First shrouded cremation in NSW since changes

According to the wishes of the deceased John Lines (92), known to friends and family as a lover of simplicity and innovation, his body was wrapped in a cloth covering and placed in a wooden bearer instead of a coffin before being cremated.

Acting CEO Simon Officer said that Metropolitan Memorial Parks was committed to empowering everyday Australians with more end-of-life choices.

“We’re heartened that Australians are starting to think more about their end-of-life choices, and we’re proud to now feature shrouded cremations in our service offering to the community,” Mr Officer said. “Whether your motivations are driven by religion, a love of nature, or a desire for simplicity, we will work with you and your loved ones to realise those dreams.”

The shrouded cremation was made possible thanks to recent changes to the Public Health Regulation 2022 enabling NSW Health to approve the cremation of a person not in a coffin. Metropolitan Memorial Parks became the first cemetery operator in NSW to receive such an approval, carrying out the shrouded cremation on Tuesday morning at Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium in Sydney’s south.

Welcoming the milestone was Life Rites Founder and Director Victoria Spence, whose company organised the ceremony for the deceased.

“We’re proud to have collaborated with both NSW Health and Metropolitan Memorial Parks to achieve this important milestone for our state,” Ms Spence said. “As a holistic funeral provider, Life Rites is all about offering more choice to service the needs of our diverse and growing communities.”

John Lines is survived by a large and loving family, including son and daughter Chris and Debby Lines.

“We’re pleased that we could farewell dad in a gentle, respectful and dignified way, which honoured his wish for simplicity,” Ms Lines said. “As a very forward-thinking man, he would have been delighted to contribute to change which promotes more choice, independence and inclusivity.”

Metropolitan Memorial Parks currently offer shrouded cremation at Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium, and at a later date, will roll out the service to other memorial parks that feature a crematorium.

Those include Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park and Crematorium, Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, and Rookwood General Cemetery and Crematorium.

For more information regarding cremation and memorialisation services, please contact either your local funeral director or one of our memorial parks.

Image credit: Bellacouche