Cemeteries and memorials

Cemeteries

• In 2007 the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board opened the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park, located within Baldivis.  

  This cemetery is still open to the purchase of new Grant of Right of Burial, and all enquiries regarding grants, burials, placement of ashes, or horticultural maintenance should be directed to the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.

  The Rockingham Regional Memorial Park also has a diverse range of memorials available including:

  • granite memorial seats
  • garden of remembrance
  • reflection walls
  • garden ground niche
  • limestone rockery
  • family trees
  • granite niche walls
  • wooden memorial benches

  Additional information including a map of the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park can be found on the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board websiteopens in a new window. 

  Location

  Baldivis Road, Baldivis

• History of the Cemetery

  East Rockingham Cemetery was established in 1866 and the first interment was of Joseph Broughton, on 13 October 1867.  The exact location of his plot is not known, however a plaque to commemorate his interment has been placed on the front stone wall of the cemetery in the Anglican A section.
  
  For the following 60 years, East Rockingham settlers were buried in the cemetery without any records being kept.  In 1929, the Roads Board realised the scope of the problem and with the assistance of the Karrakatta Cemetery Board, long-time local resident John Bell was called upon to assist with the recording of names and locations of persons buried in the cemetery.
  
  However, a burial register was not started until 1937 and many earlier interments that were not marked with a headstone are unknown.
  
  In 1993, the cemetery was enlarged and the new area was laid out as lawn sections. Also in 1993, the first niche wall, made of granite, was built and a further four brick niche walls have been constructed since this time.
  
  In 2007 the name of this cemetery was officially altered to include the word “Pioneer” to better reflect the historical significance of the cemetery to the Rockingham region. On 1 November 2007 an agreement was made with the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board for the undertaking of burials and placing of ashes at East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery.

  A plan of the cemetery providing a location guide of all sections within the cemetery can be downloaded below.

  Current Information

  At its Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 April 2024, the City of Rockingham Council revoked the Council Policy - East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery (ERPC) Burial. The rescinding of this policy was in line with State legislation.

  A closure order for the ERPC was issued by the WA Governor for 1 July 2009. Under this order, burials at this cemetery were discontinued with the exception of those who held a valid Grant of Right of Burial (Grant), which stopped being issued on 1 July 2009.

  A Grant is personal and for the persons whose name it is issued under only. A Grant does not grant you veto over the entire burial plot, meaning if you have a family member or loved one buried at this cemetery and had intended to be laid to rest with them you would need a valid Grant for this to happen. Having a relation buried at this site does not automatically permit you the right to also be buried here.

  There are a variety of options available to affected families, including the City offering valid ERPC Grant holders the opportunity to transfer their Grant to the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park to allow for future flexibility should they want family buried with/near them.

  For further information contact us on 9528 0333opens in a new window or email customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.

  FAQ

  Can I be buried at the East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery (ERPC)?

  Only if you hold a valid Grant of Right of Burial that was issued before 1 July 2009.

  I have seen the ERPC is a closed cemetery, what does this mean?

  A closure order for the ERPC was issued by the WA Governor for 1 July 2009. This means burials at this cemetery were discontinued with the exception of those who held a valid Grant that was issued prior to this date. A Grant has a 25-year validity meaning no further burials will take place at this site after 1 July 2034 (25 years from when the cemetery was closed and no further Grants were issued).

  I have family buried at ERPC, can I be buried with them?

   If you have a family member or loved one buried at this cemetery and had intended to be laid to rest with them you would need a valid Grant for this to happen. A valid Grant is one that:

  1. Was issued by either the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) or by the City of Rockingham.
  2. Remains valid on the proposed burial date[1].
  3. Is in the name of the deceased.
  4. Specifies the ERPC on the Grant.
  5. Has not been transferred or surrendered since 1 July 2009.

  Having a relation buried at this site does not automatically grant you the right to also be buried here.

  ---

  [1] Please note that all Grant of Right of Burial (GROBs) expire 25 years after the date of issue.  This applies even if no expiry is specified on the GROB. Any GROB without a date of issue is deemed to have expired in 2011.

  Where else can I be buried in Rockingham?

  The Rockingham Regional Memorial Park (RRMP) is the principal burial location for City of Rockingham residents.

  Related documents

  • East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery Map 105.4 KB

  Location

  Mandurah Road, East Rockingham

• With the adoption of Council Policy – Memorials in Public Places, memorial plaques within the City were transitioned to a set life of 25 years. This 25 year grant of tenure applies to all existing and future placements from 28 April 2021. Upon expiry of the 25 year period, all plaques will be removed and every effort will be made to contact the registered applicant to collect the plaque from the City’s Administration Building.

  What types of memorials does the City allow?

  Council Policy – Memorials in Public Places recognises that the appropriate place to memorialise people is within the grounds of the district’s two existing cemeteries: East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery or Rockingham Regional Memorial Park.

  An application can be made to install a temporary roadside memorial cross only to mark the location of a fatal road accident.

  What if I have reserved a space on the Waikiki Wall?

  If you have reserved a space and paid a deposit to place a plaque on the Waikiki wall, you will be able to use your placement when the time comes.

  Placement of your plaque will still be subject to the 25 year grant from 28 April 2021.

  If you wish to withdraw your application or do not use your reserved space within 25 years from 28 April 2021, please contact the City for a full refund of your deposit.

  Is there anywhere other than the cemetery to place a memorial?

  No, the policy recognises that the appropriate place to memorialise people is within the grounds of the district’s two existing cemeteries: East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery or Rockingham Regional Memorial Park.

  The Rockingham Regional Memorial Parkopens in a new window is purpose built, providing a peaceful and secure environment with many options for commemoration.

  What if my plaque is missing or damaged?

  Applications to replace damaged or stolen plaques will be approved. Costs associated with the replacement are the responsibility of the applicant.

  The expiry date of the grant will not change.

  What happens at the end of the 25 year grant?

  All remaining memorial plaques will be removed. The City will make every effort to contact the registered applicants to arrange collection.

  What if I place or replace a plaque in the next 25 years?

  All plaques placed or replaced following the adoption of Council Policy – Memorials in Public Places will be removed 25 years from 28 April 2021.

  How do I remove my plaque now or before the 25 years?

  If you wish to have an existing plaque removed from a wall, bench or roadside, please contact the City in writing customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.

  The City will remove the plaque, free of charge, and contact you when your plaque is available for collection from the Administration Building.

  What if the deceased has made a significant contribution to the City?

  Requests can be made to name a park or building after an individual. If all criteria are met and the request is supported, the City will submit the request to the Geographic Names Committeeopens in a new window for approval.

  Applications must be made in writing and must provide evidence of:

  • the deceased having had a direct and long-term association with the location and having made a significant contribution to the area;
  • the application being in the public interest;
  • broad community support for the proposal.

• The Waikiki Memorial Wall is located at Waikiki foreshore just a few metres south of the Safety Bay Road and Malibu Road intersection.

  The existing blank spaces on the memorial wall have already been reserved, and there is no capacity to install new memorial plaques, however an application can be made to replace existing plaques with dual plaques to include another family member. For further enquiries, please email us at customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au or call 9528 0333.

  Replacement of existing plaques will be subject to the 25 year grant commencing 28 April 2021.

• The Rockingham Memorial Wall was renewed and reinstated during the revitalisation of the Rockingham Foreshore precinct in 2019. 

  There is no capacity to install new memorial plaques, however an application can be made to replace existing plaques with dual plaques to include other family members.  For further enquiries, please email us at customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au or call 9528 0333.

  Replacement of existing plaques will be subject to the 25 year grant commencing 28 April 2021.

• The City is no longer taking applications for memorial benches, however an application can be made to replace existing plaques with dual plaques to include other family members. For further enquiries, please email us at customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au or call 9528 0333.

  Replacement of existing plaques will be subject to the 25 year grant commencing 28 April 2021.

  If you have an existing expression of interest relating to a new memorial bench, the City is unable to facilitate your request. You are directed to the Rockingham Regional Memorial Parkopens in a new window for consideration of one of their memorial options.

• The loss of a loved one in a traffic accident is very distressing.

  The City of Rockingham’s Memorials in Public Places Policy allows the placing of temporary roadside crosses for a period of 26 months following the loss of a friend or family member. There is no cost to place a roadside cross, however an application is required to ensure that the City can contact you if there is a need to move the memorial for road or utility works.

  Please read our policy and Specification for a Roadside Cross before completing an application.

  Apply onlineopens in a new window

  Related documents

  • Specification for a Roadside Cross 86.7 KB
  • Application for a Roadside Memorial Cross 168.4 KB