The opening of a dedicated Jewish burial area at Macarthur Memorial Park (MMP) is a significant milestone.
The area will ensure Jewish burial space is available for future generations, just as Rookwood along with Macquarie Park, Botany and Woronora have for the past 150 years.
For decades to come, this new area allows Jewish families to be buried together, preserving traditions and heritage for generations to come.
MMP has 113 hectares of landscaped open space, walking paths, a café (not kosher), and a sculpture park. Physically, it is a thoughtful design respecting Indigenous and colonial heritage.
Background
Sydney’s Jewish cemeteries — including those at Rookwood, Botany, Woronora and Macquarie Park — have long served our community, but in recent years have faced critical space shortages. Without intervention, the Jewish community was projected to run out of graves available to be purchased within a few years . The need for a long-term solution became urgent.
The Macarthur Memorial Park is situated in the Scenic Hills, running from Denham Court in the north to the Australian Botanic Gardens at Mount Annan in the south.
For more than a decade, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies in collaboration with the Sydney Beth Din and the Sydney Chevra Kadisah has led efforts to secure new burial land for the Jewish community, by:
- Advocating consistently to successive NSW Governments, raising the alarm about the shrinking availability of Jewish burial plots since as early as 2005.
- Working closely with the Sydney Beth Din and the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria (CCC) to ensure the Jewish community’s needs were understood and met in the planning of Macarthur Memorial Park.
- Helping negotiate the first consecrated Jewish section within the first stage development of the park, with dedicated areas that comply with halacha. including provisions for Shomer Shabbat families. (Jewish sections are also planned for the subsequent development stages.)
- Engaging community stakeholders and provided guidance on cultural, legal and religious requirements to ensure the site could truly serve the Jewish community in full accordance with our burial traditions.
Frequent Asked Questions:
We understand that this new option can raise many questions.
Below you’ll find answers to common queries about the Macarthur Memorial Park Jewish section, from religious practices to location, pricing, and logistics.
Why was a new burial site needed for the Jewish community?
Sydney’s Jewish cemeteries — including Rookwood, Botany, Woronora and Macquarie Park — are approaching the end of their operational lifespans, raising significant concerns about the future availability of Jewish burial sites. Without a sustainable, long-term solution, many Jewish families face the distressing prospect of losing access to culturally and religiously appropriate burial options. In response to this growing need, Macarthur Memorial Park will introduce a series of fully consecrated Jewish sections, with the first section expected to be consecrated in May 2025.
This initiative will safeguard the tradition and continuity of Jewish burials in Sydney for generations to come.
Where is it located?
- Location: 166 St Andrews Road, Varroville – approximately 50–70 minutes from Sydney’s eastern suburbs. While Varroville is further from Eastern Sydney.
It is worth noting that when Rookwood Cemetery opened in 1867, it also felt distant from the Jewish community at the time. Today, the journey to Macarthur Memorial Park is comparable to the travel time Jewish families once took to Rookwood.
Is there parking?
Macarthur Memorial Park provides ample parking facilities to accommodate visitors, ensuring ease of access for all.
Those attending services at the purpose-built service room — which has been thoughtfully designed to support Jewish services, will benefit from convenient on-site parking.
The service room features a basement car park offering 82 spaces, including 4 designated for disabled access, along with a ground-level car park providing 102 spaces, including 3 disabled-access spots.
This ensures the comfort and accessibility of all guests attending services.
Are public transport options available from the Eastern Suburbs?
While current public transport options from Sydney’s eastern suburbs to Varroville are limited, accessibility is expected to improve in the coming years. Visitors can travel by train from Central Station and connect to local bus services running from Minto to St Andrews Road. For added convenience, Macarthur Memorial Park is just a short 7-minute Uber or taxi ride from Minto Train Station, providing a practical solution for those relying on public transport.
Is the Jewish section fully compliant with halacha?
The first Jewish section at Macarthur Memorial Park has been developed in full consultation with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (NSWJBD), the Sydney Beth Din, and the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, ensuring that all burial arrangements meet halachic standards.
This section is clearly marked on the map on the right.
All Jewish burial areas will be fully consecrated and separate, in accordance with halacha.
For heterosexual married couples, burial is anticipated to be one above the other in a single grave, as approved by the Sydney Beth Din in 2014, with other family arrangements in a single grave also considered on a case-by-case basis.
Macarthur Memorial Park staff will be specifically trained in the requirements of Jewish funerals and burials to ensure respectful and correct practices.
The current convention that all Jewish clergy may arrange funerals with the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and conduct services at the park will continue.
Additionally, where needed, non-Jewish relatives may be buried in adjacent, non-Jewish areas to preserve family proximity.
Will there be the possibility of funerals on Sundays and public holidays?
Yes, Jewish burials at Macarthur Memorial Park will be possible on Sundays and public holidays, similar to existing arrangements at other cemeteries. However, it is important to note that additional costs will apply on these days due to staff penalty and overtime rates. Out of respect for broader community sensitivities, Jewish burials have traditionally been avoided on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, and this practice is expected to continue.
Rabbis have requested further detail regarding the additional costs associated with Sunday and public holiday burials, and this information is currently being sought.
What types of graves will be available?
Macarthur Memorial Park will offer both monumental and lawn graves, providing families with a choice that respects personal preferences.
Will there be a section for stillborn deaths or miscarriages?
Yes, there will be a designated area for this purpose
When a person buys a grave, will that person own it?
As with other cemeteries in NSW, individuals do not own a grave at Macarthur Memorial Park. Instead, what is purchased is a perpetual interment right, which provides the assurance that a Jewish person may be buried in a specific grave and that their remains will be left undisturbed forever, in accordance with Jewish tradition.
Can a grave be pre-purchased with a payment plan ?
Yes, Macarthur Memorial Park offers the option for individuals to pre-purchase their final resting place.
This allows for peace of mind and ensures that personal wishes are respected. Flexible payment plans are available, giving individuals the opportunity to pay over time before the site is needed. Those interested in this option are encouraged to discuss arrangements directly with Macarthur Memorial Park.
Will there be any change to Jewish funeral practices?
No, Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria (CCC) will not interfere with Jewish burial practices. On the contrary, CCC is committed to respecting all Jewish religious requirements and is already working in close collaboration with the Sydney Chevra Kadisha to ensure that all practices at Macarthur Memorial Park align with halachic standards.
Will services continue to be available at the Chevra in Woollahra?
Yes, there is no change to the availability of services at the Chevra Kadisha premises in Woollahra — families may continue to use this location as they have in the past. Alternatively, Macarthur Memorial Park offers a more convenient and halachically appropriate option by accommodating both chapel and graveside services on-site. For larger gatherings, the on-site Chapel can seat up to 240 people, providing a respectful and spacious environment for Jewish funeral services.
What has been the role of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Chevra Kadisha?
The establishment of dedicated Jewish burial space at Macarthur Memorial Park is the result of more than a decade of advocacy led by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, who worked tirelessly with governments and planning authorities to secure this outcome. Throughout the process, the Sydney Beth Din and the Sydney Chevra Kadisha have provided essential religious oversight, ensuring that every aspect of the site and burial procedures fully complies with halachic requirements and is appropriate for Jewish burial.
What facilities are available for Jewish funerals?
Macarthur Memorial Park offers a dedicated chapel designed in accordance with halachic guidelines, available for Jewish services at a cost of $475.50 for a one-hour service. The facility includes a glass-enclosed “coffin aquarium”, allowing for the required separation for Cohanim, following the established Lyndhurst model. Additional amenities include a cool room for overnight stays for the deceased, space for a Shomer, a private condolence room, and a function space suitable for gatherings or minyanim. For those unable to attend in person, livestreaming and recording services are also available, ensuring broader participation and accessibility.
Can non-Jewish relatives be buried nearby?
Yes, while the consecrated Jewish section at Macarthur Memorial Park is reserved exclusively for individuals of the Jewish faith, it is anticipated that nearby burial options will be available for non-Jewish relatives. This arrangement allows interfaith couples and families to be buried in close proximity, while still upholding the halachic sanctity of the dedicated Jewish burial area.
How are burials arranged?
At-need burial arrangements at Macarthur Memorial Park are coordinated by the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, ensuring that all time-sensitive requirements and halachic obligations are met with care and precision. For those wishing to pre-purchase, arrangements can be made through either the Sydney Chevra Kadisha or Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria (CCC). Eligibility for pre-purchase is confirmed in advance by the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, in consultation with congregational rabbis, to ensure full alignment with religious standards.
What support is available for families experiencing financial hardship?
No Jewish person will ever be denied a Jewish funeral or burial due to financial hardship. The Compassionate Assistance Program exists to provide reduced fees or payment support for those in need. Applications for assistance are handled through the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and, where appropriate, should be accompanied by a letter of support from a congregational rabbi or communal organisation leader. This ensures that dignity in death is accessible to all members of the community, regardless of financial circumstances.
