Discovery in desk's nook paints picture of Australia's oldest continuously operating crematorium

An architect's desk at Australia's oldest continuously operating crematorium housed a trove of artefacts inside a compartment, only to be unearthed 100 years later.

Rookwood Crematorium in Sydney's west returned to public stewardship this year, and with the new chapter came a big clean-up — including the office of the crematorium operator.

When Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP) received the keys to the site on July 1, they looked inside the office, only to find an old desk shoved in the corner belonging to the architect behind the crematorium, Frank Bloomfield.

Rookwood Crematorium manager Michelle Sturgess was one of those who came across the desk that day.

As soon as she opened one of the inconspicuous drawers, she found a series of artefacts of heritage significance.

"There was a number of maps, drawings of the chapel, newspaper clippings from 100 years ago and even an old black and white historic photo of a horse-drawn hearse, which we all found fascinating," she said.

"A lot of the items are now being catalogued, with guidance from the heritage committee on how to preserve them properly."

Before: A 100-year-old blueprint depicts one of the crematorium's main sections today.. . After: (Supplied.). .

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The newspaper clippings were related to mortuary practises in Sydney, some of which go back to a century ago.

Ms Sturgess said she knew "straight away" these were items that needed to be preserved for the future.

From an architectural perspective, Rookwood stands out among NSW's burial spaces due to its Mediterranean Tuscan style that Bloomfield adopted in his blueprints.

"We're trying to restore something back to its former glory," Ms Sturgess said.

Before: Mr Bloomfield opted for a Mediterranean Tuscany style in his designs at the crematorium, which is now listed in the National Trust of Australia Register.. . After: (Supplied).. .

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The rise of cremations in past 100 years

When the site itself first opened within the grounds of Rookwood Cemetery, crematoriums were a rarity in Sydney and somewhat frowned upon by parts of the community.

Historical archaeologist Siobhán Lavelle, who has particular interest and expertise in cemetery conservation, noted that cremation was legalised in NSW in 1925.

That same year, Rookwood Crematorium was established and became the first crematorium in the state.

"As a modern kind of technique for disposal of deceased people, there was some backlash from many of the churches originally," she said.

In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted its ban on cremation.

"About two thirds of people who die in NSW now choose cremation, and it's definitely what most people and families are choosing when they're faced with that decision," Dr Lavelle said.

Now, Rookwood Crematorium is listed in the National Trust of Australia Register.

Renewed focus on conserving 'heritage features'

The discovery in the desk comes amid the end of the crematorium's 99-year private lease, with MMP replacing a private operator.

To celebrate the now 100-year anniversary of Rookwood Crematorium, the NSW government’s Crown land manager and cemetery operator built a new monument and time capsule — part of which marks Bloomfield's work.

A long-term plan for future development and additions to the precinct are in the works amid Sydney's dwindling burial and cremation space.

For Dr Lavelle, she said the site remained "remarkable" within the context of NSW crematoriums due to Bloomfield's design choices — namely the purpose-built chimney stack and heritage features such as the fountains, tiles and ironwork.

"Additions to the site over the years have been done in a very sympathetic way by matching the style of the original buildings," she said.

"Now that the crematorium has come back into public ownership, it's important to conserve the heritage features there."