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The Australians buried together in unmarked graves

11 Oct 2026 · 22 min

Using evidence from family and friends, analysis of cemetery registries, and aerial and satellite imagery, a special investigation by Guardian Australia has found that ‘persons without means’ are being buried in bare patches of earth between walkways and old headstones in Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery. The vast majority of the graves do not have a plaque or tombstone. The investigation has prompted an immediate apology from NSW Health, which oversees the process, while the state health minister, Ryan Park, has signalled that he wants to end the use of unmarked communal graves. Chief investigations correspondent Christopher Knaus and investigations reporter Ariel Bogle speak with Reged Ahmad about their Guardian investigation into unmarked graves and the families left devastated by the discovery of where their loved ones have been laid to rest