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).

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Location

Catholic sections within the Rookwood Necropolis, Lidcombe

Established

1867

Monument types

Traditional monumental and lawn sections across the Catholic grounds

What to know

Burial customs

A Funeral Mass is followed by committal at the graveside, where the grave is blessed and prayers are offered. Burial is traditional; cremation is permitted, with ashes interred rather than scattered.

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.

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.

See burial costs at Rookwood Cemetery →

More about Catholic burials in Sydney →

Frequently asked

Where is the Catholic section at Rookwood Cemetery?

Catholic sections within the Rookwood Necropolis, Lidcombe

What are the headstone rules in this section?

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

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