Plan a funeral
Planning Ahead
Talking about your end-of-life wishes with family and friends is an act of compassion and carries immense significance. It helps your family and friends know what is important to you so they can confidently make arrangements and honour your wishes with care and respect.
These conversations are not just about your wishes - they're about deepening your relationships. They allow your family and friends to understand you better and support you in the best way possible. When the tough moments arrive, having already talked about these things can make them less scary and confusing for everyone.
Below are a collection of resources that can assist you in planning your end-of-life wishes.
Costs and how to compare prices
Costs will depend upon the memorial location within the cemetery and the type of memorial option chosen.
Find a funeral director
Find a list of current funeral directors throughout Victoria that can support you, with a filtered option for SMCT registered funeral directors.
Grief support
We offer activities, events, tools, and resources, creating a safe space for people to connect and normalise conversations about grief and death.
Deciding between burial and cremation
One of the biggest decisions you may make in your planning is deciding between burial or cremation. Fortunately, both can offer an array of options to suit a variety of personal and cultural preferences. We understand that this is a very personal decision, but we are here to support you with any information that may assist you.
Planning ahead for complete peace of mind
Planning ahead will give you peace of mind, knowing that requests will be honoured, you'll be protected against future price increases and family members will be saved from making difficult decisions on your behalf.
Community Planning Service
Our Community Planning Service helps community groups plan ahead together. Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust partners with community leaders to identify each group’s unique needs, and plan how members may rest together in the future.
Need support with planning?
If you need support with choosing memorialisation options, flower arrangements, or function rooms, we’re here to help.
