Options being explored for cemetery services
Published on 16 October 2025
Businesses are invited to show their level of interest in operating Council’s crematorium and cemeteries in a bid to provide Council with options on how these services could be managed into the future.
The aim of the expression of interest (EOI) process is to help Council understand what locations and functions companies see as viable to operate, and to inform a potential tender process for the provision of these services.
Mayor White said the proposal to put Bereavement Services to market follows the 2023 independent expert financial review that advised Council to evaluate its commercial business entities and to look for areas to reduce costs and increase revenue.
“This is our very first step looking at the market and assessing the potential benefits of outsourcing some or all of our crematorium and cemetery services,” Cr White said.
“The purpose of the EOI is to see whether this proposal makes good commercial sense and whether we should move to a tender phase,” she said.
“Bereavement services are vital to our community and this process will be handled with care and sensitivity for both Council staff and for the families who feel connected to our cemeteries.”
Shoalhaven Bereavement Services is a division of Council and is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of seven cemeteries where new burials occur (active) and 13 cemeteries where interments are no longer conducted (inactive). The EOI applies to the seven active cemeteries:
- Berry General Cemetery
- Conjola Cemetery
- Kangaroo Valley Cemetery
- Nowra General Cemetery
- Sandridge Cemetery
- Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens and Lawn Cemetery in Worrigee which includes a cremation facility.
- West Cambewarra Cemetery
While respondents can propose provision options to be assessed on their merit in the EOI, the form includes three possible options for businesses to indicate their level of interest. These include:
- The lease or management of the cremation facility Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens and Lawn Cemetery in Worrigee
- The lease or management of the entire Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens and Lawn Cemetery in Worrigee
- The management of cremations, burials and inurnment at all the active cemetery locations.
The nine-member Bereavement Services team has been consulted on the potential implications of the EOI process during this initial phase. The impact on staff and workplace structure remains uncertain until submissions are received in mid-November and interest is assessed. Staff will continue to be consulted throughout each stage of the process.
The EOI can be found on Council’s e-Tendering portal and closes on 5 November 2025.