Springvale Botanical Cemetery Tour

I have always had a bit of a fascination with cemeteries.  Not sure why, just find them interesting places.  Emi just thinks I'm weird.  Anyway, on Tuesday morning (4 December 2018) I went along on a free tour of Springvale Botanical Cemetery, as you do.  Small group, large bus and I was the youngest on board (I think). Doesn't happen often these days, so deserves a special mention. Off we went with our lovely and knowledgeable guide, historian Dr Celestina Sagazio.

It's said to be the most beautiful cemetery in Australia, and I can see why.  It really is stunning with over 30,000 rose bushes and more than 290 varieties. So if you want your ashes placed under a dusky pink rose with white edges, chances are you're in luck.  As well as roses, there are many other well maintained plants and over 80,000 trees including an old Red River Gum that's said to over 400 years old.

The cemetery, originally know as The Necropolis Springvale, was established in 1901. It covers an area of 422 acres (used to be bigger) and is Victoria's largest memorial park. The first burial was that of 7 month old baby Clarence Reardon, who died of whooping cough on 20 March 1902.  Sad.

Song He Yuan temple

Reflecting our multi-cultural background, there are resting areas for everyone.  The Song He Yuan Buddhist section has a temple built by Chinese Master Craftsmen and several pagodas. Extension is underway - time stops for no one.

There are sections covering many different religions and denominations and a viewing room in the crematorium to allow for Hindu's beliefs. The Jewish Metahar House (meaning 'cleansing or purifying') was built in 1940 and was the first denominational chapel. Interestingly, they place stones instead of flowers.


The children's lawn area is particularly touching, including an area called Bonny Babes for Stillborn babies.  There is a playground there and vibrant balloon sculptures to help create a welcoming place for young children, whilst family members take time to remember little angels.

Little angels resting in peace

Another section contains the Police Memorial listing the names of all who have died in the line of duty and there is an Australian War graves area. War graves all look the same because of the notion that in death, all are equal.



Grave sites come in all shapes and sizes. From the simple lawn burials to ornate tombstones (there is a model Ferrari on one and another with a stone helmet).  There are also 3 Mausoleums - the Rocco Surace, Luciano Rossetti and the new Saint Padre Pio.  Here bodies are embalmed and buried above ground.

Some other random facts I learnt:

1. The cemetery employs 50 gardeners
2. Burials in Melbourne are "forever"
3. Today, 70% are cremations and 30% burials
4. Following cremation, any metal is recycled and goes to the restoration trust
5. 2 large lakes host a number of birds and other wildlife and serve to reticulate the gardens
6. Ashes are not "scattered" but buried
7. One of the gardens is perfectly named the "Garden of No Distant Place"
8. Over at the new Bunurong Memorial park, natural burials are allowed where a shroud or cardboard box can be used.

Following our bus tour that lasted 90 minutes, we headed back to the Clarence Reardon centre that contains a cafe, florist, playground and many different function areas.  Lunch was provided whilst Julie, one of the customer care consultants spoke about the different burial options and how the cemetery operates.  The main message was to remind people to make a will and talk to family about your wishes. Death shouldn't be a taboo subject, after all, there is no escaping it.

So a tick off the list and now keen to do tours of some of our other cemeteries.  The night tour of Melbourne General Cemetery is supposed to be interesting. Weird? Not really.