Rookwood Cemetery is the oldest operating cemetery in Australia. It is also known as Rookwood Necropolis and is the largest multicultural cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere. Rookwood is located in the capital city of Sydney in New South Wales. It is estimated that over 1 million people are buried in the vast burial ground of this Sydney cemetery. Residing in the Western Sydney area, the whole of Rookwood Cemetery covers an area of up to 300 hectares. This cemetery was established in 1867, and thus it holds a huge national and historic significance.

Over 80 religious and cultural sections of the Australian society use Rookwood Cemetery as their final resting place for their near and dear ones, with the Necropolis catering to religious denominations from all parts of the world. It is a Sydney cemetery that is administered by 5 separate denominational Trusts, a War Graves section and a Memorial Gardens and Crematorium. These offices are responsible for the management and maintenance of their own grounds and handle burials, funeral services and ash interments for various religious denominations.

Rookwood is a place that epitomizes peace and tranquility. This cemetery is not just a place for the families of the deceased to visit, but also attracts a large number of historians, artists, environmentalists and casual visitors. Hidden: A Rookwood Sculpture Walk is a unique sculpture exhibition that questions the concept of death and grief and is showcased in the grounds of Rookwood. The Anglican and General Cemetery Trusts organised the exhibition in an aim to engage with the community and bring new visitors to the Rookwood site.

The cemetery it is not a sad place to visit after all. The cemetery has a plethora of gardens with exquisite flowers embedded all over. Far from being a city of the dead, Rookwood is a garden that is teeming with life with almost 400 species of plants and trees providing a natural habitat for a wide variety of birds and animals. Almost 7000 roses are known to occupy these exotic gardens. Many features of the cemetery have been restored to its former glory with the help of The Friends of Rookwood and other interested groups. The brick gutters which symbolized the ornate landscaping can still be seen along with embellishing monuments, the harmonious chapels, picturesque ponds, bridges and urns.

When family and friends are faced with the sorrow of the death of a loved one, planning and organising a funeral at short notice can be really tough. Loved ones have to consult a funeral director to organise the burial or cremation and make funeral bookings with one of the offices at Rookwood Cemetery. Loved ones will also need to purchase a plot in the Necropolis and the funeral director will organise funeral services for the ash interment or burial.