Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust

🌼 Native planting improvements coming this May 🌼

From late May, we’ll be refreshing four garden beds in the Talinga and Port Jackson Lawn sections at Cheltenham Memorial Park with thoughtful horticultural works designed to support both beauty and biodiversity.

More than 700 native and indigenous shrubs, wildflowers, groundcovers and grasses will be planted, bringing soft colour, texture and seasonal interest to these spaces 🌿

The works will also include soil remediation, organic mulch, and the replacement of selected exotic plants that are no longer thriving.

🌱 Native plantings play an important role in supporting small birds and pollinators, helping connect habitats within the cemetery landscape.

Access to these garden beds may be limited for a short time during works. We look forward to sharing the results as these plantings grow and settle over time.

Visit engagewith.smct.org.au/cmp-garden-works for updates.

Customer Service Update: Wednesday, 13 May

Please be advised that on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, our customer service teams will be participating in a compulsory safety and wellbeing training session.

To facilitate this, our central Contact Centre and on-site customer service centres at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Bunurong Memorial Park, and Melbourne General Cemetery will be closed from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Please note that all cemetery and memorial park grounds will remain fully open to the public during this time for visitation and quiet reflection.

Additionally, for those visiting Springvale Botanical Cemetery, please be aware that page-turn requests at the Garden of No Distant Place may experience delays during this morning period.

Normal customer service operations across all sites and our Contact Centre will resume at 12:30 pm. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we invest in the safety and wellbeing of our team.

This Saturday 25 April, we're holding our second ever ANZAC Dawn Service at the Springvale War Cemetery within SBC. The service will start at 6 am with our mobile cafe Hilda serving jam donuts and warm coffee beforehand. ☕
You, your family and friends are welcome to attend. Join us as we honour the people who have served our country. 🎖️❤️
For event details, please visit https://www.smct.org.au/events/anzac-dawn-service

National Miscarriage Awareness Day and Tour of the Butterfly Garden

SMCT & Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS) warmly invite you to join us for the annual National Miscarriage Awareness Day service, including a guided tour of the Butterfly Garden (miscarriage and early pregnancy loss memorial garden) at Bunurong Memorial Park.

National Miscarriage Awareness Day, recognised annually on the first Sunday in May, is a day of remembrance and reflection for those impacted by miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, and to honour babies lost too soon.

Date: Sunday 3 May 2026

Proceedings: Arrival from 10.45am
11.00am - 12.00pm: Remembrance Service
12.00pm - 12.30pm: Refreshments
12.30pm - 1.00pm: Tour of the Butterfly Garden

Venue: The service and refreshments will be held in The Sanctuary at Bunurong Memorial Park, and guests will then proceed to the Butterfly Garden.

To register for the event, please visit: https://www.smct.org.au/events/national-miscarriage-awareness-day-butterfly-garden-launch

Further enquiries: [email protected]

Designed in collaboration with Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS) and community, the garden is a place to honour enduring love and remembrance for those who have experienced miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.