About the Cemetery
Situated in the rural area of Berrimah on Deloraine Road, the Cemetery can be accessed easily via McMillans Road when approaching from the Darwin Suburban area from the Stuart Highway.
The Thorak Regional Cemetery is largely a non-denominational cemetery facility, but provision for burial in denominational areas exists for those of the Greek Orthodox, Muslim and Bahai' faith.
The non-denominational areas consists of lawn interments, restricted memorial interments and unrestricted memorial interments.
The Cemetery has a crematorium and Chapel for those choosing to be cremated, and also a Memorial Garden for the interment of cremated remains.
The Gardens of Angels section has been provided for the burial/interment of ashes of infants up to two years of age.
History
The Thorak Regional Cemetery was named after Klaus Thorak, a distinguished veterinarian with the Primary Industries Branch who, together with his wife and son, was killed in an aeroplane accident whilst on his way to Timor. The road so named leads to the forestry area known as Thorak Reserve and passes in the vicinity of the cemetery.
The Thorak Regional Cemetery opened in 1988 and in 1990, the crematorium facility was added to the site.
Today, Thorak Cemetery is the only cemetery for the greater Darwin area and will provide a burial facility for the residents of Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield Shire well into the twenty second century.
Opening Hours
Cemetery visits are welcome from sunrise to sunset each day.
Normal hours for interment and cremation services are restricted to 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours will incur a surcharge. No services are permitted between sunset and sunrise on any day.
The cemetery is open for limited vehicular entry. Parking areas are provided adjacent to the chapel, near Section 1, 2 and 3, the Memorial Garden and Orthodox areas. No vehicles are permitted within the sections and parking should be restricted to dedicated parking areas.
Fees and Charges
Fees and Charges can be viewed on the 2009-2010 Fees and Charges document listed on page 7 here
Cemetery
Thorak Regional Cemetery
As of 1 July 2008 the Thorak Regional cemetery on Deloraine Road is operated solely by Litchfield Council. It is open from 7.00 am - 7.00 pm seven days a week, 365 days per year. It has the only crematorium facilities in the Northern Territory.
Interments
Thorak Regional Cemetery provides residents with interment facilities in a range of locations:
Section A- Lawn area (Plaque memorials only permitted)
Section B- Limited Memorial size area
Sections C & D- Unrestricted memorial area
Muslim Lawn Cemetery for Muslim Faith
Bahai' Lawn Cemetery for Bahai' Faith
Greek Orthodox Area - family interment
Section 5 Gardens of Angels, Children's Section - Up to Age 2
Gardens of Angels, Children's Section - Up to Age 10
Crematorium
The crematorium facility at the Thorak Regional Cemetery is the only facility in the Northern Territory. Arrangements for cremations can be made through the Funeral Director.
Arrangement for collection of interment of ashes can also be made with the Funeral Director. Cremated remains may be forwarded to any destination within Australia, on arrangement with your Funeral Director.
Additionally, a Memorial Garden for the interment of cremated remains is available.
Families have six months from cremation to make arrangement for the burial of ashes within the cemetery. Ashes not claimed within this time may be scattered in unspecified areas within the cemetery grounds.
Chapel
The Chapel facility within the cemetery is available for cremation, burial and memorial ceremonies. The chapel provides seating for approximately 100 people with further standing room within the surrounding veranda area. The facility is air-conditioned and a sound system is available for use during services.
Chapel bookings may be made through the funeral director or with the Cemetery Manager. A booking fee is included in the cost of cremation and/or interment.
Other Information
Burial Ages - The Cemetery charges vary accordingly for the interment or cremation of adults or children. Fees are structured to define children as deceased from the prenatal stage to the age of 10 years. An adult interment/cremation applies above that age. The age for Garden of Angels is for infants up to two years of age.
Disabled Access - Please contact the Cemetery Manager for advice on access for people with disabilities. A disabled toilet facility is available within the Chapel building.
Exclusive Rights to grave sites / Memorial Garden - The reservation of a select grave site is possible subject to availability. An Exclusive Right Fee is charged and a certificate issued for this reservation.
A memorial permit is required to place or alter a memorial. Download the application for Memorial Permits here
Information on Headstone and Plaque Size allocations here
Litter - Grave sites should be kept clean and free of debris and litter. The Cemetery grounds staff will routinely remove spent flowers and other litter which may be considered unsightly from grave sites. Please liaise with the Cemetery Manager before placing any objects on grave sites within the lawn areas.
Re-Instatement of Grave Sites After Interment - Following interment, the cemetery staff will remove debris and litter from the grave site after a reasonable time. This will be followed by the reinstatement of lawn cover and on-going maintenance such as irrigation and mowing.
Second Interment - Subject to access, select grave sites may be reopened for later interment. This will be costed at the relevant interment cost and may incur excess costs subject to accessibility to the site for excavation plant. Second interment is only possible when the first interment was excavated to a depth of 2.10 metres and an exclusive Right of Burial has been issued.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be directed to the Thorak Regional Cemetery Manager - Ms Julia Giunta on (08) 8947 0903.
The Gardens of Angels- Thorak Regional Cemetery