NSW buries 100-plus poor Australians four to a grave without notice
Guardian investigation identified over 100 unmarked communal graves in NSW holding four to six poor Australians each.
Vietnam war veterans, rough sleepers and other impoverished Australians are being buried four to six to a grave at Sydney's Rookwood cemetery without names or markers. The Guardian has identified more than 100 such unmarked graves across NSW and some in Queensland, used by state governments to bury those deemed unable to afford their own funerals.
In at least six cases, authorities failed to tell relatives, friends or charities that burials were happening. Many could have funded dignified funeral arrangements instead.
Two Vietnam veterans buried in 2024 and 2025 were eligible for federal funeral funding through the Department of Veterans' Affairs. DVA was never approached.
A rough sleeper charity says three of its clients were buried in unmarked graves without any notification. Victoria by contrast gives each person their own grave with marking.
Queensland uses far fewer communal graves.
- Over 100 across NSW, some in Queensland
- Unmarked graves
- Four to six Australians each
- People per grave
- At least six documented cases
- Notification failures
Why it mattersRelatives say they were robbed of the chance to honour their dead properly. Charities report failures in notification that breach NSW policy on avoiding distress.
AustraliaThis practice affects vulnerable Australians across NSW and Queensland; NSW Health has apologised and flagged process changes after the investigation.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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