Pinnaroo Cemetery and Crematorium stands as one of Brisbane’s most well-known and commonly chosen options, particularly cherished by Northside families for its accessible location, well-maintained grounds and reliable council management. Whether you’re arranging services now or planning ahead, understanding your options can bring clarity and peace of mind during life’s most challenging moments.
As a family-owned and operated funeral home, Anton Brown Funerals understands the weight of these decisions. Our multi-generational experience has taught us that every family’s story is unique and we’re here to gently guide you through your choices without pressure or urgency. Contact us today to discuss your options with compassionate Brisbane funeral directors who truly care.
Pinnaroo Cemetery and Crematorium
Address: 285 Graham Road, Bridgeman Downs, QLD 4035
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-12:30pm
Services: Cremation and burial on-site
Location and accessibility
Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium serves as Brisbane’s primary Northside funeral location, owned and operated by Brisbane City Council. Located in Bridgeman Downs, this established facility has been supporting Brisbane families for decades, offering both cremation and burial services in a peaceful, well-maintained setting, surrounded by mature gardens and memorial spaces.
The Pinnaroo Cemetery is particularly popular with Northside families due to its convenient location and accessibility from suburbs including:
- Chermside and surrounding areas (10-15 minutes)
- Aspley, Carseldine and Zillmere (15-20 minutes)
- Albany Creek and Eatons Hill (20-25 minutes)
- Strathpine and Petrie (25-30 minutes)
- Redcliffe Peninsula (30-35 minutes)
Facilities and services
Funeral Chapel
Pinnaroo’s memorial chapel is designed to suit a wide range of funeral services, welcoming families from all cultural, religious and personal backgrounds.
The chapel comfortably seats up to 85 guests, with room for a further 40 standing attendees. Its open, light-filled layout creates a peaceful environment where families can reflect and honour their loved one.
Audio-visual facilities are available, including screens and sound equipment for music, video tributes and photo presentations.
Cremation Services
When a funeral service is held at a private venue or place of worship, your funeral director will arrange transport of the coffin to the crematorium.
Cremations generally take place shortly after the service, subject to availability. Ashes are typically ready within two to three days, either for collection or placement within a memorial location.
Ashes Memorial Options
Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium provides a range of memorial settings for ashes, allowing families to choose a tribute that feels right for them.
Each option offers a peaceful and well-maintained setting for remembrance. Available options include:
- Native garden memorials
- Granite garden memorials
- Kerbed garden sites
- Niche wall memorials
Queensland Garden of Remembrance
Located within Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, the Queensland Garden of Remembrance is managed by the Office of Australian War Graves.
The garden has capacity for approximately 45,500 memorial plaques and serves as a place of national significance.
Missing Persons Memorial Garden
To acknowledge and honour individuals who remain missing, a dedicated memorial garden has been established within the cemetery.
Returned Service Personnel Areas
Specially designated areas are available for Returned Service personnel and their spouses. These include lawn burial sections and dedicated walls for ashes, recognising service and sacrifice.
Catering and Reception Facilities
Following a funeral service, families may wish to come together in a quiet, respectful space to share memories and connect.
Pinnaroo offers catering services with a selection of quality food, along with hot and cold beverages. The reception facilities can host up to 100 guests, with seating for 40 indoors and an additional 60 guests in the covered outdoor area.
We recommend Mt Gravatt Cemetery and Crematorium for Southside families
For southside Brisbane families, Mt Gravatt Cemetery and Crematorium offers similar council-owned reliability and service quality. Also managed by Brisbane City Council, this facility provides both cremation and burial services with the same standardised pricing and processes as Pinnaroo Cemetery.
Address: 620 Logan Road, Macgregor, QLD 4109
Services: Cremation and burial with two chapel options
Mt Gravatt’s location makes it particularly convenient for families in suburbs like:
- Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt
- Carindale and Mansfield
- Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills
- Holland Park and Greenslopes
- Coorparoo and Camp Hill
The facility maintains the same high standards of ground maintenance and chapel facilities that characterise Brisbane’s council-managed cemeteries. While both locations offer identical services and pricing, families often choose based on geographical convenience and personal connections to different areas of Brisbane.
Other Brisbane cemeteries and crematoriums (at a glance)
Brisbane offers several additional cemetery and crematorium options to serve different communities and preferences:
- Toowong Cemetery: Heritage-listed cemetery with significant historical importance and beautiful heritage grounds
- Hemmant Cemetery: Historic cemetery offering traditional burial services in a peaceful riverside setting
- Albany Creek Cemetery: Northside burial location serving northern suburbs with traditional burial options
- Albany Creek Memorial Park: is a peaceful, privately-owned cemetery with burial and cremation memorials.
- Nudgee Cemetery: Community cemetery serving the Nudgee and surrounding areas
- Mt Thompson Crematorium: Dedicated cremation facility in Coorparoo serving eastern suburbs
- Great Southern Memorial Park: Private cemetery option in Jimboomba with unique memorial features and premium services
For a comprehensive overview of all Brisbane cemeteries and crematoriums, including detailed information about services, locations, and pricing, visit our Cemeteries and Crematoriums page.
Council-owned vs private cemeteries
Understanding the distinction between council and private cemeteries can help inform your decision-making process during this difficult time.
Brisbane City Council-owned cemeteries
Advantages:
- Cost-effectiveness: Generally, more affordable with standardised, transparent pricing
- Long-term stability: Brisbane City Council’s permanent presence ensures ongoing maintenance and management
- Consistent processes: Standardised booking, pricing and service procedures across all locations
- Community focus: Managed as a community service rather than commercial enterprise
- Established reputation: Decades of reliable service to Brisbane families with consistent quality standards
Private Cemeteries
Advantages:
- Premium features: Often offer unique locations, specialised services or luxury amenities
- Specialised options: May cater to specific religious, cultural or memorial preferences
- Unique memorial features: Custom memorial options and premium landscaping
Considerations:
- Higher costs: Typically more expensive than council alternatives with variable pricing structures
- Variable ownership: Management may change over time as businesses are sold or restructured
- Commercial focus: Operated as business ventures with profit considerations affecting decisions
Neither option is inherently better. The choice depends on your family’s priorities, budget and personal preferences. As a family-owned funeral home, we help you weigh these considerations without pressure, ensuring your choice feels right for your unique circumstances.
How to choose the right Brisbane cemetery or crematorium for your family
Selecting the right Brisbane cemetery location involves considering several personal and practical factors that matter most to your family.
Location and accessibility considerations
- Proximity to family members for future visits and ongoing connection
- Ease of access for elderly relatives or those with mobility challenges
- Parking availability and public transport options for service day
- Familiarity with the area and comfort level for family members
- Travel time from different suburbs where family members live
Budget and financial considerations
- Service fees and ongoing maintenance costs
- Additional charges for weekend services or extended chapel time
- Memorial options and long-term care fees
- Payment timing and flexible options during difficult financial periods
- Comparisons between council and private options
Service availability
- Chapel sizes and booking availability for your preferred dates (once known)
- Cremation vs burial options available on-site
- Religious or cultural accommodations and special requirements
- Timing flexibility for family members travelling from interstate
- Weekend and holiday availability
Personal and family preferences
- Family history or tradition with specific locations
- Aesthetic preferences for grounds, facilities and memorial options
- Community connections and local significance
- Pre-purchased plots or existing family arrangements
- Cultural or religious requirements
Remember, this decision doesn’t need to be made alone. Anton Brown Funerals can guide you through these considerations without pressure and help you find an option that feels right for your family’s unique circumstances. We discuss your family’s preferences, location convenience, budget considerations and service requirements without any pressure or sales tactics. Our local Brisbane expertise and multi-generational relationships with cemetery staff help you understand options clearly, and we handle all coordination directly with your chosen facility.
We’re here to help you navigate your options
Whether you’re considering Pinnaroo cemetery and crematorium or exploring other Brisbane options, the most important factor is feeling confident and comfortable with your decision. As a family-owned business, we understand that every family’s story is unique, and what matters most to us, isn’t just providing a service but building a relationship of trust during life’s most challenging moments.
Anton Brown Funerals is here to guide Brisbane families through these choices with clarity, compassion and local expertise, ensuring you have the gentle support needed during difficult times. Our multi-generational experience has taught us that the right choice is simply the one that brings your family peace and best honours your loved one’s memory.
Ready to discuss your options? Contact us at any time of day or night, we’re always available to support you in need.
Frequently asked questions
Can services be held on weekends at Pinnaroo cemetery?
Yes, weekend services are available at Pinnaroo cemetery and crematorium. However, additional surcharges apply from both the cemetery and the funeral director for weekend bookings. Many families find the extra cost worthwhile for the convenience, especially when accommodating extended family members or work schedules that make weekday services challenging.
Can I prepay cemetery plots in Brisbane?
As of 1 July 2025, prepaid cemetery plots are no longer available through Brisbane City Council-managed facilities, including Pinnaroo cemetery and Mt Gravatt. If this policy changes in future, we’ll guide families through any updated options. For now, arrangements are made at the time of need with flexible payment options available to ease financial stress.
Are cremations available at all Brisbane cemeteries?
No. Only selected cemeteries, including Pinnaroo cemetery and Mt Gravatt, have on-site crematorium facilities. Other locations may require cremation to occur elsewhere, followed by burial or memorialisation. This makes Pinnaroo particularly convenient for families choosing cremation services.
