The Catholic section at Rookwood Cemetery

One of Australia's oldest and largest Catholic burial grounds, with burials from 1867 and home to the historic Sacred Heart Chapel (1928) and the Gothic Revival St Michael the Archangel Chapel (1890).

Location

Catholic sections within the Rookwood Necropolis, Lidcombe

Established

1867

Monument types

Traditional monumental and lawn sections across the Catholic grounds

Costs

A lawn plot at Rookwood Cemetery starts from $12,020. The headstone or monument is a separate cost, quoted by the mason.

See burial costs at Rookwood Cemetery →

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A section for every community

The Catholic grounds at Rookwood Cemetery reflect Sydney’s many migrant communities. Alongside the general Catholic areas, dedicated sections serve the Vietnamese, Croatian, Maronite, Polish, Ukrainian, Coptic, Chinese, Slovenian, Hungarian and Lithuanian communities, with further areas for Slovak, Chaldean, Melkite and Syrian families.

The facilities

The Catholic grounds at Rookwood have five on-site chapels for funeral services, alongside condolence lounges, dedicated parking and wheelchair access throughout.

Mary, Mother of Mercy Chapel

up to 160

The largest chapel, with live-streaming and recording, air-conditioning, undercover arrival and a condolence lounge alongside.

Mausoleum of the Resurrection Chapel

up to 175

A contemporary chapel for large gatherings, with monthly Masses and full audio-visual facilities.

Sacred Heart Chapel

up to 100

Built in 1928 and restored in 2011, with traditional Christian art and live-streaming.

St Michael the Archangel Chapel

up to 50

The Gothic Revival chapel from 1890, for burial rites and smaller services.

Waterway Pavilion

up to 100

Set among landscaped waterways with a cross-shaped skylight, suitable for memorials and interments.

What to know

Burial customs

Catholic funerals usually follow three stages: a vigil the night before, when family and friends gather to pray in the presence of the body, often praying the Rosary; the funeral in church, either a Requiem Mass or a funeral liturgy outside Mass; and the committal at the graveside, where the grave is blessed and the committal prayers are offered. Burial is the traditional practice. The Church permits cremation, provided the ashes are reverently interred in a cemetery, niche or memorial wall rather than scattered or kept at home.

The headstone

Monuments commonly bear a cross and Christian imagery, in upright monumental or lawn form; there is no fixed unveiling timing.

Visiting

Flowers and candles are common; families visit on anniversaries and All Souls' Day (2 November), praying for the deceased.

Inscriptions

Usually English, often 'In Loving Memory' or 'Rest in Peace', frequently with a cross.

More about Catholic burials in Sydney →Catholic headstones and designs →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Catholic section at Rookwood Cemetery?

Catholic sections within the Rookwood Necropolis, Lidcombe

What are the headstone rules in this section?

Catholic sections permit full monuments including crosses and religious imagery, alongside lawn areas with plaques; monuments follow Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria regulations and Catholic tradition.

What are the visiting customs?

Flowers and candles are common; families visit on anniversaries and All Souls' Day (2 November), praying for the deceased.

Other sections at Rookwood Cemetery