DIY headstones make it more affordable to honour loved ones, by Toby Hemmings, ABC Central West, 6 April 2025

A 25-year-old Aboriginal man holds up a design to the camera.

Luke Parsons designed this indented concrete artwork in his father’s memory. (ABC Central West: Toby Hemmings)

Luke Parsons never had the chance to meet his dad.

The 25-year-old Wiradjuri man’s father died two months before he was born.

“Hearing all of his stories growing up, it pushed me to be a better person and show his story,” said Mr Parsons, who lives in Cowra in the NSW Central West.

Recently, he has been able to honour his dad’s final resting place with a headstone he has made himself.

“I came across this design on my phone and it sort of spoke his name, so putting that onto the plaque is pretty meaningful,” Mr Parsons said.

“I’ve been speaking to my older brother and sisters. They love it.

“The fact that something’s actually getting done about it.”

Headstone healing

Photo shows An Aboriginal woman standing among a group of colourful graves with mosaic headstones.An Aboriginal woman standing among a group of colourful graves with mosaic headstones.

An Aboriginal community in far west New South Wales works through grief for lost loved ones with a hands-on project using the art of mosaic.

Mr Parsons enrolled in a four-week course at TAFE NSW teaching people concreting skills to make headstones.

He has learnt how to make his own moulds, place and pour concrete, cure it and finish the surface.

He was also taught how to finish the base of the headstone so that the image sticks out from the surface like braille.

“By everyone doing their own design, it’s telling their own stories,” Mr Parsons said.

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