Getting approval to repair a loved one’s gravestone should ideally be straightforward. However, Jacquie’s experience while attempting to restore her great-grandparents’ grave in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park proved maddeningly complex.
Reflecting on cherished memories, Jacquie recounted how she and her grandmother would visit the grave annually, with her grandmother often concerned that no one would continue this tradition after her passing. Jacquie had promised to uphold this commitment.
Yet, she faced overwhelming challenges when it came to obtaining the necessary approvals for the restoration. “I’ve never been so astounded by paperwork,” Jacquie expressed, as she navigated what she found to be one of the most convoluted processes she had encountered with government agencies. The struggle was not only frustrating but also financially burdensome.
Jacquie’s plight drew public attention, and following her story’s broadcast on A Current Affair, the New South Wales government responded. They amended the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act to simplify the process for those wishing to maintain memorials of their deceased loved ones.
This change means that future generations will find it easier to honour their relatives, reflecting a positive step towards easing such emotional burdens.