Our organisation
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.
Our Vision and Values
A measure of a healthy society is how well we care for our most vulnerable. Since 2008, we have been helping people honour and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. We are tasked by the state government to manage and maintain 11 cemeteries, each with unique cultural and historical significance.
Our Vision
Be a sector leader in cemeteries and memorial parks and in supporting our diverse communities as they grieve, honour and celebrate life.
Our Purpose
We create and maintain cemeteries and memorial parks where people can honour and celebrate their loved ones.
Our Vision and Values
Our Values
At each of our cemeteries we pledge to our colleagues and community that we will act with these values:
Passion - commitment in heart and mind
Respect - by valuing every voice
Integrity - doing what is right
Dedication - to the needs of our community and our people
Empathy - to listen and reflect with sensitivity
Careers
Unexpected, unique, interesting, and rewarding. It's a career beyond expectations.
Trust members
The Trust is responsible to the Minister for Health and must ensure good governance of the cemeteries entrusted under its care. Members of the Trust are appointed by the Governor in Council for a three-year term. Members may seek reappointment.
Current Annual Report
Our current annual report provides a comprehensive overview of financial performance, strategic priorities, and key achievements throughout the year.
Governance and policies
The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is committed to upholding strong governance, policies and accountability across all areas of the organisation.
SMCT Master Plan
The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide direction for all cemeteries, and set priorities for the organisation.
Strategic Priorities
Our Strategic Plan guides how we’ll meet future needs -achieving sustainability by 2028 while continuing to deliver trusted services and expertise.
Publications
We believe that transparency helps us connect with our community. These publications have been prepared to help inform our customers and the broader Victorian community.
Environmental Strategy 2026 - 2030
As an organisation whose primary purpose is to care for our community, we also have a responsibility to care for our environment by taking ownership for our actions and impact on the planet. Through our Environmental Strategy, we aim to ensure the decisions we make today enable our organisation to provide resilient and sustainable services and facilities into the future.
Progressing Gender Equality at SMCT
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is firmly committed to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our employees and customers. We recognise improving gender equality is an integral part of this commitment under the Gender Equality Act 2020. The SMCT Gender Equality Action Plan (FY2022-2025) was launched in August 2022. The Gender Equality Progress Report highlights our strides towards gender equality, at the midway point of our Gender Equality Action Plan (FY2022-2025) and recognises areas for further attention and outlines our approach for ongoing initiatives.
How SMCT turned cemeteries into role models for environmental sustainability
- 4 June 2026
Over the past three years, we have worked towards a deliberate long-term shift to embed environmental sustainability as a core organisational priority. We aim for our contribution to be part of a stronger focus on sustainability across the sector.
Limited release of new grave sites at Cheltenham Memorial Park
- 29 May 2026
Discover a limited release of newly available grave sites at Cheltenham Memorial Park, offering families a rare opportunity to honour loved ones in a historic and peaceful Melbourne setting.
Project Cultivate celebrates St Kilda milestone
- 27 May 2026
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust marks a Project Cultivate milestone at St Kilda Cemetery, transitioning from months of mulching to the official start of planting.
Planned price updates from 1 July 2026
- 8 May 2026
From this date, SMCT’s prices and service fees will increase by 3.1%. We’re adjusting our prices in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Award-winning Project Cultivate levels up with City of Melbourne partnership
- 11 February 2025
The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is excited to announce our partnership with the City of Melbourne to deliver the final phase of Project Cultivate. The funding will help complete our successful initiative to enhance and restore a more biodiverse, natural and sustainable environment at Melbourne General Cemetery (MGC).
- Project
Groundbreaking cemetery grasslands finalist in national Banksia Awards
- 10 April 2025
Project Cultivate was a Banksia Sustainability Awards finalist. Read why this groundbreaking project shows SMCT's dedication and passion for conservation.
- Project