A new granite columbarium wall has recently been completed in Manly Cemetery along with gardens, seating and signage at the historic cemetery.

A columbarium is a beautifully designed memorial structure, featuring designated spaces or niches used to store cremated remains as a final tribute to loved ones.

In 2021, Council consulted the community on the proposal with a majority of the community supportive of the project recognising the need for more burial options. Valuable feedback was provided, resulting in some design modifications that were incorporated in the final design.

Located on the eastern boundary of the cemetery, the columbarium consists of two light coloured 1.5metre high granite walls that will eventually accommodate over 670 single-sized niches over its 23-metre length.

To enhance the surroundings, a border garden has been created opposite the new walls with a seat for reflection. A crushed granite pathway now links the burial sites to the new columbarium wall.

Niches are now available for purchase, providing families with an enduring and respectful memorial option. Once all the niches of this columbarium are sold, Council has a development application approved to construct two further walls to meet future demand.

For more information about the columbarium or to purchase a niche, please email Cemeteries@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au or visit our website.  

Northern Beaches Council manages two cemeteries - Manly and Mona Vale. While Mona Vale Cemetery provides options for both burials and ashes memorials, the historic Manly Cemetery exclusively offers memorial sites.

Manly Cemetery is thought to be the fourth oldest cemetery still in use in Sydney with the earliest burial marked by a monument in 1863.

The project was made possible thanks to the generous funding from the NSW Government Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.