Exploring Design and Death: Time Immemorial event at Bunurong Memorial Park
On 1 June 2024, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust partnered with Open House Melbourne to host a series of panel discussions, tours and workshops on design and death at Bunurong Memorial Park. As part of the 2024 Melbourne Design Week, the Design + Death: Time Immemorial was a full-day event to inspire new audiences about a little-known environment – cemeteries.
At SMCT, we understand how thoughtful design can profoundly shape our experiences and perceptions of celebrating and honouring life.
Starting with a deep connection to Country
The day began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown and Danny West, which connected attendees to Bunurong land and the cultural significance of Indigenous plants. Uncle Mark spoke of the deep understanding that is passed from generation to generation and the significance of sharing stories and histories.
Fostering and deepening relationships and understanding with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities is vital to creating inclusive environments and is supported by work through SMCT’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
A day of discussions, tours and workshops
To kickstart the conversation, Open House Melbourne Executive Director and Chief Curator Tania Davidge welcomed everyone to the event. MUIR Architecture Director Amy Muir opened with a presentation on how we understand memorialisation in different contexts and societal changes over time in the way we memorialise death.
Artist and Death Literacy Advocate Hayley West and Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS) Founder and President Melissa King shared information about their work and how to design inclusive memorialisation spaces to support grief and community needs.
Our Chief Customer Officer Damian Ramondetta also answered questions about balancing the community's needs and the operational requirements of managing a cemetery.
The day continued with a discussion of Aspirations + Design. ASPECT Studios Global Design Director Kirsten Bauer and our Head of Property, Infrastructure & Facilities Nicholas Beck hosted the panel. The discussions explored the aspirations and innovative designs shaping the future of memorialisation.
The afternoon was filled with break-out sessions tailored to specific interests within the themes of memorial landscapes, cultural practices, sustainability, and symbolism behind floral arrangements. These sessions included:
Memorial Landscapes
ASPECT Studios Senior Associate Erwin Taal ran the Aspect Studio Tour, which highlighted the thoughtful design elements of memorial landscapes such as the Fu Shou Yuan Garden, Rawda Ar-Rahman, and Four Winds Scatter Garden.
The talk with Kirsten and Nicholas preceded the walking tour, which gave attendees more context as they walked through the grounds. Both speakers were present during the tour, which highlighted the diverse end-of-life memorials and how this might change in the future.
Call of the Dreaming
Jillian West and Alexandra Prouse conducted a workshop dedicated to understanding the intersection of design and Indigenous cultural practices.
This was such an amazing session where attendees were able to learn about end of life experiences from the perspective of our First Nations people. We also had an opportunity to express how we understood the information and talk through how we were feeling at the moment. It was a very moving and profound experience and one I will never forget.
Grave Matters
Discussions facilitated by our Environmental Strategy Manager Nina Thomas about sustainability in cemeteries, which explored environmental practices and innovations in cemetery design.
Nina delivered a presentation about our Environmental Strategy and natural burials at Bunurong Memorial Park. There was a discussion at the end with many questions from the audience.
The Language of Flowers
Our florist Team Leader Gina Kelly ran a workshop on the symbolism and design of floral arrangements in memorial contexts. Attendees created their own floral arrangements to take home.
This was a fun and engaging session where attendees were able to learn about creating floral arrangements and how to best care for them. Attendees left with a lot of pride in their work and a beautiful memento to take home with them.
The future of celebrating and honouring life through design
The event concluded with afternoon drinks and refreshments, providing a final opportunity to network and reflect on the day's insights.
We thank all those who participated and contributed on the day, especially our speakers and presenters for sharing their expertise with us. Special thanks to our VIP guests for attending, including Open House Melbourne Director Tania Davidge.
Through the lens of design, we are committed to honouring the past, considering the present, and envisioning the future of memorialisation.
Together, we continue to reimagine the intersection of design and death, contributing to a more thoughtful and respectful understanding of how our diverse communities choose to celebrate and honour their loved ones.
