Cemetery in review

Keilor Cemetery

Keilor Cemetery was established in 1856 with its first burial occurring in the same year and the second some three years later. The cemetery has increased its business over the years and now conducts approximately 400 burials annually and sells around 200 pre-need rights of burial. Keilor is the only viable cemetery in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs.

Ownership Cemeteries in Victoria are classified as ‘public’, are located on crown land and report to the Victorian Minister for Health, through the Department of Human Services. The Cemeteries Act 1958 prohibits the ownership of cemeteries – this differs to some other states where private ownership is permitted. Keilor Cemetery was originally located on approximately 6 hectares and naturally the initial site has now been fully used. The Keilor Cemetery Trust was fortunate enough however, to purchase additional land several years ago. This new land is currently being utilised and developed, and the Trust is also purchasing more land on a terms contract. The Trust is a non-profit organisation with no funding at all from local Council or State and Federal Governments.

Facilities Several years ago the cemetery did not even have an administration office – all official business was conducted from portable offices at the local Council Chambers approximately 2 km away. Today, Keilor Cemetery is located about 20 minutes from the centre of Melbourne at the southern end of Tullamarine Airport. Recent improvements at the cemetery include the construction of an administration office, provision of outdoor staff facilities, development of roads and drainage, the installation of sprinkler systems and, most recently, the construction of the first two (of four) stages of a modern mausoleum complex. The Trust provides burial options including plaque and headstone lawn graves, pre-constructed concrete foundation graves and concrete lined graves. Memorials for cremated remains are available for perpetuity and include rose, rock and shrub gardens together with individual family gardens. Keilor Cemetery anticipates launching its own website in 2003. Once functional, visitors will be able to use the GIS computer mapping system to assist them in locating gravesites.

Mausolea The State Government in Victoria changed the law in the mid-1990’s to allow the construction of mausolea including private ones. With the construction of Victoria’s first public mausoleum at Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park, it became clear that the Italian Catholic community favoured such facilities. The findings from a visitor survey at Keilor in 1997 indicated support for a mausoleum. In response to this interest, and the fact that a reasonably large portion of land was available, Keilor Cemetery commissioned a feasibility study examining the erection of its own mausoleum. One of the major findings of this study was that “in terms of total numbers of persons born in Italy, there are approximately 8,000 living within 5 kilometres of the cemetery and 15,000 within 7 kilometres.” Thus, the Trust agreed to proceed with the establishment of the first stage of the mausoleum complex, a facility that would eventually provide approximately 3,500 casket spaces.

The first stage of the impressive complex (completed mid-2000) features crypts in an indoor chapel-like space, courtyard and colonnade areas. This first stage comprises 360 casket spaces on six levels. The indoor area features ‘Perlato’ and ‘Dark Emperador’ marble. The second stage comprises 792 casket spaces on six levels and includes a large central courtyard with reflection ponds and impressive architectural features. The second stage features ‘Grigio Carnico’ marble and was completed late 2002. The final stages will include a large chapel and crypts on two separate storeys surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. All stages of the mausoleum have been, and will be, constructed of durable, poured-in-place reinforced concrete that forms a secure structural system. The Trust offers crypts in a variety of styles ranging from single crypts to pairs (side by side), true companions (end to end) and couch crypts (sideways). All memorialisation, vigil lamps, flower vases and photographs are included in the cost of the crypts. The Mausoleum complex offers all weather access, unlimited tenure, 24-hour security and is totally maintenance free.

Special Features Approximately 60-65% of interments at Keilor Cemetery are Italian Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Macedonian Orthodox. Many families from these groups gather at the cemetery in large numbers to celebrate the life of the deceased. This celebrating may take the form of a feast with fully laden picnic baskets. Keilor Cemetery provides various shelters and rotundas to shield these visitors from the elements, and the provision of additional protection is on the drawing board to better meet their needs. When the current manager Mr Godfrey took control at Keilor Cemetery, the grounds were rather sparse. Under his supervision a softer, greener site has evolved; the lawn grave sections have been expanded considerably, attractive gardens have been developed for ashes remains, and the horseshoe shaped main road has been heavily planted with deciduous Manchurian pears, with juniper beneath them to provide thick green cover. Progressively, all garden beds throughout the cemetery are being edged with durable blue stone to promote an historic ambience within the grounds.

Functions All Souls Day, the first Saturday in November, is celebrated here annually beneath a large marquee. Last year there were 11 priests conducting this service in no fewer than eight languages; English, Italian, Slovenian, Croatian, Maltese, Polish, Vietnamese and Filipino. Now that is catering to the local community! Are there other cemeteries out there to match this effort? I’ll enquire and let you know in the next issue.

For his assistance in compiling this article special thanks go to Mr Mark Godfrey who joined the Department of Human Services (which oversees cemeteries and crematoria in Victoria) in 1989, and has been the Manager at Keilor Cemetery since 1995. His contributions to the cemetery industry include a presentation at the national conference in 2000 of the Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association in Christchurch, New Zealand, and talks with a number of Rotary clubs.