Cheltenham Cemetery launches search for relatives of 750 old gravesites before they get re-used

The hunt is on for descendants of hundreds of people buried in one of the state’s biggest cemeteries – which will re-use their graves if they can’t be found.

The search is on for 756 South Australians, all with an expired lease on the last resting place of a loved one at Cheltenham Cemetery.

The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority will this week cast a net far and wide in its search for loved ones before the last resort – “re-use” of a grave.

Alternatively another relative searching the list (see below) can apply to take responsibility for the site.

Adelaide Cemeteries Authority CEO Robert Pitt, said Cheltenham was still the main cemetery in the western Adelaide metropolitan area.

The re-use of graves – existing remains are buried deeper – and ashes in memorial sites is permitted under the South Australian Burial and Cremation Act.

“Each year, the authority publishes a list of expired interment sites, which are not re-used unless the lease expired a number of years ago,’’ Mr Pitt said.

“The Authority’s preference is for everyone to renew and extend their burial and memorial interment rights.

“To this end, we make extended efforts to connect with anyone interested in a burial or memorial site.

“All South Australians are encouraged to refer to the list of expired sites on the

Adelaide Cemeteries Authority’s website, as advertised in The Advertiser.

“If you find a family member or another site of interest, please contact Adelaide

Cemeteries.”

Loved ones can learn more about the lease details by calling 81397400.

Pina Buda, pictured left with mum Maria Morgante, has recently renewed the plot for her father, Salvatore Rugolo, at Cheltenham Cemetery. Picture: Mike Burton

Renewal fees start at $35 per annum for a memorial site and $65 per annum for a burial site.

Cheltenham is a last resting place for 35,500 people and has served the west of Adelaide since 1876.

Some 52 heritage recognised sites cannot be re-used.

But some of the sites currently set for re-use are very old, dating back to the 1882 site of Alicia Montgomery who died aged 43.

Her lease is held by a Sydney Adams, but expired in 2012.

The most recent grave set for renewal is that of Milena Borrelli, who died in 2009 aged 62. Her lease is held by a Domenico Borrelli.

One family member who has kept up to date with her lease holding is Giuseppina Buda.

She visited the grave of her father Salvatore Rugolo on Monday, after renewing the lease for 25 years.

Pina Buda as a baby with her dad, Salvatore Rugolo, and mother, Maria Morgante, in 1969. Picture: Supplied

A committee, with representatives from the Woodville and Port Adelaide Historical

societies, helps to identify sites for permanent conservation at the Authority’s

cost.

The 52 heritage sites include memorial structures and ashes, but also the remains of significant figures or those who captured public attention such as former soldiers.

One is the grave of Clara West Zeitz, a local girl who was tragically run over by a milk

cart, shocking the community in February 1911.

Another is the grave of Annie Rennie, the first female councillor to serve Port Adelaide Council and the first female mayor in the metropolitan area of South Australia.

Mr Pitt said it was becoming more common to renew or extend leases.