Hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, are being buried in unmarked communal graves
A Guardian investigation has revealed that Australian state governments are burying impoverished individuals, including war veterans, in unmarked communal graves. The report highlights systemic failures in notifying families and the indignity of the practice.
Why it matters
It raises significant ethical and human rights concerns regarding how the state treats its most vulnerable citizens after death.
Christine Halpin was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery in 1989. Composite: David Maurice Smith/Guardian design Christine Halpin was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery in 1989. Composite: David Maurice Smith/Guardian design Unmarked graves New South Wales Hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, are being buried in unmarked communal graves Exclusive: Guardian Australia investigation reveals state governments use shared graves to bury those deemed too poor to pay for funerals. ‘It’s unspeakable,’ one relative says
Find more from the Unmarked graves investigation here
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Vietnam veterans, rough sleepers and other impoverished Australians are being buried in unmarked communal graves often holding four or more people, a practice relatives have described as “unspeakable” and “a disgrace”.
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