The sale marks the end of a process which started with testing market interest in the potential sale or lease of the Philip Charley Drive facility.

The move proved controversial with a petition and a protest.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council decided in August 2019 to negotiate terms and enter into a contract of sale for Innes Gardens Memorial Park Crematorium and Lawn Cemetery.

The sale was completed on July 1, 2020.

The new owner is Innes Gardens Memorial Park Holdings, which is part of the Walker Funeral Group.

The Walker Funeral Group, as part of the contract of sale, also committed to invest in capital improvements to the facility within the next 12 months.

All existing perpetual prepaid burial, right of burial or right of cremation inurnment previously granted by the council will be transferred and honoured.

Council director Rebecca Olsen said the investment by the Walker Funeral Group, which would include the proposed construction of an onsite function centre and general improvements to the existing facility, would ensure the best possible ongoing delivery of cremation, lawn cemetery and memorialisation services.

"Throughout the sale process, Walker Funeral Group has demonstrated its commitment to improving the current level of service and expanding the range of facilities and services available for our community," Ms Olsen said.

"Community consultation identified a number of things that were important to our community, including the continuing operation of the site as a crematorium and lawn cemetery, the ongoing care and protection of existing burial and cremation remains, honouring of existing reservations and prepaid burials, and the continuation of a high maintenance standard.

"These important items, along with protection of the existing koala habitat on the site, have been addressed through the terms of the contract of sale."

Walker Funeral Group owners David and Melissa Walker said they intend to continue operating Innes Gardens Memorial Park as a public facility.

"We understand the importance of providing the community with access to affordable burial and cremation options, and believe that we can strengthen and improve existing services, by the prudent deployment of capital, offering different styles of memorialisation, and most importantly an integrated refreshments room and cafe onsite," Mr Walker said.

"Operationally we will see minimal change to current processes and procedures, with current staff remaining the same.

"We have relied on their extensive knowledge and will continue to do so moving forward.

"We thank them and council for their assistance with the transition."

Innes Gardens Memorial Park includes a 150-seat chapel, administration offices, extensive grounds and memorial gardens.

It provides a range of crematorium, lawn cemetery and memorialisation services to the community in conjunction with funeral services provided by local funeral directors.

Hastings District Funeral and Cremation Service area manager Brian Hutchison believes Innes Gardens Memorial Park should have remained in council ownership.

"I just hope it works out for the community," he said.

Mid Coast Funeral and Cremation Service echoed Mr Hutchison's view.

Brendan Nugent from Mark G Hammond Funeral Services and Wauchope and District Funerals said he was encouraged by the new owner's future plans to provide more options to families and by their agreement to honour prepaid arrangements.

Mr Nugent was critical of the council's communication process leading up to the sale finalisation but was happy with the new owner's communication with funeral directors.

The sale proceeds will be placed into a reserve to fund future council projects and/or services.

The council continues to manage 11 cemeteries.

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