Industry Spotlight – Community and Sustainability at Adelaide Cemeteries

Industry Spotlight

Emerging Communities and Sustainability at Adelaide Cemeteries

The growth of new and emerging community groups in the suburbs of metro Adelaide has spearheaded the evolution of how Adelaide’s leading cemetery provider does business.

Adelaide Cemeteries operates four cemeteries across Adelaide, with their flagship Enfield Memorial Park located just 10km from the CBD, as well as the heritagelisted West Terrace dating back to the earliest days of Adelaide. Smithfield Memorial Park, the youngest of the four cemeteries has recently become South Australia’s largest cemetery, with capacity to grow and supply the community of South Australia for many generations to come.

In recent years, the local area has seen rapid growth of new housing developments, with uptake from new Australians, young families and in particular migrant communities. With ample space for expansion and personalisation, Adelaide Cemeteries have been actively working with local community groups to provide bespoke spaces and gardens that embody the traditions and spirit of these community groups.

Adelaide Cemeteries newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Michael Robertson will continue the work of outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Robert Pitt who redefined how Adelaide Cemeteries are used and perceived in the community by working collaboratively with local communities which Michael says is essential for the longevity of cemeteries within South Australia; “While they may be relatively unknown in South Australia, each of these vibrant community groups represent unique traditions and beliefs that date back for thousands of years. Taking these traditions and history into consideration when planning and developing new gardens and offerings means that these communities have a truly unique and fitting place to inter their loved ones, while creating new traditions and familiarity with Adelaide Cemeteries for generations to come.”

The Adelaide Chin Community, which has experienced more than 900% growth since 2006, is one of these communities that Adelaide Cemeteries have worked collaboratively with – with the Adelaide Chin Community Memorial Garden opening in May this year. This new garden at Smithfield Memorial Park allows room for 150 burials in its first stage, as well as private areas of reflection and unique theming to reflect the vibrant and intricate fabric patterns that are produced by the community. The opening was attended by MPs, Local Government Officials and a large proportion of the Chin Community, cementing how important providing these dedicated areas are. Late in 2021, Adelaide Cemeteries was also part of a pilot program to provide a memorial park dedicated to reburial of Kaurna ancestral remains. Supported by the Premier of South Australia’s pilot grant and working closely with the South Australian Museum, the Kaurna community successfully created Wangayarta, a new type of burial place that is uniquely Kaurna. With soil brought from the furthest reaches of Kaurna land in the North, East, South and West, the memorial garden includes over 5,000 shrubs, trees and ground-covers with the traditional food and medicine and the colours, sounds and smells that the ancestors grew up with shading and surrounding them.

The focus of community is not only being implemented at Smithfield Memorial Park but across each of Adelaide Cemeteries sites. Enfield Memorial Park is part-way through the largest expansion since its inception, with a new $25 million Multi-Function Community Precinct due for completion in early 2023. This community precinct will include a public café, florist, nature play space and room for up to 500 guests in a single space. This facility, spearheaded by Michael’s vision for environmental sustainability will also provide capacity for up to five cremators with European standard Full-Filtration Systems, reducing emissions by more than 90% – the first in the Southern Hemisphere to do so.