Griffith City Council engaged a consultant to prepare a Masterplan for the proposed new Cemetery and Crematorium on Rifle Range Road. The master plan reports suggestion that the viability of a Crematorium should be the subject of a separate study.

The closest Cremation Facility, near Griffith is in Wagga Wagga, which is approximately 190km one way. This leaves bereaved families the distressing task of travelling hours away to Wagga Wagga.

Griffith is a regional centre providing to residents from Hillston, Hay, Leeton, and towns and farms in between such as Darlington Point, Ardlethan, Carrathool. When considering if a crematorium will be financially viable it is necessary to consider the wider population in addition to Griffith local government area.

The 2017 Annual Operators Survey by Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW note that the percentage of cremations over burials was 66.5% and climbing

The annual costs of maintaining a cemetery far exceeds the costs of cremation.

Armidale is an example of a city of approximately the same size as Griffith. Both are regional centres for surrounding towns, villages and rural areas. Armidale opened a cremation service 20 years ago or more when its population was less than Griffith is now. It has successfully carried out cremations as well as burials ever since.

Many people in the Indian, Chinese, Thai and other communities preferrer cremations in line with their beliefs. Also, a lot of people who aren't religious prefer to have their loved ones cremated.

I urge Griffith City Council to build a crematorium as a first priority in the first stage of the proposed new cemetery. 

I request everyone in the Griffith local government area and surrounding areas to support and sign this petition.

Thanks for your support.

Parshtoam Singh

President

Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society (Griffith Sikh Temple)