York Needs a New Cemetery

By Eliza Bidstrup

ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt

Topic: Regional Communities

Sat 1 Aug 2026 at 12:13pm

Elaine Huddy's daughter is buried in York Cemetery.

In short:

York needs a new cemetery because the current one is full.

Many people have moved to York, so it needs more space.

What's next?

The town might need a new cemetery soon.

The president of York wants to be buried there.

He likes York and wants to stay.

York is a very old town in Western Australia.

Many people want to be buried in York because they love it.

The president says people like to be buried where they live.

It's not just for people who lived in York a long time.

Anyone can choose to be buried in York.

More people are moving to York, so it will get busier.

The cemetery in York is getting full.

The town is looking for a new place to bury people.

Many people book their burial spot in York years ahead.

York is a popular place to be buried.

Oldest inland town

York has three cemeteries, but they are getting full.

There are 600 people buried in the old part of the cemetery.

More people are buried in other parts of the cemetery.

The cemetery was made in 1874.

York has many old people, so it needs to plan for burials.

The president says cemeteries are important for history.

Cemeteries show where people came from and where they're going.

We need a place to remember our past.

Metro cemeteries are running out of space.

Some cemeteries reuse old burial spots to make new ones.

This helps make more space for burials.

The president doesn't want York to reuse old spots.

He wants to respect the people who are already buried.

He thinks cemeteries should be about respect, not just space.

Burials into the future

Elaine Huddy's daughter was buried in York in 1979.

Elaine wants to be buried with her daughter.

Elaine has lived in York for a long time and loves it.

She feels connected to the town and its people.

Elaine says York is her home and always will be.

Having a cemetery in York helps Elaine visit her daughter.

Elaine celebrated her daughter's 40th birthday at the cemetery.

Having her daughter close by makes Elaine feel better.

The town is looking for a new cemetery site.

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