Rookwood Crematorium celebrates 100 years of service and a new chapter under Metropolitan Memorial Parks

After a 99-year private lease, Australia’s oldest continuously operating crematorium begins a new chapter under the stewardship of Metropolitan Memorial Parks, and with an extra spring in its step thanks to a significant upgrade to the building and grounds.

The NSW Government’s Crown land manager and cemetery operator, Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP), assumed stewardship of Rookwood Crematorium on 1 July 2025, replacing a private operator. 

 CEO Denise Ora said that MMP was honoured to act as steward of the crematorium. 

“As with Rookwood General Cemetery, Rookwood Crematorium is of immense social and historical significance to the community,” Ms Ora said. “Our ongoing stewardship of Rookwood Crematorium strengthens our commitment to the families that we serve and enhances our effort to provide sustainable and affordable interment options across Greater Sydney.” 

Key features of the recent upgrade include checks and improvements to the cremators; a renovation of the administration office; audit and development of new memorialisation products; installation in chapels of modern audio and visual equipment; and a refresh and repair of visitor amenities, including benches, garden beds and heritage fountains. 

Looking to the future, MMP has also awarded a contract to landscape architecture firm Taylor Brammer to develop a long-term precinct plan.      

The Rookwood Crematorium Precinct Plan will be aligned with the NSW Public Spaces Charter and will guide the management of the crematorium and surrounding land, including new visitor experiences and development of additional burial and ash interment capacity. 

“We want people to visit Rookwood Crematorium not only for services, but to experience the unique architecture of the building and grounds,” MMP Executive Director Strategic Planning, Infrastructure and Assets, Brad Milner, said.  “We’re continuously looking at how we can enhance these unique assets, which will better enable us to meet Sydney’s burial and cremation needs into the future.” 

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Rookwood Crematorium, Metropolitan Memorial Parks has dedicated a new monument and installed a time capsule within. 

The Rookwood Crematorium centenary monument is a five-tier sandstone monument topped by a bronze waratah flower containing decorative elements reflecting the varied architectural styles of the crematorium. The monument was built and designed by the MMP monumental stonemasons team, led by Heritage Stonemason Sach Killam. 

Installed within the monument is a bronze time capsule featuring both physical and digital assets, such as a pledge of good stewardship from MMP’s CEO, Denise Ora; a letter from the NSW Government’s Lands and Property Minister Hon. Stephen Kamper MP; and various digital and historical records of the crematorium. 

Pictured: Hayden Smith, Andrew Roy, Denise Ora, Alex Dexter, Sach Killam

"We cherish each and every monument that we repair, but having the opportunity to design, carve and install a new monument which celebrates the past 100 years and looks forward to the next 100, is a privilege for our team,” Mr Killam said. 

Opened in 1925 and designed by architect Frank Bloomfield, Rookwood Crematorium is listed in the National Trust of Australia Register due to its social and historical significance.