Beyond the Grave: Ben Kelly on Cemeteries, Cremation and the Fight for Burial Space

In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Kelly, CEO of the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA), the peak body representing the cemetery and crematoria sector across Australia and New Zealand.Ben takes us behind the gates of an industry most of us never think about until we have to. We talk about why cremation now accounts for 75 to 85 per cent of dispositions in Australia, why your postcode can determine how far your loved one has to travel to be cremated, and why there's no single national law governing what a cemetery can and can't do.We get into the thornier questions too: who actually owns a grave (hint: you don't), what happens when a family plot sits unused for decades, and the surprisingly heated debate over pets being buried alongside their owners. Ben also walks us through “limited tenure” – the practice of reusing graves after a set period – and why it might be one of the only real answers to Australia's shrinking burial space.Beyond the practicalities, Ben shares how cemeteries are quietly becoming community hubs: death cafes, baby loss memorial services, AI-powered digital storytelling projects, and even wildlife pantries for injured possums and koalas. And we don't shy away from the harder side of his industry – the funding cemeteries rarely get, and the toll the work takes on the people who show up for grieving families every day.'Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/