decisions. Encouragingly, 81 per cent of stakeholders were satisfied with the purchase process because of professional, helpful, and compassionate staff interactions. These findings confirm the care and commitment cemetery and crematorium staff bring to supporting consumers. The research also showed where the process could be easier. Consumers indicated that they were often unsure what to do next, faced unexpected costs or complex paperwork, felt rushed, or were uncertain whether the final purchase met their expectations. These experiences showed the need for clear information, consistent guidance, and cemetery and crematorium staff having adequate time and tools to support consumers. The research found that consumers approach interment right decisions with different levels of knowledge, confidence, urgency, support and cultural expectations. There is no single consumer journey, and the information and assistance people need can vary considerably depending on their circumstances.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
The research also highlighted that some consumers plan well in advance, while others are required to make decisions under time pressure, emotional strain or family responsibility. This reinforces the need for flexible, accessible information and consistent support throughout the process. The research gives CCNSW and industry a positive opportunity to work together to make the consumer experience easier and more supportive. CCNSW has sought input from its consumer and industry advisory groups and will use this feedback to shape its response. We will also consult more widely with industry, with those discussions informing practical improvements to consumer information and broader industry practice. We want to not only respond to the consumer pain points identified through the research but also learn from the knowledge, empathy and professionalism already existing within the cemetery and crematorium sector. By working with industry, CCNSW can help make the interment purchase process easier to navigate, so people feel informed, supported, and confident in making decisions that are right for them and their families.
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Member News Editorials
Arrow Bronze Memorials From Mushrooms to Memorials: A New Kind of Farewell Arrives in Australia and New Zealand
A New Natural Choice: Why Loop Feels Different
We have already seen how strongly the idea of caring for the earth and returning naturally to it can resonate in conversations with First Nations people. Those interactions have been a powerful reminder that every community, family and culture has its own traditions and that personalisation should always be led respectfully by those being served.
There are products that enter an industry because they offer something new, and then there are products that make people stop, reach out and want to understand more. Loop does both. The arrival of the Loop Living Cocoon™ and EarthRise™ collection in Australia and New Zealand this November introduces an entirely new category of funeral and memorial products — one that brings together nature, science, sustainability, thoughtful design and, importantly, practicality for our funeral, cemetery and cremation sectors. At the centre of the collection is the Loop Living Cocoon™, grown in just seven days using mycelium — the root structure of mushrooms — and natural fibres. Rather than relying on conventional timber construction, mycelium naturally binds the fibres together to form the Cocoon. It is fully biodegradable and designed around a beautifully simple circular idea: grown from nature and ultimately designed to return to nature. For cemeteries and crematoria, its practical application is just as important as its sustainability story.
For natural burial, the connection is particularly clear. Under optimal conditions, the mycelium composite can biologically decompose in approximately 45 days, reducing reliance on virgin timber and many of the conventional components associated with traditional coffins and caskets. Alongside the Cocoon, EarthRise™ brings that same natural philosophy into cremation and ashes memorialisation, creating opportunities for cemeteries and crematoria to broaden the sustainable choices available to families. But for all the science, sustainability and practical application behind Loop, none of those things quite explains what happens when someone experiences it for the first time.
It can be natural without being limited to natural burial. Sustainable without sacrificing practicality. Innovative without losing the warmth and ritual that matter to families.
That has been the unforgettable part of introducing Loop across Australia and New Zealand.
There is an almost instant connection to the Cocoon’s gentle shape, softness and natural texture. It doesn’t feel manufactured in the way people expect a coffin or casket to feel. It starts conversations. People run their hands across it, ask what it is grown from and begin imagining how it could become part of a farewell.
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Loop products supplied to Australia and New Zealand are currently grown in the Netherlands and primarily transported commercially by sea. For the first Australian commercial shipment, estimated sea-freight emissions were approximately 4–5 tonnes CO₂e, with Loop retiring six tonnes of verified carbon credits. Longer term, the ambition is to bring production closer to our region as local demand and scale develop. For our cemetery and cremation sector, Loop represents an opportunity to think differently about what a sustainable funeral product can be.
People reach out and touch it.
The Living Cocoon is designed for both burial and cremation. This means it is not limited to dedicated natural burial grounds. It can provide another choice for families considering traditional cemetery burial or cremation, while cemetery and crematorium operators continue to follow their normal acceptance, handling and operating procedures.
There is something very special about bringing together sustainability and ceremony, environmental responsibility and human touch.
And that is where Loop becomes deeply personal. The Cocoon can become a canvas for families. Its natural surface and organic personalisation options allow people to add colour, messages, symbols and meaningful decoration, creating opportunities for family participation, ceremony and cultural expression.
And perhaps that is why Loop is proving so memorable. The technology may start the conversation. The sustainability credentials give it purpose. But it is the gentle touch, personalisation and immediate human connection to something grown by nature and designed to return to nature that people remember. This November, that new choice finally reaches our shores. For more information contact the Arrow Bronze team at (03) 9794 2922.
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Industry Insights
Relationships Australia Prevention Starts with Conversation: Supporting Staff Through Debriefing and Clinical Supervision The people who care for grieving families also need opportunities to be cared for. Across the funeral, cemetery and crematoria sector, there is growing recognition that supporting staff wellbeing is not simply about responding when someone is struggling. It is about creating workplace practices that help prevent vicarious trauma before it develops. That means moving beyond one-off wellbeing initiatives and embedding ongoing support into everyday practice. Regular debriefing and clinical supervision give staff the opportunity to reflect on challenging work, strengthen their professional practice and build the resilience needed to continue supporting others over the long term. One of the most encouraging things I have seen throughout this year’s partnership with ACCA is the willingness of organisations to have these conversations. Whether through our national workshops, industry events or discussions with members, there is a growing recognition that supporting staff wellbeing deserves the same attention as supporting the families and communities we serve. Two of the most effective preventative strategies are structured debriefing and clinical supervision. Structured debriefing provides staff with the opportunity to reflect on challenging situations, consider their responses and identify strategies that support both professional practice and personal wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on what happened, effective debriefing encourages reflection, shared learning and professional growth. It helps create a workplace culture where staff feel supported to learn from difficult experiences rather than carry them in isolation.
Clinical supervision complements this by providing a structured process for professional reflection, support and ongoing development. It gives practitioners dedicated time to explore complex work, maintain healthy professional boundaries and recognise the impact that repeated exposure to grief and trauma can have over time. Like any aspect of professional development, its greatest value comes when it becomes part of regular practice rather than something accessed only when difficulties arise. These themes have continued to emerge throughout this year’s workshops with Funerals Australia and ACCA. While every organisation is different, the conversations have been remarkably consistent. Participants have told us they value practical communication strategies, evidence-based frameworks and tools they can apply immediately in their roles. Just as importantly, many have reflected on the value of sharing experiences with others who understand the unique nature of this work. The opportunity to pause, reflect and learn alongside peers has reinforced that the emotional demands of supporting grieving families are shared across the profession, and that ongoing support benefits both individuals and organisations. Hearing those reflections has been particularly encouraging because they reflect a broader shift across the sector. Psychological wellbeing is no longer being viewed as something separate from professional practice. Increasingly, organisations are recognising that creating opportunities for regular debriefing, clinical supervision and professional reflection is an important part of building healthy, resilient teams and sustaining compassionate care over the long term.
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
As organisations begin planning their 2027 professional development priorities, there is an opportunity to build these conversations into everyday practice. Alongside training in Vicarious Trauma and Psychological Wellbeing, Supporting Grieving Clients and Debriefing Skills, initiatives such as Train the Trainer can help organisations build internal capability so these conversations continue well beyond a single workshop. Combined with ongoing clinical supervision, these approaches support leaders to embed learning, mentoring and professional reflection into everyday practice, creating a culture where staff feel supported throughout their careers, not just during difficult periods. Looking ahead to 2027, my encouragement to organisations is to keep these conversations going. Continue investing in your people. Continue making space for debriefing, professional reflection and ongoing support. The work undertaken across our sector is deeply meaningful, and it asks a great deal of the people who do it every day. By making staff wellbeing an ongoing priority rather than a one-off initiative, we strengthen not only our workforce but also the compassionate care we provide to every family who places their trust in us. Donna Plavljanić Senior Manager, Learning and Innovation, Relationships Australia Victoria
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Industry Insights
Sydney Family Chooses Mushroom-Grown Coffin for Australian First Sydney family chooses Dutch-grown Loop Living Cocoon™ for Australia's first mushroom coffin burial in the Blue Mountains.
SYDNEY, Australia – 7 September 2026 - Australia's first mushroom coffin burial took place on Friday, 4 September 2026, after a Sydney family chose the Loop Living Cocoon™ for the farewell of Carolyn, a woman in her 70s. Her husband Donald and their children, together with family and friends, gathered to honour her in a way that reflected her connection to nature. While the moment marks an Australian first, for the family it was simply about saying goodbye in a way that felt right. Rather than choosing a conventional timber coffin, the family selected a coffin grown in the Netherlands from mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms, and upcycled hemp fibres. After burial, the material becomes part of the soil and helps nourish nature.
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For Carolyn's family, the choice was about staying true to her values and choosing a farewell that felt close to nature. "This is so Carolyn. She was always there to help others. It feels very true to who she was that even after her death, she can still do something for others while giving something back to nature." — Donald, Carolyn's husband "Carolyn lived a life of service and was deeply loved and admired by her community. It feels incredibly fitting that she became the first person in Australia to be laid to rest this way. Continuing to give back even after her life." — Erin, Carolyn's daughter "When we saw her resting on the bed of moss, it looked almost whimsical. It felt like she was already becoming part of the earth." — Christine, Carolyn's very close friend since primary school The farewell ceremony took place in Faulconbridge, followed by the burial at Springwood Cemetery in the Blue Mountains. According to Asha Dooley, Managing Director & Funeral Director of Grace Funerals, conversations around more sustainable funerals are becoming increasingly common. "Five years ago, very few families were asking these questions. Today we're regularly speaking with people who want a farewell that reflects how someone lived their life. Families are looking for options that are personal, meaningful and environmentally responsible. We believe this is the beginning of an important shift in the Australian funeral profession." — Asha Dooley, Managing Director & Funeral Director, Grace Funerals
The burial comes as fungi gain wider recognition in Australia. The Australian Labor Party recently became the country's first major political party to explicitly recognise fungi alongside flora and fauna in its National Platform. The Australian burial marks a new chapter for an invention that began in Delft, the Netherlands. Bob Hendrikx developed the first version of the Living Cocoon during his 2
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Industry Insights
graduation project at Delft University of Technology. Today, Loop Biotech products are used in more than 12 countries. The Loop Living Cocoon™ is grown in just seven days from mycelium and upcycled hemp fibres. Under suitable soil conditions, the coffin becomes part of the soil in approximately 45 days. Loop Biotech develops regenerative funeral products designed to give something back to nature. "Five years ago, this existed only as an idea at Delft University of Technology. Being here in Sydney and seeing the first Australian family choose it is incredibly special. We hope this gives families another way to leave something positive behind: a final gesture that also gives something back to the land." — Bob Hendrikx, Inventor & Founder, Loop Biotech The Australian introduction has been made possible through an exclusive partnership with Arrow Bronze, which is distributing the Living Cocoon to the Australian funeral profession. "Australians have a deep connection with the outdoors and the natural environment. More families are looking for farewell options that reflect those values. We're proud to introduce the Living Cocoon to Australia and make regenerative funeral products available to families across the country." — Sonia Vachalec, Partnerships & Industry Lead – Loop Australia & New Zealand, Arrow Bronze The concept has also resonated with Australians encountering the Living Cocoon for the first time. "As a proud Kamilaroi woman, I connected with it immediately — with the rawness of the material, the natural elements, and the opportunity to express culture through artwork, language and stories. The more we are connected to Mother Earth, the more naturally this idea fits. It looks natural, it feels natural, and I think this is the way forward — a new way to lay people to rest in the most natural form." — Paula McGrady, Kamilaroi woman
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Industry Insights
Photo: Paula McGrady, Kamilaroi woman, with the Loop Living Cocoon™.
"I’d never heard of anything like this before, and I’m surprised it’s only just coming to Australia now. It feels like something people could really connect with and something very special for families. It’s such a natural way of doing things." — Alabama Wyke, surfer, Gold Coast
Photo: Alabama Wyke, Gold Coast surfer, with the Loop Living Cocoon™.
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General information
About Loop Biotech Loop Biotech is a family-owned biotechnology company based in Delft, the Netherlands, founded five years ago from a graduation project at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The company develops a new generation of regenerative funeral products, including coffins and urns for people and pets, grown from mycelium and plant-based fibres. Loop products are available in more than 12 countries and have been used in more than 10,000 funerals and memorials worldwide. The Loop Living Cocoon™ was named one of TIME's Best Inventions. About Arrow Bronze Arrow Bronze is an Australian company and manufacturer that has supported the Australian and New Zealand memorialisation sector for more than 85 years. Through its exclusive partnership with Loop Biotech, Arrow Bronze is introducing regenerative funeral and memorial products across the region, supported by local distribution, training, education and partner services.
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Media Contacts Loop Biotech Bob Hendrikx - Inventor & Founder Phone: +31 6 1774 7426 Email: bobhendrikx@loop-biotech.com Website: www.loop-biotech.com Grace Funerals Asha Dooley - Funeral Director Phone: +61 478 055 264 Email: asha@gracefunerals.com.au Website: www.gracefunerals.com.au Arrow Bronze | Exclusive Australian & New Zealand Partner Sonia Vachalec - Partnerships & Industry Lead – Loop Australia & New Zealand Phone: 0419 006 246 Email: Sonia.Vachalec@arrowbronze.com.au Website: www.arrowbronze.com.au Media Kit Click here to download high-resolution images, videos and press materials Launch Video Watch the 1-minute launch video: https://youtu.be/GfQdY6B91uc
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Industry Insights
“Wait… that’s grown from mushrooms?” Innovation Arrives in Australia and New Zealand From a Gold Coast surfer and First Nations conversations to an Australian family, people are getting their first look at a TIME-recognised innovation that is grown — not manufactured — from mycelium and upcycled plant fibres.
Photo: Alabama Wyke, Gold Coast surfer, with the Loop Living Cocoon™. © Loop Biotech
GOLD COAST / SYDNEY, Australia – 7 September 2026 — Put an unusual cream-coloured object grown from mushrooms on an Australian beach and the questions come quickly: “What is it?” “It’s made from mushrooms?” “You actually grow it?” Those were exactly the kinds of reactions sparked this week as the TIME-recognised Loop Living Cocoon™ arrived in Australia for the first time. The surprise is the point. Dutch biotechnology company Loop Biotech grows the Living Cocoon™ from mycelium (the underground root network of mushrooms) and upcycled plant fibres. Mycelium naturally binds the fibres together as it grows, allowing Loop to create the form in just seven days instead of relying only on conventional manufacturing. Under suitable soil conditions after burial, it becomes part of the soil in approximately 45 days. From a Gold Coast surfer to Australia’s first Living Cocoon burial On the Gold Coast, a local surfer stopped to discover the Living Cocoon™. Her reaction — surprise, curiosity and then fascination that something so substantial could quite literally be 1
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grown by nature — captured what has happened repeatedly during Loop founder and inventor Bob Hendrikx’s first Australian visit. The launch has deliberately taken the innovation beyond boardrooms and laboratories and put it in front of real Australians. "I'd never heard of anything like this before, and I'm surprised it's only just coming to Australia now. It feels like something people could really connect with and something very special for families. It's such a natural way of doing things." — Alabama Wyke, surfer, Gold Coast “Nature has been growing materials for millions of years. We asked a simple question: why manufacture everything if some products can be grown? Mycelium allows us to create something useful using nature’s own intelligence — and then, when its purpose is complete, allow it to return to the earth.” — Bob Hendrikx, Inventor & Founder, Loop Biotech At the Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association (ACCA) 40th Anniversary Conference, hundreds of funeral and memorial professionals encountered the Living Cocoon™ and the broader Loop range. The recurring response was disbelief that the material had been grown from mushrooms rather than conventionally manufactured. And the response went beyond industry.
Australian industry professionals encounter the Living Cocoon™ at the ACCA Convention. © Loop Biotech
During the same visit, Hendrikx met Paula McGrady, bringing a First Nations perspective into the conversation around Country, nature, life and returning to the earth. "As a proud Kamilaroi woman, I connected with it immediately - with the rawness of the material, the natural elements, and the opportunity to express culture through artwork, language and stories. The more we are connected to Mother Earth, the more 2
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naturally this idea fits. It looks natural, it feels natural, and I think this is the way forward - a new way to lay people to rest in the most natural form." — Paula McGrady, Kamilaroi woman
Paula McGrady at the ACCA Convention during the Australian launch of the Loop Living Cocoon™. © Loop Biotech
Then, in the Blue Mountains, the innovation became deeply personal.
The Living Cocoon™ prepared with a bright native floral arrangement ahead of Australia’s first burial. © Loop Biotech
A Sydney family became the first in Australia to choose the Living Cocoon™ for a burial. During the farewell, the family openly spoke about why the Cocoon felt right for Carolyn,
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Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Industry Insights
sharing its story with more than 200 relatives, friends and community members. For Carolyn’s daughter Erin, the choice reflected the way her mother had lived. “Carolyn lived a life of service and was deeply loved and admired by her community. It feels incredibly fitting that she became the first person in Australia to be laid to rest this way. Continuing to give back even after her life.” — Erin, Carolyn’s daughter "Five years ago, very few families were asking these questions. Today we're regularly speaking with people who want a farewell that reflects how someone lived their life. Families are looking for options that are personal, meaningful and environmentally responsible. We believe this is the beginning of an important shift in the Australian funeral profession." — Asha Dooley, Managing Director & Funeral Director, Grace Funerals But the bigger story isn’t the coffin. It’s the material.
The Living Cocoon™ on the Australian coast. © Loop Biotech
Loop’s approach sits at the intersection of biotechnology, design and circular materials. The Living Cocoon™ may be the product people notice first, but the underlying innovation is mycelium itself and what can be grown from it. Loop uses its natural binding properties as a material platform for products designed to serve a purpose and then return to natural systems.
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Industry Insights
The Living Cocoon™ with its natural moss bed. © Loop Biotech
The idea began in Delft, the Netherlands, where Bob Hendrikx developed the first version of the Living Cocoon during his graduation project at Delft University of Technology. Five years later, Loop products are available in more than 12 countries and have been used in more than 10,000 funerals and memorial moments worldwide. The Living Cocoon™ was named one of TIME's Best Inventions. The Australia and New Zealand launch brings that broader platform to the region: the Living Cocoon™, biodegradable urns for people and FurEver™ pet urns that families can keep, personalise or eventually return to the earth. The common idea is simple: products grown from nature, made with nature and designed to return to nature. “The coffin is the product people notice first, but the bigger story is the material. The same grown technology can be used across coffins and urns for people and pets. We are building a completely new product category around materials that come from nature and can return to nature.” — Bob Hendrikx, Inventor & Founder, Loop Biotech The regional introduction has been made possible through an exclusive partnership with Arrow Bronze, which is bringing the Loop range to Australia and New Zealand with local distribution, training, education and partner support. “Australians and New Zealanders have such a strong connection to the outdoors, the ocean, the land and nature. What has been extraordinary this week is watching people encounter this for the first time — from a surfer on the Gold Coast, to First 5
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Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Industry Insights
Nations conversations, industry leaders and an Australian family. You see the same moment of disbelief when you tell them this has actually been grown from mushrooms. That is the story: it challenges what we think a product can be.” — Sonia Vachalec, Partnerships & Industry Lead – Loop Australia & New Zealand, Arrow Bronze
A mushroom. A surfer. An Australian first. What began as a university idea in Delft has now landed on an Australian beach, been explored through First Nations conversations, presented to industry leaders and chosen by an Australian family. The Living Cocoon™ does not initially look like a technology story — and it certainly does not look like something grown from mushrooms. But that surprise may be exactly what makes people reconsider what sustainable design could look like. Because sometimes the most futuristic material isn’t invented in a factory. It is already growing beneath our feet. General information
About Loop Biotech Loop Biotech is a family-owned biotechnology company based in Delft, the Netherlands, founded five years ago from a graduation project at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The company develops a new generation of grown, regenerative products, including coffins and urns for people and pets, made from mycelium and plant-based fibres. Loop products are available in more than 12 countries and have been used in more than 10,000 funerals and memorials worldwide. The Loop Living Cocoon™ was named one of TIME's Best Inventions. About Arrow Bronze Arrow Bronze is an Australian company and manufacturer that has supported the Australian and New Zealand memorialisation sector for more than 85 years. Through its exclusive partnership with Loop Biotech, Arrow Bronze is introducing regenerative funeral and memorial products across the region, supported by local distribution, training, education and partner services.
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Industry Insights
Media Contacts Loop Biotech Bob Hendrikx - Inventor & Founder Phone: +31 6 1774 7426 Email: bobhendrikx@loop-biotech.com Website: www.loop-biotech.com Arrow Bronze | Exclusive Australian & New Zealand Partner Sonia Vachalec - Partnerships & Industry Lead – Loop Australia & New Zealand Phone: 0419 006 246 Email: Sonia.Vachalec@arrowbronze.com.au Website: www.arrowbronze.com.au Grace Funerals Asha Dooley - Funeral Director Phone: +61 478 055 264 Email: asha@gracefunerals.com.au Website: www.gracefunerals.com.au Media Kit Click here to download high-resolution images, videos and press materials Launch Video Watch the 1-minute launch video: https://youtu.be/GfQdY6B91uc
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Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Industry Insights
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 39
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ACCA news
47
Autumn 2018
Events
Industry Events 2027 We are increasingly becoming an international/global business community. The following is a snapshot of the industry conferences and seminars we have been informed of for 2027. Web links to the organisations are below. If you would like further contact details of any of the organisations listed, please contact the Secretariat Office. Do you have any upcoming event you would like us to promote, or did we miss an event? Please email admin@accaweb.com.au Some of the events listed on this page may be cancelled or postponed. Please contact each organisation directly if you have any uncertainty or questions.
CCAV
WEBSITES
Annual General Meeting 16 October 2026 - Venue TBC
ACCA
accaweb.com.au
Annual Conference 2027 Event information to be confirmed
AFE
asiafuneralexpo.com
AIE
aieptyltd.org
CANA
cremationassociation.org
CASA
cemeteriessa.com.au
CBCE
cbce.org.uk
CCANSW
ccansw.org.au
CCAV
ccav.org.au
CCC
catholiccemeteryconference.org
CSGB
cremation.org.uk
Devota
devota.at
FA
funeralsaustralia.org.au
FBCA
fbca.org.uk
CCASA
FDA (NSW)
fdansw.com.au
Event information to be confirmed
FDANZ
fdanz.org.nz
CANA
FIAT-IFTA
thanos.org
IAPCC
iaopc.com
ICF
int-crem-fed.org
ICCFA
iccfa.com
ICCM
iccm-uk.com
MBNA
monumentbuilders.org
NAFD (UK)
nafd.org.uk
NFDA
nfda.org
NFDA (RSA)
nfda.org.za
NFDA (Aus)
nfda.com.au
NZCCC
nzcemeteriescrematoria.co.nz
TanExpo
tanexpo.com
CCAWA
Annual one day seminar & AGM 29–30 April 2027- Ingot Hotel in Belmont, WA
AFE
Asia Funeral and Cemetery Expo and Conference Event information to be confirmed
CBCE
Cremation & Burial Communication & Education Event information to be confirmed
FUNERALS AUSTRALIA
National Convention 2027 Event information to be confirmed
CCANSW
Event information to be confirmed
Event information to be confirmed
THE CREMATION SOCIETY
Tuesday 22nd - Thursday 24th June 2027 Hilton St George’s Park, Burton-upon-Trent For more information: www.cbce.org.uk
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
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Member Directory ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Animal Welfare League SA PO Box 1525, Port Adelaide, SA, 5015 p: (08) 8256 3110 Auckland Memorial Park PO Box 391, Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand e: gm@ampl.co.nz p: 64273003707 Besi Belalis Locked Bag 5123, Parramatta, NSW 2124 e: besi.belalis@cemeteries.nsw.gov.au p: (02) 9842 8473 Mark Forgie PO Box 711, Gawler, SA 5118 e: bookings@northernrc.com.au p: (08) 8522 1734 Lucy Millena 26 Westfield Street Earlwood, NSW 2206 e: msmillena@yahoo.com.au p: (03) 9787 6993
ASSOCIATE FELLOW Warwick Hansen OAM 16 Akala Avenue, Forster NSW 2428 e: warwick@warwickhansen.com.au p: 0418 421 421
EMERITUS FELLOW MEMBERS Lynwood Davis VIC, Australia e: lhd1952@bigpond.net.au p: 0419 321 993 Shirley Cooke VIC, Australia e: shrlcooke11@gmail.com
North Sydney NSW 2060 e: info@invocare.com.au p: (02) 9978 5200 Lake Macquarie Memorial Park 405 Cessnock Rd, Ryhope NSW 2283 p: (02) 4950 5727 w: www.lakemacquariecrem.com.au Lakeside Memorial Park 230 Kanahooka Rd, Kanahooka NSW 2530 p: (02) 4261 1200 w: www.lakesidecrem.com.au Lincoln Grove Memorial Gardens & Crematorium 1040 Gunnedah Road, Tamworth NSW 2340 e: info@lincolngrove.com.au p: (02) 6760 7311 Lithgow City Council PO Box 19, Lithgow, NSW 2790 e: council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au p: (02) 6354 9999 Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens Tweed Valley Way Chinderch NSW 2487 e: wes@heritagebrothers.com.au p: (02) 6674 3777 Metropolitan Memorial Parks C/- Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park 12 Military Rd, Matraville NSW 2036 e: esmp@mmplm.com.au p: 02 9661 5655 w: www.metropolitanmemorialparks.com.au Newcastle Memorial Park 176 Anderson Dr, Beresfield NSW 2322 p: (02) 4944 6000 w: www.newcastlecrem.com.au Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens & Crematorium
NSW, Australia
199 Delhi Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113 p: (02) 9887 2033 w: www.northernsuburbscrem.com.au
FULL MEMBERS
Pinegrove Memorial Park
Peter O’Meara (dec)
NEW SOUTH WALES Broulee Memorial Gardens 195 Broulee Rd, Broulee NSW 2537 p: (02) 4471 5867 w: www.bmgc.com.au Castlebrook Memorial Park 712-746 Windsor Rd, Rouse Hill NSW 2155 p: (02) 9629 1477 w: www.castlebrook.com.au Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria Trust Level 2/11 Murray Rose Ave, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127 e: enquiries@catholiccemeteries.com.au p: (02)8713 5726 Cessnock City Council PO Box 152, Cessnock, NSW 2325 e: cemetery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au p: (02) 4993 4300 Forest Lawn Memorial Park Camden Valley Way, Leppington NSW 2179 p: (02) 9606 5822 w: www.forestlawn.com.au InvoCare Australia Pty Limited Level 5, 40 Mount Street,
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Kington St, Minchinbury NSW 2770 p: (02) 9625 8066 w: www.pinegrovecrem.com.au Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council PO Box 90, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620 e: anna.corcoran@qprc.nsw.gov.au p: 0408 247 019 Rookwood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium Memorial Ave, Rookwood NSW 2141 p: (02) 9746 8945 w: www.rookwoodcrem.com.au Sapphire City Crematorium (Horder Family Funerals) 2 Delvyn Drive Inverell NSW 2360 e: phorder@horderfamilyfunerals.com.au p: (02) 6732 5911 Tweed Heads Memorial Gardens
Walkers Crematorium 75 Smith Street, Kempsey NSW 2440 e: rbwalkerpl@gmail.com p: (02) 6562 4329 Wollondilly Shire Council 62-64 Menangle Street, Picton NSW 2571 e: cemeteries@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au p: (02) 4677 1100
QUEENSLAND Albany Creek Memorial Park 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs QLD 4035 p: (07) 3263 3033 w: www.albanycreekcrem.com.au Allambe Memorial Park 129 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Nerang QLD 4211 p: (07) 5578 1699 w: www.allambe.com.au Balonne Shire Council PO Box 201, St George, QLD 4487 e: debbie.green@balonne.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4620 8888 Brisbane City Council Cemeteries & Crematoria 40A Kitchener Road, Kedron, QLD 4031 e: jade.sime@brisbane.qld.gov.au p: (07) 3178 4144 Bundaberg Crematorium and Memorial Park & Branyan Garden ‘Garden of Rest’ PO Box 768, Bundaberg QLD 4670 e: info@brownsfunerals.com.au p: (07) 4151 3357 Bundaberg Regional Council 91 Takalvan Street, MillBank, Bundaberg, QLD 4670 e: nicholas.burfield@bundaberg.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4130 4477 Burdekin Shire Council 145 Young Steet, AYR, QLD 4807 e: tonia.marano@burdekin.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4783 9800 Cairns City (Regional) Council PO Box 152 Cairns QLD 4870 e: regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4044 8378 Cassowary Coast Regional Council PO Box 887, Innisfail QLD 4860 e: hayley.accatino@ccrc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4043 8829 Centenary Memorial Gardens PO Box 3363, Mt Ommaney, QLD 4074 e: taniahoward@centenarymemorialgardens.com.au p: (07) 3271 1222 City of Moreton Bay PO Box 159, Caboolture, QLD 4510 e: darren.meinen@moretonbay.qld.gov.au p: (07) 3205 0555
176 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 p: (07) 5524 2428 w: www.tweedheadscrem.com.au
Darling Downs Cremation Service
Tweed Shire Council
Fraser Coast Crematorium (Ross Funerals)
PO Box 816, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 e: cemeteries@tweed.nsw.gov.au p: (02) 6670 2400
PO Box 1072, Hervey Bay QLD 4655 e: info@rossfunerals.com.au p: (07) 4124 7521
1020 Ruthven Street Toowoomba 4358 e: trevor@burstows.com.au p: (07) 4636 9600
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Member Directory Fraser Coast Regional Council
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Tablelands Regional Council
PO BOX 1943, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655 e: cemeteries@frasercoast.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4190 5857
PO Box 82 Gatton, QLD 4343 e: bsippel@lvrc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 5468 4989
PO Box 573, Atherton, QLD 4883 e: trcfacilities@trc.qld.gov.au p: 1300 362 242
Gladstone Regional Council
Logan City Council
Tallegalla Cemetery
PO Box 29, Gladstone, QLD 4680 e: parks@gladstone.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4970 0700
177 Chambers Flat Road, Marsden QLD 4132 e: kirstyquinn@logan.qld.gov.au p: (07) 3804 4609
City of Gold Coast
Mackay Regional Council
Rosewood Marburg Road, Tallegalla QLD 4340 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145
Chris Stockley e: CSTOCKLEY@goldcoast.qld.gov.au p: 0466 861 614
PO BOX 41, Mackay, QLD 4740 e: graham.day@mackay.qld.gov.au p: 1300 622 529
Great Northern Garden of Remembrance
Maryborough Crematorium
31-35 Tallowwood Drive, Deception Bay, QLD 4508 e: info@gngor.com.au p: (07) 3888 3535
140 Adelaide Street, Maryborough, QLD 4650 e: jks1865@bigpond.net.au p: (07) 4121 4183
Great Southern Memorial Park
PO Box 815, Mount Isa, QLD 4825 e: city@mountisa.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4747 3200
1774-1794 Mount Cotton Rd, Carbrook QLD 4130 p: (07) 3829 9999 w: www.greatsoutherncrem.com.au Gympie Cemetery Trust 93 Cartwright Rd, Gympie, QLD 4570 e: supervisor@gympiecemeterytrust.com.au p: (07) 5482 2199 Gympie Regional Council PO BOX 9, Liklivan, QLD 4600 e: nadia.bannerman@gympie.qld.gov.au p: (07) 5487 2311 Haigslea Lawn Cemetery Haigslea Road, Haigslea QLD 4306 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145 Heritage Brady Funeral Directors & Crematorium PO Box 58, Gordonvale, QLD 4865 e: chris@heritagebradyfunerals.com.au p: (07) 4056 1627 Hinchinbrook Shire Council PO Box 366 Ingham QLD 4850 e: vrusso@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4776 4607 Ipswich City Council 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich QLD 4305 e: graham.schultz@ipswich.qld.gov.au p: (07) 3810 7680 Ipswich Crematorium 12 Anderson Day Drive, Willowbank QLD 4306 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145 Ipswich General Cemetery Cnr Warwick Rd & Cemetery Road, Ipswich QLD 4305 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145 Kandanga Cemetery Trust PO Box 102 Kandanga QLD 4570 p: 07 5484 3302 e: secretary@kandangacemetery.com.au Livingstone Shire Council PO Box 2292, Yeppoon, QLD 4703 e: cemeteries@livingstone.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4913 5000
Mount Isa City Council
Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens 329 Nursery Rd, Holland Park QLD 4121 p: (07) 3349 2001 w: www.mtthompsoncrem.com.au Noosa Shire Council PO Box 141, Tewantin, QLD 4565 e: troy.andreassen@noosa.qld.gov.au p: (07) 5329 6454 Norwood Park Pty Ltd, Operating as Ipswich Cemeteries
Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance 1001 Ruthven St, Toowoomba QLD 4350 p: (07) 4635 4866 w: www.toowoombacrem.com.au Toowoomba Regional Council PO Box 3021, Toowoomba, QLD 4350 e: cemeteryofficer@toowoombarc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4688 6686 Townsville City Council PO Box 1268 Townsville QLD 4810 e: townsville.cemeteries@townsville.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4727 9754 Warrill Park Lawn Cemetery 12 Anderson Day Drive, Willowbank QLD 4306 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145 Western Downs Regional Council PO Box 551, Dalby, QLD 4405 e: info@wdrc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4679 4123 Whitsunday Regional Council
PO Box 4206, Raceview QLD 4305 e: sue@integrityfunerals.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145
PO Box 104, Proserpine, QLD 4800 e: info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4761 3823
Nudgee Cemetery & Crematorium
Woongarra Crematorium
493 St Vincent Road, Nudgee, QLD 4014 e: webbm@bne.catholic.net.au p: (07) 3324 3499
PO Box 2510, Idalia, QLD 4811 e: kyliem@woongarra.net.au p: (07) 4778 1476
Redland City Council
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
PO Box 21, Cleveland QLD 4163 e: cemetery@redland.qld.gov.au p: 07 3829 8570
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority
Rockhampton Crematorium PO Box 3015, North Rockhampton, QLD 4701 e: rockycrem@gmail.com p: (07) 4928 2126 Rockhampton Regional Council PO Box 1860, Rockhampton, QLD 4700 e: joanne.stratford@rrc.qld.gov.au p: (07) 4934 8374 Southern Downs Regional Council PO Box 26, Warwick, QLD 4370 e: mark.mcgowan@sdrc.qld.gov.au p: 1300 697 372 Stone Quarry Cemetery Lot 207, Stone Quarry Road, Jeebropilly QLD 4340 e: sue@norwoodpark.com.au p: (07) 5464 3145 Sunshine Coast Regional Council Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre e: cemeteries@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au p: (07) 5459 2300
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
PO Box 294 Enfield PlazaSA 5085 e: Michael.robertson@aca.sa.gov.au p: (08) 8139 7400 City of Salisbury PO Box 8, Salisbury, SA 5108 e: CGrocke@salisbury.sa.gov.au p: (08) 8406 8222 Drumminor Gardens Cemetery 61 Golden Grove Road, Ridgehaven, SA 5097 e: brenton@harrisonfunerals.com.au p: (08) 8265 6060 Mount Gambier Cemetery Trust PO Box 56, Mount Gambier, SA 5290 e: cmccombe@mountgambier.sa.gov.au p: (08) 8725 3099 North Road Cemetery 1A Cemetery Avenue Nailsworth, SA 5083 e: cemetery@adelaideanglicans.com p: (08) 8344 1051 Payneham & Dudley Park Cemeteries Trust Inc. Exeter Terrace, Dudley Park, SA 5008 e: admin@dudleyparkcemetery.com.au p: (08) 8344 2973
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Member Directory West Coast Memorial Park
Bunbury Cemetery Board
L.S. Piddington & Sons Pty Ltd
PO Box 1415, Port Lincoln, SA 5606 e: jennifer@westcoastfunerals.com.au p: (08) 8684 2001
PO Box 1115, Bunbury, WA 6231 e: info@bcb.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9721 3191
PO Box 4424, Armidale, NSW 2350 e: allan@piddingtons.com.au p: (02) 6772 2288
Yorke Peninsula Council
City of Mandurah
Mountain View Crematoria
PO Box 57 Maitland, SA, 5573 e: sue.beech@yorke.sa.gov.au p: (08) 8823 0000
3 Peel Street, Mandurah WA 6210 e: council@mandurah.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9550 3777
34 Belmore Street, Woolongong, NSW 2500 e: alan@hparsons.com.au p: (02) 4228 9622
VICTORIA
Geraldton Cemetery Board
National Granite Pty Ltd
Boroondara Cemetery Trust PO Box 565, Kew, VIC 3101 p: (03) 9853 7025
130 Eastward Road, Geraldton, WA 6530 e: ce@gcb.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9921 2707
BoxHill Cemetery Trust
Kalgoorlie - Boulder Cemetery Board
395 Middleborough Road, Box Hill VIC 3128 VIC p: (03) 9890 1229 e: admin@boxhillcemetery.com.au
PO Box 79, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430 e: admin@kbcb.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9091 1693
Tower 2, Level 14, 101 Grafton St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 e: lea-annm@opusxenta.com p: 1300 994 853
Geelong Cemeteries Trust
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board
141 Ormond Road, Geelong East, VIC 3219 e: ah@gct.net.au p: (03) 5249 3939
Phoenix
PO Box 53, Claremont, WA 6910 e: kathlene.oliver@mcb.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9383 5213
44 Duke St (PO Box 5), Uralla, NSW 2358 e: orders@phoenixfoundry.com.au p: (02) 6738 2200
Rememberance Parks Central Victoria
Shire of Meekatharra
PlotBox
PO Box 129, Meekatharra, WA 6642 e: dceo@meekashire.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9980 0600
Level 12/64 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 and The ECOS Centre, Kernohans Lane Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT43 7QA Northern Ireland e: info@plotbox.com p: 0401 123 897 p: (02) 7228 7971
P.O. Box 268, Eaglehawk VIC 3556 e: emma.flukes@rpcv.org,au p: 1300 266 561 Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust PO Box 1159, Clayton VIC 3169 e: ingrid.harvey@smct.org.au p: (03) 8558 8204
TASMANIA Carr Villa Memorial Park (City of Launceston) 36 Nunamina Avenue Kings Meadows 7249 TAS e: carrvilla@launceston.tas.gov.au p: (03) 6323 3604 Millingtons Cemeteries The Cottage, Queens Walk, Cornelian Bay, TAS 7008 e: twhitehead@millingtons.com.au p: (03) 6278 1244
INTERNATIONAL Ninness Funeral Home PO Box 50-347 Porirua New Zealand NZ 5240 p: (64)3042374174 P Day and Son Ltd 41 Nile Street, Nelson, New Zealand 7010 e: bevan@daysfuneralservices.co.nz p: 64 3 548 2770 Purewa Cemetery Trust Board 4a Parsons Road, Meadowbank Auckland, New Zealand 1071 e: alastaircrombie@purewa.co.nz p: 64 9 528 5599
PO Box 183, Sydney Markerts, NSW 2129 e: steve@nationalgranite.com.au p: (02) 9748 8567 OpusXenta Pty Ltd
Reliance Risk Pty Ltd Suite 604, Harley Place, 251 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 p: (02) 8377 1818 m: 0478 351 757 e: andrew.constantinou@reliancerisk.com Russell Investments GPO Box 3279, SYDNEY NSW 2001 e: jhampshire@russellinvestments.com p: (02) 9229 5375 Tyrrells Macquarie Park Memorials Pty Ltd
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
NEW SOUTH WALES
PO Box 176 North Ryde NSW 1670 p: (02) 9878 1714 e: nathan@tyrrellsmemorials.com.au
Canberra Memorials Parks (formerly Canberra Cemeteries)
Celeste Catering Pty Ltd
Zinnia Operations Pty Ltd
PO Box 37, Mitchell, ACT 2911 e: kerry.mcmurray@act.gov.au p: (02) 6207 0029
NORTHERN TERRITORY Alice Springs Town Council PO Box 1071, Alice Springs, NT 0871 e: astc@astc.nt.gov.au p: (08) 8950 0500 Thorak Regional Cemetery, Litchfield Shire Council PO Box 446, Humpty Doo, NT 0836 e: anthony.vanzeeventer@litchfield.nt.gov.au p: (08) 8947 0903
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Albany Cemetery Board PO Box 469, Albany, WA 6330 e: admin@acb.wa.gov.au p: (08) 9844 7766
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CORPORATE MEMBERS
5/481 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby NSW 2068 e: annie@celestecatering.com.au p: (02) 9808 1088 Everlon Unit 7/1-3 Nicholas St, Lidcombe, NSW 2141 e: info@everlon.com.au p: (02) 9646 3886 Frank Dimarco & Son Pty Ltd 14 Production Avenue, Kogarah, NSW 2217 e: alf@fgagranite.com.au p: (02) 9588 5477 Glory Marble & Granite 165 Hume Hwy, Greenacre, NSW 2190 e: mel@glorymarble.com.au p: (03) 9460 9066 Hickey & Co. Pty Ltd PO Box 13, Petersham, NSW 2049 e: paul@hickeyandco.com p: (02) 9564 1888
Level 32, 1 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 p: (02) 9212 2255 m: 0419 290 768 e: andrew@memoriabyzinnia.com.au
QUEENSLAND Daisybox Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 346, Peregian Beach, QLD p: 1300 801 248 Final Touch Australia Unit 3/13, Strathwyn St, Brendale, QLD 4500 e: chantelle@finaltouchaustralia.com.au p: (07) 3889 9607 Heritage Stonecraft & Design 4 Madison Court, Toowoomba QLD 4350 e: robert.heritagestone@gmail.com p: 0428 231 449 Hyqual Australia 31 Enterprise Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 e: office@hyqual.com p: 1800 77 77 44
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Member Directory Office of Australian War Graves
NORTHERN TERRITORY
GPO Box 9998, Brisbane, QLD 4001 e: Sheena.Lambie@dva.gov.au p: 1800 555 254
Territory Funerals
Worssell & Co Pty Ltd 70 Mica Street, Carole Park, QLD 4300 e: jade@worssell.com.au p: (07) 3271 1511
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Monumental Masons Association of SA Inc PO Box 10289, Adelaide BC, SA 5000 e: secretary@monumentalassociationsa.com.au p: 0439 276 461
VICTORIA Arrow Bronze P.O. Box 4576, Dandenong South, 3164 e: hymie.j@arrowbronze.com.au p: (03) 9794 2922 Austeng Pty Ltd 78-80 Douro Street, North Geelong, VIC 3215 e: lyn@austeng.net.au p: (03) 5278 2044 DP Jones & Co
PO Box 2711 Palmerston NT 0831 e: admin@territoryfunerals.com.au p: 0438 637 258
INTERNATIONAL Canterbury Memorial Gardens & Crematorium P O Box 19795, Woolston Christchurch 8241, New Zealand Facultatieve Technologies 80 Armstrong Way, Highland Park QLD 4211 Fu Shou Yuan Industrial Group Co Ltd No. 500, Lane 7270, Waiqingsong Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai 201700, China e: shuting@shfsy.com p: 86 21 5425 5151 Hamilton Park Cemetery Morrinsville Rd, Private Bag 3010, Hamilton 3240 New Zealand e: michelle.rivers@hcc.govt.nz p: 647 856 9604 Maunu Crematorium Ltd
PO Box 486, Kyabram, VIC 3619 e: info@dpjones.com.au p: (03) 5852 2661
PO Box 8043, Kensington, Whangarei, New Zealand 0145 e: info@maunucrematorium.co.nz p: 64 9437 5799
Giannarelli Holdings Pty Ltd
Milne Construction Australia Pty Ltd
303-305 Spring Street, Reservoir VIC 3073 e: ag-sons@iimetro.com.au p: (03) 9359 2142
Level 7 / 114 Williams Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 e: info@milneaustralia.com p: 0404 456 223
John Stonemart Pty Ltd 310 Mahoneys Road, Thomastown, VIC 3074 e: jacky@johnstonemart.com p: 03 9359 0898 Key Business Advisors Level 2, 445 Keilor Road, Niddrie, VIC, 3042 p: 03 9325 5900 e: colin@keyba.com.au Major Furnace Australia 92 Fairbank Road, Clayton South, VIC 3169 e: andrew.north@majoreng.com.au p: (03) 8558 1800 Memories Group Limited Level 1, 11-19 Bank Place Melbourne VIC 3000 e: ben.cukier@memories.net p: 0413 400 522 Morello/ Ashcroft Pty Ltd Unit 1, 33-35 Commercial Drive, Thomastown, VIC 3074 e: mandyr@cmorello.com.au p: (03) 9464 1700 Nelson Bros. Funeral Services PO Box 2237, Footscray, VIC 3011 e: nelsonbros@nelsonbros.com.au p: (03) 9687 1301
Mongolian Funeral Association 301 “New Mind” Building, Undsen Huuli Street 9/1, 5th Khoroo, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia 14253 e: info@mfa.mn p: +976 7011 1343 Ninness Funeral Home PO Box 50-347 Porirua New Zealand NZ 5240 (64) 3042374174 OrthoMetals Eekhorstweg 32, 7942KC Meppel, The Netherlands e: hidde@orthometals.nl p: +31 6 4306 6196 Taiyo Chikuro Industries Co Ltd 6-21 Higashi-koen, Hakata-Ku, Fukuoka, Japan e: s-eguchi@taiyochikuro.jp p: 0 8 92 651 4131 Xiao En Memorial Park Bhd Xiao En Centre, No.1, Jalan Kuari, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia e: kuan@xiao-en.com.my p: +603-9145 38
Norwalk Precast Burial Systems 47 Highlands Road, Seymour, VIC 3660 e: info@norwalk.com.au p: (03) 5799 0083 Paramount Bronze 303-305 Spring Street, Reservoir 3073 p: (03) 9654 3460
Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association
Spring Edition 2026 | ACCA News | 47