Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation - National Trust of Australia

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GUIDELINES FOR CEMETERY CONSERVATION PART ONE - WHY Part One - WHY 1 Why conserve cemeteries? A cemetery is not merely a functional place for disposal of the dead. It also serves a community’s emotional, religious and cultural needs. As an expression of people’s culture and identity, cemeteries comprise a fascinating resource which allow the community to delve back into their past. The monuments and graves represent the last public memorials of many people, both famous and unknown, who were intimately involved with the growth of the local area in which they are buried. In this way the headstones themselves, through the names, occupations, dates and epitaphs, provide a largely unique social, literary and economic record of the district. The monuments also demonstrate the art of the stonemason whose skill and craftsmanship is not likely to be repeated. But it is not just the headstones which are important in cemetery landscapes. Many rural cemeteries contain important botanical species which are endangered. Cemeteries have long been recognised as repositories for heritage roses and it is being increasingly recognised that they also harbour and protect native vegetation. Along with the vegetation, cemeteries are also a haven for wildlife generally. FOR ALL THESE REASONS, THE CONSERVATION OF CEMETERIES IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SURVIVAL OF AUSTRALIA’S LOCAL HISTORY, REGIONAL HISTORY AND NATIONAL HISTORY. 2 Why plan conservation? In contributing to a cemetery’s heritage significance, any or all of its aspects can be important. For that reason, the conservation of any part of it – even a single grave – must be carefully planned and controlled to ensure that other aspects are not diminished in the process. Experience shows that a simplistic approach to conservation, such as “let’s just clean it up” often does more harm than good. Replacing an old headstone not only discards the historic original, it often destroys the sense of age which is half the reason for its value. Poisoning the weeds can destroy historic plantings of rare garden flowers which happen not to be in bloom. Removing a tree because its roots might tilt a monument may be quite unnecessary if the offending root can be safely cut off. In all these cases, it is important to begin with a consideration of just what it is that needs to be conserved. CEMS\Policy Paper Review & model letters\2nd Edition Jan 2010.doc 3
GUIDELINES FOR CEMETERY CONSERVATION PART ONE - WHY 3 Heritage values of a cemetery 3.1 Historical values The cemetery is an historic record of Australian society. Through its establishment and use, the cemetery documents European settlement patterns and the development and growth of a community. The graves and monuments provide important demographic data about the area. Cemeteries often contain monuments that commemorate significant events in a local community, such as a mining disaster, shipwreck, or war. Cemeteries can also have historical significance by virtue of the graves of noted individuals who have made important contributions to the community. Indirectly, information on a single tombstone can reflect major phases of local history. This inscription reads: In Loving Memory of Thomas Lewis Who was accidentally killed on the Railway Bridge, Wilson River, N. C. Rly May 20 1915 aged 55 years Erected by his fellow-workers [mason] Epstein Kempsey Another example comprises evidence of immigration CEMS\Policy Paper Review & model letters\2nd Edition Jan 2010.doc 4
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B. CROSSES GUIDELINES FOR CEMETERY
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H. EMBELISHMENT GUIDELINES FOR CEME
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Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation - National Trust of Australia

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