Christmas Remembrance
All Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust grounds are open every day of the year, including all public holidays.
For café and florist opening hours over the holiday period, please view our service updates.
Children's Remembrance Service
We are honoured to host the return of our Children's Remembrance Service on Sunday 3 December, 2023. We warmly invite families to to come together, reflect and remember the children who are no longer with us.
Remembrance Candle
The holiday season can be a very challenging time if you have experienced the loss of someone close to you.
We invite you to pay tribute to a loved one via our digital Remembrance Candle. Your loved one’s name, along with a remembrance message, will be displayed next to our virtual candle on this page for the month.
To do so, type your loved one's name and a message into the text boxes provided, and click 'submit'.
Christmas at SMCT
Families are always welcome at our locations, and the holiday season is no exception. For many of us, visiting loved ones resting at cemeteries and memorial parks is very important during this time.
If you are attending one of our locations during the holiday period, you may notice some changes in the way we assist you.
These changes will be made to ensure you have the best and safest possible experience when you visit. They may include altered opening hours, traffic management or updates to our café services.
Updates to our services
Please refer to the pages linked below to find the most up-to-date visiting information. This information may be updated in the coming weeks to reflect any temporary changes to our services as they arise. If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact us.
Café Vita et Flores - Springvale Botanical Cemetery | View opening hours |
| Café Vita et Flores - Bunurong Memorial Park | View opening hours |
| Site opening hours | |
| Visitor safety during the summer holiday period | View our Visitor Safety page |
Grief is so human, and it hits everyone at one point or another ... If you love, you will grieve, and that’s just given.
Grieving during Christmas
Grief during the holiday season can be very challenging. This can be a particularly sensitive time if you have lost a loved one. It may be the first Christmas you have faced after a bereavement. There’s no ‘right way’ to deal with grief, and each person journeys through this season in their own unique way.
If you need someone to talk to, or just a comforting place to sit and reflect during this time of year, we encourage you to explore our Community Care & Wellbeing program (CCW).
The CCW aims to provide a safe haven of support, guidance, friendship and understanding. All who access our services receive care and comfort in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, with the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances.
