A second cremator arrives in town recently. Photo: Supplied.
A second cremator has arrived in Griffith in the space of a few months, with a local funeral company pledging to offer cremation funeral services for the first time ever in the town before the end of the month.
Griffith City Council had previously planned to purchase a cremator and lease it to Griffith Regional Funeral Services, following sustained campaigns by groups such as the Sikh community for help to provide a local service.
However, Councillor Tony O’Grady moved a successful motion that the local government body remove the $400,000 in funding for the cremator from the current budget in June 2025.
On Wednesday (15 October), the council published a media release stating the private funeral company had purchased a cremator independently, with no financial support at all from council.
The funeral company owner Peter Woodward said the development represented a significant investment in the city and surrounding region.
“Griffith Regional Funeral Services is very excited to be bringing this service to Griffith. We expect to be fully commissioned and operating before the end of next week,” Mr Woodward said.
“This project ensures families have access to more choice and convenience during a difficult time.”
Cremation services will be offered at the funeral company’s premises at 172-174 Wakaden Street.
Councillor Tony O’Grady said this was the best possible outcome for the community.
Councillor Tony O’Grady moved the motion to withdraw funding for the crematorium. Photo: Griffith City Council.
“We now get a choice of two cremation services with no expense to the ratepayers at all,” he said.
“I always felt uncomfortable about council footing the bill, which is why I moved the motion [in June] private businesses should be paying for their own services even though this is good for the community.”
Mayor Curran said that while council had worked closely with Mr Woodward over the years, this project was entirely his own initiative, completed independently and without any financial assistance from council.
“Peter should be congratulated for his initiative and investment in providing this important service for our community who have been saying loud and clear for some time that they wanted this option locally,” Mayor Curran said.
Rival company Trenerry Funerals had a cremator delivered to Griffith in May and is building a site for cremation services on Battista Street in Yoogali, with services to be offered early next year.
“I welcome the news that Griffith Regional Funeral also have a cremator, it levels the playing field and it will give the people of Griffith a choice,” Trenerry Funerals owner Daniel Calabro said.
Both companies have purchased secondhand cremators. Trenerry Funerals will also offer a facility for pet cremations, which will cater to domestic animals such as cats and dogs but not ponies or horses.
