Homeless man buried in unmarked grave without support workers notified
Support workers say they were not told a Sydney rough sleeper had been buried in an unmarked grave.
The man, known as the "king of town hall" for his presence on the town hall steps, was helped into aged care housing by support workers before he died. When he passed away, the NSW government classified him as a "person without means" and buried him in an unmarked plot at Rookwood cemetery in May.
No one at the homelessness services knew it had happened. The Guardian's investigation found at least 17 other Australians from Sydney homelessness support services buried the same way, in bare patches of earth between walkways.
Most graves have no plaque or tombstone. NSW Health has apologised and the health minister signalled a desire to end the practice.
Support workers say they were never aware burials happened this way and would have helped arrange funerals.
- Rookwood cemetery
- Cemetery location
- May this year
- Burial timing
- Four strangers in same grave
- Shared plot occupants
Why it mattersHomelessness support workers say it breaks their trust if people they help are buried without their knowledge, robbing vulnerable people of a dignified final farewell.
AustraliaThe practice affects vulnerable Australians in NSW and has prompted immediate calls for policy change at a state government level to ensure dignity in death.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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