Families shocked to find expiry stickers on loved ones’ graves at Old Noarlunga cemetery

Families have been shocked to find lease expiry stickers on graves of loved ones at a cemetery in Adelaide’s south – despite some having more than 30 years remaining.

The church and cemetery before its sale in 2018. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

Southern suburbs families have been shocked to find lease expiry stickers on the plaques and headstones of loved ones at an Old Noarlunga cemetery – despite the leases having years to run.

Stickers at the Cemetery on the Hill at Church Hill Road state that the lease has expired and families need to contact the cemetery to organise renewal.

But some families claim to still have more than 35 years remaining on their contracts.

One man – who wished to remain anonymous – said a contract showed the lease for his family member’s ashes plot had 38 years remaining.

“We were in disbelief when we saw the stickers everywhere and it’s had a severe emotional impact for us,” he said.

“I think they should be honouring the leases that stand and honouring it as a cemetery and not as a money-making exercise.

“Some of the gravestones in there are of historical significance and shouldn’t be tampered with, full stop.”

Another family who took out a $600 lease in 2017 was told a new, 25-year lease would cost more than $2900.

Owner and cemetery curator Darren Bacchus bought the cemetery and connected church – previously known as St Philip and St James – from the Anglican Diocese of The Murray in late 2018.

Mr Bacchus – who plans to restore the church and grounds and host functions there – said no leases were transferred to him at the time of purchase, leading him to use the stickers and newspaper advertisements to contact families.

“Unfortunately the Anglican Church did a disservice to the people that were there, they never communicated any information to them,” he said.

“It’s a hard job to do when you’re talking about a passed one that’s buried there but we have to financially responsible and it does cost money to run cemeteries.”

Mr Bacchus said as a “goodwill gesture” he would honour leases of 25 years for ashes and 50 years for burials.

An aerial shot of the church and surrounding cemetery before the 2018 sale.

A spokeswoman for the Anglican Diocese said the Diocese fulfilled its obligations – in accordance with the Burial and Cremation Act – for the transfer of cemetery leases at the time of the sale.

“Our expectation has always been that the existing leases would be honoured by the

new owner in accordance with the legislation,” she said.

“As from settlement the new owner was obligated to permit the interment of remains

of the person to whom the interment rights relate and to leave the remains undisturbed

at the interment site for as long as the interment rights remain in force.

“The owner does not have a unilateral right to terminate interment rights nor to vary

the terms upon which interment rights are held.

“We are disappointed at the action of the new owner and concerned for the interment

rights holders who have been confused and misled.”

The spokeswoman said lawyers for the Diocese contacted Mr Bacchus regarding the matter and later Consumer and Business Services and the Attorney-General’s office.

A Consumer and Business Services spokesman confirmed the department was investigating a complaint in relation to the matter.

Originally published as Families shocked to find expiry stickers on loved ones’ graves at Old Noarlunga cemetery