Week 17 - Cemetery
If you have been following along with my posts over the past several months you will notice I wrote a large post about the Cemetery Renewal program that Karrakatta Cemetery is undertaking. You can read the full post here - Cemetery Renewal, Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia. In the article I outline what Cemetery Renewal means but basically it is the removal of headstones and reusing the space in between gravesites to conduct new burials. I also discussed Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta, a Facebook group that is working to stop the redevelopment by educating people. In less than 12 months the group has got over 5,000 members.Why am I against Cemetery Renewal at Karrakatta Cemetery


Western Australian Cemeteries Act
As children we are taught to be respectful in a cemetery. We are told to walk down the walkways and never to walk on a grave. Yet here is a government sanctioned program - Western Australian Cemeteries Act 1986 that is encouraging people to walk over the graves of others. What does it matter that they died 100 years ago? It shouldn't matter. Everyone should be respected in death. The cemetery renewal program is allowing open disrespect to the deceased.The below are just a few of my relatives who are buried at Karrakatta:
Matheson Family
Charles Gordon Matheson (5 July 1906 - 31 October 1954) - Gordon (as he was known) is my first cousin, twice removed. He owned the Gordon Matheson Grocers that many Perth people would remember. He's buried in the Wesleyan FA section which is approaching renewal.1 In the Matheson family photograph Gordon is the baby on the lefthand side of the picture.
Brand Family

Other family members
Millicent Dolores Brand (nee Bayliss) - 1883 -2 March 1913 - Lola (as she was known) was my great-grandfather Fletcher's first wife who died not long after they married. Her gravesite has already been renewed so no visible marker shows where she lies.8 I have many, many more distant cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles buried at Karrakatta. Some are safe, some are gone, and others face renewal. I am still yet to full establish the fallout for my ancestors in this redevelopment.Do you have family buried at Karrakatta? How do you feel about the renewal program?
Please tell me in the comments below.

Bibliography
- 1. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Charles Gordon Matheson, Application Number: KB00100917, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00100917, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 2. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Charles Jardine Matheson, Application Number: KB00083124, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00083124, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 3. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Emily Georgina Matheson, Application Number: KB00096372, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00096372, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 4. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Robert Matheson, Application Number: KB00046693, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00046693, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 5. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Edith Matheson, Application Number: KB00051426, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00051426, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 6. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Margaret Emily Matheson, Application Number: KC00042187, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KC00042187, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 7. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Thelma Kathleen Brand, Application Number: KB00170347, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00170347, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 8. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Millicent Dolores Brand, Application Number: KB00013112, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00013112, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 9. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Fletcher Alderwin Brand, Application Number: KB00083089, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00083089, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 10. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Gladys Gwendoline Brand, Application Number: KC00042896, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KC00042896, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 11. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Dudley Hilton Brand, Application Number: KB00074897, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00074897, Accessed 19 April 2018.
- 12. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Donald Raymond Brand, Application Number: KB00076139, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00076139, Accessed 19 April 2018.
Megan, first of all, congratulations on taking over the blog for the website of the Facebook group that is working to stop the redevelopment. That is amazing in less than 12 months, the group has gotten over 5,000 members! So very happy for you and your group.
Your article is amazing, as usual. I agree with you that you can learn a great deal from the past in cemeteries. Piecing information together from dates, you discover a great deal. Especially where there are families in one cemetery – like in your case – there is a lot of rich family history there. It is amazing how you have so much great information about your family.
Keep up the great work.
Warm Regards,
Yvette
Hi Yvette
Thank you for your kinds words. It is sad that we are having this fight to keep the graves at Karrakatta, however, it is heartwarming that so many people are working hard to stop it. I love exploring cemeteries, even ones where I don’t have ancestors, however must admit I’m excited to explore some in the UK later this year!
Regards,
Megan
I have included your blog in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2018/05/friday-fossicking-4th-may-2018.html
Thank you, Chris
Hi Chris
Thank you so much. I love looking at your site too.
Regards,
Megan