Cemeteries reimagined: A welcoming sanctuary
The Master Plan considers changing community expectations, contemporary approaches and inclusions such as enhanced placemaking, peaceful reflection areas and all ability access.
Each year, Council helps people of all cultures, faiths and beliefs through their end-of-life experiences and to celebrate their loved ones.
With the Sunshine Coast’s growing population and changing demographics, there is a higher demand for cemetery services that reflect the community’s evolving view and needs.
Cemeteries were once seen as solemn places for the dead to rest. Now these peaceful green spaces can also offer comfort, health and wellbeing and environmental benefits.
The Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan 2024, approved at Council’s December Ordinary Meeting, aims to reflect a modern approach for cemetery design.
It will provide spaces for funerals, memorials, burials and cremations as well as areas for reflection with walkways, gardens water features and seating.
Service Excellence Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said the Master Plan recognised residents wanted cemeteries to be places for remembering and reflection, offering choice and welcoming the community.
“One of the most difficult times in life is losing a loved-one,” Cr Dickson said.
“Making end-of-life decisions can be overwhelming and distressing. This new model will give residents better access to diverse cemetery services.
“The cemetery design considers the current Kulangoor Cemetery’s amenity, landscape and capacity.
“It also develops a sustainable and innovative model for providing end-of-life care now and in the future.
“This Master Plan ensures up to 80 years of cemetery services, embracing change and reflecting a modern approach to cemetery design.”
In 2022-23, a comprehensive review of the Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan 2004 was conducted.
The review considered changing community expectations, contemporary approaches and inclusions such as enhanced placemaking, peaceful reflection areas and all ability access.
Community engagement
In 2023 Council conducted Community Engagement to help develop the 2024 Master Plan.
Divisional Councillor David Law said feedback was also gathered from the Community Reference Groups including funeral directors, celebrants, legal professionals, stonemasons, landscape designers and local business operators.
“The feedback showed that 75 per cent of respondents believed the Master Plan should respond to the diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs practiced in our community today and into the future,” Cr Law said.
“A place connected to the environment and providing a lovely place for remembrance is highly important, with 81 per cent of respondents wanting a boardwalk around the trees and water features.
“Community input also helped finalise the landscape design, with trees, shade, seats and water features being important inclusions, and 67 per cent wanting interchangeable artwork within the cemetery.”
About the Cemetery Plan
The Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2019-2028 provides a framework for meeting the future needs of Council's cemeteries, reflecting the preferences of a growing and changing community.
A key action is to develop master plans for Council’s established cemeteries.
Kulangoor Cemetery was prioritised for the first master plan review due to the availability and suitability of land.
Council’s network covers 18 cemeteries across more than 60 hectares of public open space.
What’s next?
In 2025 Council will investigate funding opportunities to deliver the capital design elements of the Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan 2024.
This will include seeking funding through Council’s budget processes, grants and partnerships.
You can view the draft concept design and community survey results on Council’s Have Your Say website.
The Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan 2024 is also available on Council’s website.