Cemetery contractors

Find out your requirements as a contractor for carrying out works in Council's cemeteries: 

  1. Funeral directors
  2. Monumental mason
  3. Gravedigger

1. Funeral directors

All funeral directors carrying out works in Cessnock City Council cemeteries must be licensed by Council. These licenses are valid for 12 months and are issued at the beginning of each financial year.

Funeral directors applying for a license should read the Works Within Council Cemeteries Guidelines(PDF, 907KB) and must provide the following paperwork:

Licensed funeral directors must complete an Order of Interment Application(PDF, 342KB) and Perpetual Interment Right Application(PDF, 161KB) (if required) to obtain permission to carry out a burial in one of Council’s cemeteries. Please email  these documents to cemetery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.

Applications must be completed for each individual burial and be submitted to Council at least 48 hours prior to the burial. Council will issue an authorisation to proceed in the form of an Order of Interment Certificate within 24 hours of receiving the application.


2. Monumental mason

All monumental masons carrying out works in Council cemeteries must be licensed by Council. These licenses are valid for 12 months and are issued at the beginning of each financial year.

Monumental Masons applying for a license should read the Works Within Council Cemeteries Guidelines(PDF, 907KB) and must provide the following paperwork:

A license will be issued to each employee who carries a current Green Card. These licenses must be carried at all times when working.

Monumental masons must complete an (PDF, 556KB)Application for Monumental Work(PDF, 158KB)  and email to cemetery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au in order to carry out works in one of Council’s cemeteries. This form should be completed for each individual monument.


3. Gravedigger

All grave diggers carrying out works in Council cemeteries must be licensed by Council. These licenses are valid for 12 months and are issued at the beginning of each financial year.

Grave diggers applying for a license should read the Works Within Council Cemeteries Guidelines(PDF, 907KB) and must provide the following paperwork:

A license will be issued to each employee who carries a current Green Card. These licenses must be carried at all times when working.

Grave diggers should liaise directly with the funeral director and ensure the necessary paperwork is obtained prior to the burial.


Please contact Council’s Cemetery Officer on (02) 4993 4220 if you require any further information about these processes.