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By Anthony Perl
There was a time when the only thing that distinguished one Memorial Park from another was its age. Traditions were established amongst cultures, religions and family groups as to which, if any, of our cemeteries or crematoria they would choose to inter the remains of the deceased. What we are seeing in Sydney is a move away from this outlook. The focus is very much more on local parks, rather than the traditional ones. In particular, this is what distinguishes Pine Grove, Lakeside, Forest Lawn and Castlebrook from the rest.
Where people live their lives is an important decision, equally, the final resting place is being viewed in a similar light. Taking advantage of the local environment is what separates many of the Parks. The legacy then becomes for family and friends to experience those same unique qualities. When you travel to Pine Grove in Sydney’s west, Lakeside in the Illawarra, Forest Lawn in Sydney’s south-west and Castlebrook in the north-west of Sydney, you discover that cemeteries and crematoria are no longer places where abandoned graves swell up to the horizon. Instead, you find forest-like surrounds, beautiful lakes, rolling hills and streams. Mixed among this, you also find the requirements of individual cultures or religions being catered for as strictly required.
Memorials have also become reflective of the individual. There are literally hundreds of possibilities, from the traditional to memorials based around gardens, statues and streams. Families are now more receptive to the notion of establishing a place where they may all come to rest in time. The beauty, peace and tranquillity offered in these four parks in particular, is in contrast to the eerie neglect of those Hollywood images of cemeteries where historical figures now lie. The historical cemeteries have their place, but establishing new traditions in local parks is the direction these leading Sydney Parks have taken. They provide an atmosphere within the park environment in which to leave a lasting tribute to family and friends. Somewhere that is reflective of the individual for future generations to understand and trace their own history.
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