The station's architectural design was overseen by James Barnet, the New South Wales Government Architect.

It was decided that funeral processions could be conducted with more dignity and ease if more formal stations were constructed to replace the original ones, which had corrugated iron and timber structures.

A scheme was initiated in 1868 to segregate funeral operations from regular railway activities by establishing new platforms.

[1] The sandstone station building included wide platforms, a ticket office, two vestibules, retiring rooms and a carriage port.

[3] This building was elaborately decorated in a similar style to Regent Street railway station in Redfern.

[5] In the middle of 2000, work began to improve the station site (at Rookwood Cemetery) and to restore the original pathways.

1 Mortuary Receiving Station and states that building work commenced on 14 April 1867, and was completed 10 August 1869.