Roman Catholic Church

In March 1867, permission was granted to the Roman Catholic Church to erect a mortuary chapel within the cemetery grounds. Designed by William Wardell, the chapel includes special underground burial vaults for priests. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Goold in April 1867. Construction commenced in 1870 and the chapel was consecrated in 1871.

A beautiful, traditional bluestone chapel, it is still used as the final resting place for Melbourne’s catholic clergy.

Gatehouse Residence

The Gatehouse building was designed in 1933 to serve a dual purpose. The front ground floor was used for administration purposes and Trust Meetings, while the rear ground floor and top floor served as a residence for the cemetery caretaker.

The building was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register on the 17th June 1999 and still operates as the on site office for Melbourne General Cemetery.

Gatehouse Boardroom

Original Gatehouse Safe

Gatehouse Clock Tower

When the current Gatehouse building was constructed in 1933 it incorporated a striking clock tower. The prominent clock face cost £129. A further £40 was spent on a clock tower bell. The clock was converted to electricity in the 1960’s and is still in operation today.

Gatehouse Clock Tower

Chinese Funerary Oven

In 1872 the Chinese community was granted permission to erect a Chinese funerary oven. The need for such an oven came about as it was customary for fireworks to be set off over graves during a funeral service. This practice caused great concern as considerable damage was being sustained to the surrounding areas. The funerary oven remains in place today within the Chinese section of the cemetery, however is rarely used.

Jewish Metahar Chapel

The Jewish Metahar Chapel was the first denominational building constructed on the site and was completed in 1854. Major Purchas revealed that when he was in the process of designing the cemetery layout the Trust instructed him to incorporate a special ‘Jew’s Gate’ at the south east corner of the cemetery reserve. Entrance to the cemetery via this gate was for Jewish funerals only.

Melbourne General Cemetery is also home to a substantial memorial to the victims of the European Holocaust.

Jewish Memorial to Holocaust Victims

Cemetery Fencing

In 1871 the Trust committed significant resources to erect 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) of iron fencing on a dwarf bluestone wall. Designed by Morgan Jageurs, the fence cost £11,173 and took almost six years to complete. A testament to the construction of the fence is the fact that it still surrounds the cemetery site today.

Elvis Presley Memorial

One of the original ‘grottos’, or rockeries, was converted into an Elvis Presley memorial by the Elvis Presley Fan Club upon his death. The memorial was unveiled in November 1977 during a ceremony attended by over 400 people.