All Souls Day

Once a year on the 2nd of November, the day after All Saint’s Day, the Catholic Church prays for the souls of people who have passed away during this last year who may not have reached a state of holiness in this life and therefore are not in heaven but are saved.

Remembrance is not only about showing our gratitude for our loved ones, but it is also about assisting them as continue their journey towards heaven.

No. SMCT will not be hosting a Mass at any sites this year.

This year we have created an interactive reflection space for our community to visit. You can leave a copy of a photograph of your loved on, messages and prayers, and take a moment to visit and pray.

We have three dedicated reflection spaces across three of our sites:

• Melbourne General Cemetery
• Springvale Botanical Cemetery
• Bunurong Memorial Park

You are welcome to attend any or all of these sites.

You can pick up photo frames from the All Souls collection stands located :

• Saint Padre Pio Mausoleum, Rocco Surace Mausoleum & Luciano Rossetti Mausoleum at Springvale Botanical Cemetery;
• Pietà Mausoleum at Bunurong Memorial Park; and
• Saint Mary of The Cross Mausoleum at Melbourne General Cemetery.

There will also be signage on site to help direct you to the location and a map to the cross.

You can place your prayer messages on the back of the photo frame.

The All Souls Day reflection spaces will be active from Saturday 29 October to Sunday 6 November. You are welcome to visit these any time during this period while our grounds are open.

When you arrive, please visit the collection point for your chosen cemetery location. (See 'Where can we pick up the photo frames?', above). You will be able to collect a photo frame for your image, write a message and get directions to the reflection space.

Once you have collected your photo frame, you can place your framed photo on the cross display at the reflection space for your location.

We regret that we will be unable to return photos after the display has concluded. Please make sure you bring a copy of your chosen photo and not the original.

You won’t be able to submit your photograph and personal messages for the All Souls Day display via our online form. However, you are very welcome to share your loved one's name and a message using our digital tribute candle.

Yes, you are welcome to honour more than one loved one if you wish to.

This is a free and open interactive reflection space for anyone who wishes to participate. You do not need to RSVP.

No. As restrictions have now eased, we are excited to welcome our community and the public back on-site.

We hope to share some images of the activation on this page during and after the activation has finished.

If you have any suggestions you’d like to make about our event you are welcome to either fill out a feedback form available on site, or email events@smct.org.au.

Yes. Café Vita et flores will be open during its normal operating hours at Bunurong Memorial Park, and Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Please visit our café page for more information and up-to-date opening hours.

No. Café Vita et flores is open for walk-in service, please feel free to visit during our open hours. If you are bringing a large group for seated service, we recommend calling in advance to secure a table.

Booking a function is subject to venue availability, if you wish to enquire further about this we recommend you visit our website https://smct.org.au/visit/function-centre

or contact our functions team at (03) 8558 8278 for Springvale Botanical Cemetery or (03) 9788 948 for Bunurong Memorial Park.

Yes. You can have flowers delivered to your chosen grave site over the All Souls Activation.

If you wish to order flowers to be delivered to your chosen grave site on All Souls Day, please place your order by close of business on Friday 28^th October.

You can order flowers online through our website: https://smct.org.au/visit/florists or you can call us at (03) 8523 1690 for Springvale or (03) 8523 1611 for Bunurong.

Yes. Our beautiful gardens and memorial parks are open to the public. Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne General Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park will be open over the period.

We anticipate that All Souls Day on Wednesday 2^nd November will be busy. Please allow additional time to navigate traffic and parking on-site. As always, we remind our community to keep COVID-19 safe practices in mind when visiting.