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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus and Ariel Bogle

Hundreds of Australians, including war veterans, are being buried in unmarked communal graves

Composite of Christine Halpin's portrait overlaid on an aerial view of Rookwood cemetery rows
Christine Halpin was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery in 1989. Composite: David Maurice Smith/Guardian design

Vietnam veterans, rough sleepers and other impoverished Australians are being buried in unmarked communal graves often holding four or more people, a practice relatives have described as “unspeakable” and “a disgrace”.

A Guardian Australia investigation has identified more than 100 unmarked graves across New South Wales, and some in Queensland, that are being used by state governments to bury those deemed too poor to afford their own funerals.

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