History was on parade when more than 1,000 visitors enjoying Woronora Memorial Park's Open Day last Saturday.
The popular community event formed part of the National Trust's Heritage Festival which this year had the theme 'Connecting People, Places and the Past'.
"Our aim was to make the 2019 Open Day a true family event," said Carolyn Dowe, Senior Manager, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries NSW.
"Gauging by the wonderful feedback, in this aim we absolutely succeeded."
Visitors took the opportunity to ride in an authentic Cobb and Co coach.
Children had a petting zoo, pony rides and face painting.
The SES were on site with emergency equipment including a boat along with their Platypus mascot who proved popular with the kids.
Near the St John Ambulance, a fire engine allowed children to direct water from hoses on a specially design target.
Also on display, courtesy of Loftus Royal Fire Service, was a Vintage fire engine.
A crowd-pleaser was the heavy grave digging equipment where the grave digging team explained which machines they used in monumental areas, which they used when they encountered rock and how "lowering devices" operated.
Interest focused on music provided by the Burwood RSL Pipes and drums Scottish band; the cemetery team had ordered 1,800 sausages most of which were consumed.
Ms Dowe said Celeste Catering distributed 1,500 free scones, jam, cream, tea and coffee in an outdoor garden setting next to the Cemeteries' South Chapel.
"The 2019 Open Day proved a wonderful opportunity to demystify what goes on at a cemetery and crematorium," Ms Dowe said.
"We had around 500 people who took the behind the scenes tour of the new crematorium, with our staff answering any questions. The tours of the crematorium and questions and answers associated with how a crematorium works was a very educational experience for all involved."
Other families visited six of the leading funeral directors who serve the Shire and broader community, asking questions about funerals with those funeral directors handing out many packs on how to best prepare.
"A huge thanks to all those who participated and worked so hard to make this Open Day a truly memorable one for so many families and friends," Ms Dowe said.
