Kiama Council is seeking community feedback on the Draft Cemeteries Operating Policy that guides operations for the three cemeteries it runs in Kiama (Bombo), Gerringong and Jamberoo.

The three cemeteries see around 100 burials and ash placements per year. However, Kendall’s cemetery (which is an important heritage cemetery accessed via an underpass under the Princes Highway from South Kiama Drive) is not part of this review as it is not operated by council. 

It is uncertain how the 440-house South Kiama subdivision will impact this heritage cemetery, which sits right in the middle of the planned housing estate.

Director Infrastructure & Liveability Michael Malone said developing a Cemeteries Operating Policy was important for people organising the burial or interment of a loved one, as well as the Council staff helping them.

Bombo is considered as almost full, and has issues with heritage graves and flooding which can prevent burials for weeks. This was an issue for former Kiama Independent editor Kevin Whalan’s family when his interment was delayed for eight days due to extensive flooding at Bombo Cemetery and a number of the drains were found to be completely blocked. 

Another issue is the management of celebrity graves such as Marc Hunter from the rock group Dragon at Gerringong Cemetery. 

“People booking a plot or niche are usually going through quite a hard time. They are often grief stricken, and it is difficult to think straight and take in information when we lose a loved one,” Mr Malone said.

“So, it is very important to be understanding and maintain empathy while being able to provide clear and simple information for them, to help them make their decisions.”

“We’ve always been good at providing a quality cemetery service. This new operating policy simply captures what we do, how we do it and why. It includes how we make decisions regarding our cemeteries, especially the options and costs for interment.”

The policy covers areas of operations such as:

• Customer service principles
• Religious and cultural principles
• Organising interment of bodily and cremated remains
• Specifications for headstones and monuments
• Fees

“This new policy sets out the standards we set ourselves, and our customers can expect from us, which is important given the trust placed in us caring for their loved ones.”