FAQs
- Email: community@mcb.wa.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 793 109
- Email: community@mcb.wa.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 793 109
- Karrakatta Cemetery
- Fremantle Cemetery
- Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park
- Midland Cemetery
- Guildford Cemetery
- Rockingham Regional Memorial Park
Why is this project being undertaken?
Many families experienced the loss of a stillborn baby at a time when information, recordkeeping, and recognition practices were different from those in place today. For some, this has contributed to ongoing grief and a sense that their baby’s life and loss were not fully acknowledged.
The Historical Stillborn Memorial Project seeks to provide a respectful and lasting form of recognition for these babies and the families who continue to carry their memory. Through community consultation, the Committee hopes to ensure that any memorial reflects the experiences, needs and wishes of those most affected.
Who is leading this project?
The Historical Stillborn Memorial Project is being led by the Historical Stillborn Memorial Committee, which has been established to guide the development of a memorial and ensure that the voices of bereaved families are heard throughout the process.
The Committee is working closely with the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) to support community consultation and project delivery with members bringing together clinical expertise, lived experience and cultural perspectives and includes:
• representatives from King Edward Memorial Hospital
• representatives from Red Nose Australia
• community members with lived experience
• cemetery sector expertise
The Joint Patrons of the Committee are His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, reflecting the significance and care with which this work is being undertaken.
All Committee processes are guided by trauma informed practice, cultural safety and respect.
How will my feedback be used?
Your feedback will help inform the Committee’s recommendations regarding the design and interpretation of the proposed memorial.
The experiences, perspectives and suggestions shared through the consultation process will assist the Committee in developing a memorial that acknowledges historical stillbirth burials in a respectful, thoughtful and meaningful way.
Can I have a paper survey sent to me?
Yes, please contact the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board to organise a postal survey to be sent to you.
Do I need to answer every question in the consultation?
No. Participation is entirely voluntary. You may answer as many or as few questions as you feel comfortable with, and you are welcome to stop at any time.
Can I provide feedback anonymously?
Yes. You may choose to complete the consultation anonymously.
If you would like to receive updates about the project or be notified of outcomes, you will need to provide contact details and consent to being contacted.
Will my submission be confidential?
Yes. Information provided through the consultation process will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements. Submissions will only be accessible to authorised members of the engagement teams at the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH).
If submissions are shared with the Historical Stillborn Memorial Committee for consideration, any identifying personal information will be removed beforehand. Participants also have the option of completing the consultation anonymously.
Any personal experiences you choose to share will be treated sensitively and will only be used for the purposes of informing the consultation and decision-making process.
Where consultation outcomes are publicly reported, individual respondents will not be identified, and any personal experiences shared through submissions will not be published without their consent.
Participants also have the option of completing this survey anonymously.
What happens after the consultation closes?
Once the consultation period has ended, the Committee will review all feedback received and use it to inform its recommendations. A summary of the consultation outcomes may be made available to participants and the wider community.
How can I search for a burial record or find out where my baby is buried?
You can visit https://mcbportal.powerappsportals.com/name-search/ to access the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board burial register.
If you require assistance locating a burial record or have any questions, please contact the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board:
We understand that searching for these records may be an emotional experience, and MCB staff will endeavour to provide assistance in a respectful and supportive manner.
Do I need to have a burial record to provide feedback?
No. You do not need to have located a burial record or have supporting documentation to participate in the consultation. We welcome feedback from anyone with a personal, family or community connection to this issue.
Are all of the babies buried in these communal graves stillborn?
The majority of babies buried in identified communal graves were stillborn. Some communal graves may also include babies who died shortly after birth, reflecting historical burial practices of the time.
Will individual babies be named as part of the memorial?
No, individual babies' names are not proposed to form part of the community memorial. The purpose of the memorial is to provide a collective place of recognition and reflection that acknowledges the babies and families affected by historical burial practices.
A key consideration is that it is not possible to obtain consent from every family connected to babies buried in these communal graves. Given the sensitive nature of the project, the Committee considers it important to respect the privacy, wishes and circumstances of all families, including those who may not wish for personal information to be publicly displayed.
The Committee understands that individual recognition may be important to some families. As part of this project, opportunities for individual memorialisation are also being explored and will form part of the design considerations if community feedback identifies a need for them. The consultation process will help inform whether there is support for additional options that allow families to personally acknowledge and remember their baby in a way that is meaningful to them.
What cemeteries are involved in this project?
The Historical Stillborn Memorial Project is informed by historical burial records from all Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) cemeteries, including:
The figures identified through MCB's historical research do not include cemeteries that are managed by MCB on behalf of other organisations, such as East Rockingham Pioneer Cemetery, Gnangara Aboriginal Cemetery or Lakes Lawn Cemetery.
As part of broader stakeholder engagement, the Committee is also liaising with regional Western Australian cemeteries to better understand historical practices and ensure relevant perspectives are considered as the project progresses.
Will the project involve disturbing graves or exhuming remains?
No. The Historical Stillborn Memorial Project is commemorative in nature. It does not involve the disturbance of graves, exhumation of remains, or investigation of individual burial sites.
The project is focused on acknowledging historical burial practices and exploring respectful ways to commemorate the babies and families affected.
A family member has had this experience, can I still participate on their behalf?
Yes. Family members and loved ones are welcome to participate in the consultation process, particularly where the person directly affected is unable or does not wish to participate themselves.
Where possible, we encourage submissions to reflect the views and wishes of those most closely connected to the experience. All perspectives shared respectfully and in good faith are valued and will help inform the Committee’s work.
Will I be kept up to date with project outcomes?
If you agree to be contacted when you make your online submission, you will be notified of the outcome of the consultation process and any decisions relating to the memorial project.
What support is available if participating raises difficult emotions?
We acknowledge that reflecting on the loss of a baby or searching for historical information may bring up strong emotions. We encourage anyone who feels distressed to seek support from family, friends, a trusted health professional or a bereavement support service, a list of which can be found at <URL>.
What is the role of Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (the Department) in this project?
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is advertising this consultation on behalf of the Historical Stillborn Memorial Committee and the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.
The Department provides support for the consultation process to ensure community members have an opportunity to share their views and experiences and contribute to the development of the project.
Where can I get more information?
You can visit www.mcb.wa.gov.au for more information, email community@mcb.wa.gov.au if you have any questions or phone 1300 793 109 if you’d like to speak to someone about this project.