Melbourne General Cemetery

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Carlton North, VIC
Melbourne General Cemetery

Melbourne's iconic and historically significant cemetery, characterised by its prime location, notable interments and Prime Ministers' Garden.

Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is a public entity reporting to the Minister for Health, purposed with providing cemetery, cremation and related support services to the community on the government’s behalf. One of Australia’s most historically significant cemeteries, Melbourne General Cemetery is characterised by it’s notable interments, heritage listed Gate House, Prime Ministers Ga

rden and Saint Mary of the Cross mausoleum. Established in 1852, Melbourne General Cemetery is one of 11 cemeteries within the care of the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) and is SMCT’s oldest cemetery. The striking grounds, designed like a large public park, span 43 hectares (106 acres) and feature many historic and ornate monuments.

05/06/2026

Cemeteries aren’t often the first place people think of when it comes to environmental action. 🌿 This , we’re showing what’s possible when we rethink their role.

Across more than 370 hectares, our 11 cemeteries and memorial parks are more than places of remembrance. Here are some of the ways we’re making progress, from reducing emissions and shifting to renewable energy, to strengthening biodiversity and increasing our recycled waste stream.

Together, these efforts show what environmental stewardship looks like in practice. 🌏

👉 Read our latest article to explore the work in more detail: https://smct.org.au/sustainability

04/06/2026

A gentle reminder to secure today’s rates before 30 June

We know that thinking about the future can be difficult, but taking the step to plan ahead is one of the most practical and thoughtful gifts you can leave for your family.

If you have been considering pre-planning a memorial space or arrangement at one of our sites, we want to let you know that our current prices are locked in until 30 June 2026.

From 1 July 2026, a government-regulated price update of 3.1% will take effect across all Victorian cemetery trusts in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

By completing your pre-planning arrangements this month, you can finalise your choices at our lower rates. More importantly, pre-planning locks in the cost of your selected products and services forever, completely protecting your family from any future cost increases.

Whether you are looking at arrangements for yourself or a loved one, our team is available to help you navigate these updates and understand exactly what they mean for you.

Our Sales and Contact Centre teams are here to guide you with care and clarity at every step of the way. Book an obligation-free appointment with us today to discuss your plans.

Visit https://www.smct.org.au/news/2026-planned-price-updates for more information.

27/05/2026

🖤💛❤️ Through Project Cultivate, we continue to explore and learn about caring for Country.
In consultation with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Corporation, we recently shared interpretive signage featuring the Wurundjeri Seven Seasons, where we are now in Waring season. Now that our initial grasslands sections have been cut back, the green shoots that are one of the environmental indicators of Waring season have been popping through. We’re enjoying those misty mornings and hearing the Currawongs call out through the day.

Working together, we have a greater appreciation and understanding of the land, the plants and the changing of the seasons. We acknowledge and thank the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Custodians of this land also known as Melbourne General Cemetery, and are privileged to share the honour of caring for this beautiful space.

21/05/2026

Calling all green thumbs! 🌱🌸
Come help us add native wildflower colour this Saturday 23 May. This might be our last sunny planting day at MGC for a while, so get your gloves on and get planting! 💚

We meet from 10am at the rotunda near the Macpherson Street entrance. to Melbourne General Cemetery. BYO hat, closed toe shoes and keen planting hands. No experience necessary. Be part of this all-ages event planting in our award-winning native grasslands.

For details and to register, visit https://engagewith.smct.org.au/cultivate-planting-days

14/05/2026

Help us add native wildflower colour to our Cultivate grasslands 🌱🌸
Join us on Saturday 23 May to add locally native plants to the award-winning Project Cultivate grasslands. Be part of this all-ages event strengthening urban biodiversity in the heart of the city. 💚

We meet from 10am at the rotunda near the Macpherson Street entrance. to Melbourne General Cemetery. BYO hat, closed toe shoes and keen planting hands. No experience necessary.

For details and to register, visit https://engagewith.smct.org.au/cultivate-planting-days

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12/05/2026

Visitor Update: Wednesday, 13 May

Please note a brief update to our customer service hours for Wednesday, 13 May.

From 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, the on-site customer service centre at Melbourne General Cemetery and our central Contact Centre will be closed while our team completes compulsory safety training.

The cemetery grounds will remain fully open to the public for visitation throughout the morning.

Our customer service team will resume normal operations at 12:30 pm. Thank you for your support and understanding.

04/05/2026

Important Notice:
Due to essential plumbing works, water will be unavailable at the Melbourne General Cemetery today. Bathroom facilities will be impacted during this time.
We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

29/04/2026

We are restoring a section of the Lygon Street fence damaged by debris and the natural slope of Melbourne General Cemetery.
Soil removal works will take place from Monday 4 May to Wednesday 6 May 2026 in the Presbyterian S area near the East Gate.
A small section will be temporarily restricted, as shown in the diagram below. Visitor access to the cemetery, including the East Gate path, will remain open.
If you need to visit a memorial in the restricted work area, our team can assist you. Please contact our Customer Support team on 1300 466 904 or [email protected], or visit reception on arrival.
Please follow all signs and directions from our team while work is underway.
Thank you for your understanding as we complete these important works to protect and maintain the cemetery.
For more information, please visit https://engagewith.smct.org.au/mgc-works

26/04/2026

Join the City Nature Challenge 25-28 April 2026 🐝🌱🌸
The City Nature Challenge is a worldwide initiative to gather observations of wild plants and animals.
This year, we encourage you to explore our beautiful sites, and log it as part of the local council area. 📷 Snap a photo of a plant or animal, or record a call, and upload it to iNaturalist between 25 - 28 April 2026.
Your observations are automatically added to the project, and will help your local council (and SMCT!) understand who and what is growing in our urban spaces.
➡️ Visit the iNaturalist page here
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/.../city-nature-challenge...
🪲 For more tips visit https://engagewith.smct.org.au/calling-all-citizen...

30/03/2026

🌿 Our native grasslands are living systems — and like any healthy ecosystem, they need regular care to stay diverse and resilient.

It’s now been almost three years since we planted native grasses in areas near Macpherson Street and Lygon Street as part of Project Cultivate. These plantings have established extremely well, and it’s now time for their seasonal “reset” to keep the landscape thriving.

From late March to early April, a specialist grassland team will be carrying out seasonal works to:

✅ reduce built up grass biomass
✅ reduce the height of some of the grass species
🌸 reinvigorate wildflowers
❌ remove any weeds
🌱 support a balanced, healthy grassland habitat

You may see us cutting back some of the tall grasses. This is a normal and important part of how native grasslands are managed, helping them stay strong, diverse and visually refreshed for the seasons ahead.

Visitor access in this area won’t be affected during the works.
To learn more about our grassland program, visit: engagewith.smct.org.au/grasslands

Address

College Crescent
Carlton North, VIC
3054

Telephone

(03) 9349 3014

Website

https://www.smct.org.au/locations/melbourne-general-cemetery

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