Catafalques

Cemetery Equipment, Products

Recent leading edge catafalque designs demonstrate how catafalque function can be modified in innovative and flexible ways to operate in new contexts.

Macarthur Memorial Park, Sydney

Austeng is excited to partner with Macarthur Memorial Parks to build two state of the art catafalques, for placement within its distinctive chapel at their new facility. The catafalques have been installed and once the chapel has been completed, the final commissioning will take place and the catafalques will be available for use. See more on this project including an installation video here.

PORTABLE CATAFALQUE – BUNURONG MEMORIAL PARK, MELBOURNE

Recent extensive building works at Bunurong Memorial Park, Sandhurst have culminated in a number of reflection spaces/function rooms that can accommodate multiple community needs rather than those simply relating to traditional funeral/memorial services.

In line with this context, the specification for the three catafalques from the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) included not only requirements relating to leading edge innovative design and operability but also full portability whilst embodying the highest aesthetic considerations. During the consultation process, Austeng were also able to offer rendered concept images and operational sequencing animations of innovative and unusual catafalque shapes (such as ellipsoid and cylindrical) to assist in the Cemetery Board’s consideration of alternative designs.

Three battery powered catafalques were manufactured with portability provided via a battery powered tow tug. The patterned, forged glass extends upwards and provides additional screening of the casket during committal as well as providing a sense of occasion and a tangible sense of finality/interment for the mourners.

An easy to use remote control allows automated platform and glass raising/lowering sequencing. Fault detection and battery status indicators are incorporated in the remote handset.

Phil Snow SMCT Bunurong Project Manager commented “…the portability aspect adds to the versatility of our spaces. Also they are aesthetically pleasing as well as easy to operate. many funeral directors commented positively on their versatility and appearance at the Opening Day”.

VICTORIA POLICE ACADEMY – MT WAVERLEY

Victoria Police commissioned Austeng to design and manufacture a custom coffin presentation trolley for use in ceremonial funeral services for past/present Victoria Police members.

A sleek mobile timber box with integrated coffin roller deck is embellished with ‘Police Blue’ glass inserts and Bronze Victoria Police Emblems.

ROOKWOOD CATHOLIC, SYDNEY

At the end of 2015 Austeng manufactured and installed a new catafalque for Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria’s Sacred heart Chapel at Rookwood Catholic.

This fixed catafalque was custom designed to fit into an existing pit inside the timber lined chapel. The attendant can select a half lower function where the casket just lowers from view, or a full lower function where once the casket is at the base of the pit, timber doors close up to seal off the catafalque opening.

One of the engineering challenges was the chapel and crematorium are on different floor levels with about 2.7m height difference. Once the service concludes the casket is again raised up and transferred via a transport trolley to a lift that conveys the casket to the crematorium below. From there the casket is transported via a transport trolley to a cool room or directly to the cremator charge bier. This results in successfully overcoming all of the inherent manual handling challenges.

Transfer Van Module

Cemetery Equipment

In consultation with members of the funeral and cremation industry we have developed a module that provides an efficient, ergonomic, worker friendly system to utilize the full capacity of any transfer van. This helps to minimize the risk of back injury and assists compliance with health and safety regulations and requirements. Other advantages include its appearance, (neat and clean), easy to wash as well as its durability.

There are many vans, and variants, in circulation throughout Australia. The equipment therefore is proven and reliable in the field and the industry can reap the benefits of the development work Austeng has carried out with the funeral industry.

The concept of the equipment is a fixed height roller bed attached to the floor of the van. An elevating roller bend travels between the floor level and 2/3 height of the internal van space. The elevating platform will stop and lock in any position. The top deck is designed to maximise available vehicle space.

The lift system is either hydraulic “phased” cylinders or a fully-electric linear actuators ensure the platform always lifts and holds square and evenly.

The broad specifications are:

Capacity – 4 coffins or equivalent (two on floor of van and two on elevating platform)
Loading – Elevating platform 250 kg SWL. Loadings on lower deck are limited only to the vehicles structure
Elevating Platform – approximately useable length 2200mm fitted with five rollers on each side. Construction is smooth with no awkward corners for ease of cleaning.
Fixed Platform – five rollers on each side with space under for trolleys
Lift System – Hydraulic or Electric Actuator
Roof ventilation and cabin vapour barrier
Vinyl bumper pads and coffin stops

Other features/options:

Stainless steel “kick bar” on rear bumper or fold-down ramp for collapsing trolleys and bumper bar protection
Curtains to side and rear doors – optional
Internal cabinetry – optional
Remote controlled operation – optional
Interior lighting – optional

Please see a video of our hydraulic Transfer Van deck in operation HERE.

ELECTRIC ACTUATOR LIFT

HYDRAULIC LIFT

Grave Safety Fence

Cemetery Equipment, Products

The Austeng Grave Safety Fence addresses and reduces two health & safety issues currently facing cemetery operators. These are:

The risk of mourners or cemetery staff falling into an open grave (which may be up to 2.7 metres deep)
Manual handling risks involved in pall-bearers transferring the coffin from the hearse to the grave and then lowering it

The Fence frame itself is made from tubular steel and is lightweight but stable. If struck by a falling person it is strong enough to support the combined weight of a coffin and the forces simultaneously applied by pall-bearers when placing the coffin onto the fence support brackets, prior to mechanically lowering or when manually lowered into the grave.

The Graveside Safety Fence comes in two options:

1. “Stand-alone” Grave Safety Fence
2. “Dismantlable” Grave Safety Fence

Custom sizes and features are available – contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.

Also available is an aluminium shoring shield used to protect the top edge of the excavation. Green matting is placed over to dress up the grave prior to a funeral.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Funding Grants are often available for the purchasing of cemetery equipment from the Department of Health, Victoria.

Priority is given to equipment funding that enhances the safety of the facility (e.g. Grave Covers, Shoring, Grave Fences).

See Vic Health Cemetery Grants for details and application forms.

Grave Shoring

Cemetery Equipment, Products

Austeng Grave Shoring is used to support the sides of a grave. There has been more than one incident in Victoria where a grave digger has been trapped when the grave sides have given way. Aluminium was chosen as it is easy to clean, light weight, durable and adds a clean and professional finish to the grave.

The aluminium Grave Shoring is divided into horizontal sections that lock together. Each section can be lifted by hand.

The Grave Shoring is made to suit the cemetery’s grave size. The thickness of the sections are approximately 50mm and thus over-size graves need not be dug to accommodate the Grave Shoring.

The standard version is 2200mm long, 1800mm deep (fully assembled from 2×3 sections) and adjustable in width from 700 to 1000mm.

Optional extras include end panels for site with higher risks of subsidence.

Both of these features make it suitable for use in old monumental areas.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Funding Grants are often available for the purchasing of cemetery equipment from the Department of Health, Victoria.

Priority is given to equipment funding that enhances the safety of the facility (e.g. Grave Covers, Shoring, Grave Fences).

See Vic Health Cemetery Grants for details and application forms.

Grave Cover

Cemetery Equipment, Products

The cover is designed to overcome the problem created by an open grave site and the potential danger this represents for both employees and visitors. It is manufactured from lightweight aluminium tubing and covered with unbreakable, corrugated plastic “Lexan” sheeting (colour tinting of Lexan is an option). The weight is less than 20kg so can easily be handled by two people. We have included a warning sign to either end. Other features include lifting handles provided on both ends and tie down holes provided in each corner. By adding wheels to one end, handling the cover becomes a one person operation.

The plastic cover is:

U.V resistant
Highly visible
Easily able to be lifted

This highly visible cover has a professional appearance which indicates to the general public the cemetery’s commitment to safety of the public as well as their own staff.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Funding Grants are often available for the purchasing of cemetery equipment from the Department of Health, Victoria.

Priority is given to equipment funding that enhances the safety of the facility (e.g. Grave Covers, Shoring, Grave Fences).

See Vic Health Cemetery Grants for details and application forms.

AUSLITE GANTRY

Cemetery Equipment, News

The AUSLITE gantry is here. The next step in a ‘no lift’ industry.

Austeng and Lite Industries have collaborated to develop the Auslite gantry to address the risks of manual handling of coffins and monumental ledgers.

There has been a growing awareness of the risks and responsibilities associated with the manual handling within cemeteries especially coffins and ledgers for some time now. These risks and responsibilities are growing as OH&S legislation becomes more onerous, coffins become larger and heavier and there is a greater propensity for litigation generally. Moreover, Cemetery Boards and management recognise that they cannot contract-out their duty of care to funeral directors, families or other persons while they are performing tasks within the cemetery site. The challenge is that cemeteries have a diverse and challenging range of issues facing them from narrow pathways, restricting access, hilly uneven ground, varying height and width monuments and so on.

The gantry is modular, lightweight, easily transportable and can come in a variety of finishes. A dual battery powered hoist arrangement with remote control allows coffins and ledgers to be easily handled is a safe and controlled manner. For coffin interment, quick-release clips allow the lowering straps to be detached without entering the grave.

The gantry has been engineered to meet all relevant National Lifting Codes and Safety Regulations.

The use of the gantry minimises risk of injury to funeral directors, cemetery staff, and family members with the process also being seen as more respectful.

See brochure Auslite Gantry

See Auslite Gantry Demonstration

See ACCA NEWS WINTER 2017

Mausoleum Shutter Handling Modules

Cemetery Equipment

Austeng has developed a range of mausoleum marble and granite crypt front lifting devices including Forston Lift integrated solutions, stand alone lifts and order-picker integration. This is in response to the health and safety challenges associated with lifting the very heavy mausoleum crypt front as well as the possible risk of employees over balancing at heights.

The devices provide an efficient, ergonomic, worker friendly system to handle all sizes of shutters without any significant operator effort. By eliminating the heavy lifting we have minimized the risk of back injury and your organization is complying with health and safety regulations and requirements.

The latest Shutter Handling Device is the Dellar Shutter Handling Device that integrates into the popular Forston Low Boy Mausoleum Lift.

See examples of shutter handling solutions below.

This lifter attaches to a standard casket lift device and is very easy to use. The top attachment screws are undone and the top of the shutter is moved out just far enough to attach the grippers (2-3cms). Releasing a clip on the grippers secures the crypt front which can now be lifted, by our device, into the cradle on the Scissor Trolley. To refit the Shutter after the internment the process described above is reversed. Removing the lifting device so the Scissor Trolley can be used for the internment takes 2-3 minutes.

Mausoleum Interment Trolley

Cemetery Equipment, Products

The Austeng Mausoleum Interment Trolley was designed and built in response to a request to design a safer and more dignified method of placing coffins and caskets into mausoleum crypts at any level. It greatly reduces OH&S issues as it eliminates the need for the operator to be elevated and has safe, single operator functions.

Features of the Mausoleum Internment Trolley:

robust hydraulic lift action
versatile & flexible – can be pushed from location to location
stainless steel top deck
powdercoated exterior
panels & zinc plated fittings
performs conventional longitudinal and couch internments via roller sets controlled by push buttons
interments are now a one-person job
shutter lifter can also be used with this device

The trolley can be specially designed to accommodate any unique site requirements.

By any measure the Austeng Mausoleum Interment Trolley will revolutionize this part of the industry. CLICK HERE to view a video showing the trolley in action or contact us for further information or request to be sent.

Forston Low Boy Mausoleum Lift

Cemetery Equipment, Products

The Forston Lift has been the preferred Mausoleum Interment Device in Australian Cemeteries for decades, making shutter handling and coffin interment a safe and efficient task.

Austeng provide sales, importation logistics, Australian Standards compliance, service & repair along with upgrades of the Forston Low Boy Mausoleum Lift across Australia.

In 2013, the Forston Lift achieved Design Registration as an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) with Work Safe Victoria.

For more information on the Forston Low Boy Mausoleum Lift see below:

Forston Website

Low-Boy-Brochure

Forston Lift on YouTube

Forston Mausoleum Lifts – Safety Upgrades

Cemetery Equipment, Products, Projects

Safety Meets Innovation in the Cemetery Industry

We’ve just delivered two upgraded Forston Mausoleum Lifts – designed in the USA, engineered and enhanced by Austeng to meet Australian standards. 💡

These lifts are setting a new benchmark for safe, respectful mausoleum operations.

🔧 How Austeng enhanced the lifts:

✅ Rewiring and programming to meet Australia’s rigorous safety standards

✅ Tilt sensing to prevent unsafe operation on uneven ground

✅Pressure transducer to avoid overloading

✅Dellar shutter handling module with remotely actuated arms and secure shutter supports

✅Crypt access platform and guards for safe access during crypt cleaning

✅Lanyard anchor points for added fall protection • Modular safety components – easy to install and remove

💬 The Forston Mausoleum Lift is just one of many safety-driven initiatives Austeng offers in the cemetery industry.

Visit our website to explore more cemetery safety products or enquire about custom solutions tailored to your needs:

The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (Victoria) enhanced the Forston Lift with the development of the Dellar Shutter Handling Device to further reduce the risk of manual handling of heavy mausoleum shutters. The device integrates with the Forston Lift and uses remote controlled electric actuated shutter handling arms with integrated locks to make removal and fitment of a shutter and safe, no lift operation.

The concept resulted in SMCT becoming a top 3 finalist result at the 2018 WorkSafe Awards in the Best Solution to a Manual Handling Issue category.

Austeng worked with SMCT to refine the prototype design, provide engineering certification and manufactures and installs the Dellar Shutter Handling Device under agreement with SMCT.

Austeng has developed additional task specific safety upgrades for the Forston Lift including:

Certified fall arrest lanyard anchor points
Supplementary guard railing and access platform for crypt access
Self-locking shutter clamps

Modern Burial Systems

Cemetery Equipment, Modern Burial Systems, Products

The new approach to interment that significantly increases cemetery revenue. The Modern Burial comprises a series of underground interlocking precast concrete crypts. Lawn is grown over the crypts and a patented lid lifting machine removes the lid and the overlay of lawn when a crypt is ready for a burial. This system can offer significant savings in land use, labour, equipment, grounds maintenance costs and storage facilities as well as an increase in revenue and the ability to return cemetery grounds to their pre-burial conditions. It can also be used in areas where the traditional burial process is difficult if not impossible e.g. rocky areas, where there is a high water table or in sandy soils. Sections of existing parts of cemeteries once thought unsuitable for burials can now be utilised. Advantages over traditional burial process include:

Quicker and more efficient – Actual interment time is quicker, (one hour turn-around)
Greater land utilisation – Up to 60% more than traditional methods
Safety advantages – Eliminates need for grave shoring
Flexibility – Allows installation in any soil type
Aesthetically pleasing – Clean and tidy with no excavation mess
Long term advantages – Makes grave re-use and maintenance easier
Significantly increases revenue – The above factors will result in greater revenue for your cemetery

This is a revolutionary system with substantial year-on-year savings for those organisations that have made the investment in pre-laid crypts. A detailed financial analysis can be provided up on request to outline these savings.

See images of the MBS Lid Lifters here Modern Burial System Video

MBS & GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

Geopolymer material can be used as an alternative to conventional concrete made from Ordinary Portland Cement (“OPC”). The provides significant environmental benefits including:- CO² emissions