Under the 2003 Cemeteries Act, a Right of Interment (e.g. grave or crypt) will be held in perpetuity (for all time) if it is ‘exercised’.  The Act states that a Right of Interment is exercised:

• when human remains are interred at the place of
  interment to which the Right of Interment applies, or

• when the holder of the Right of Interment creates a
  memorial at the place of interment.    

Many families purchase their preferred grave or crypt in advance i.e. before death occurs.  It makes good sense.  There is no limit on how long you can hold the vacant grave or crypt, provided you keep us informed of your correct address.

Tenure on Cremation Memorials

As a not for profit organisation serving the needs of the community, Melbourne General Cemetery is conscious of its community obligations.  In order to ensure that land is available for future generations, cremation memorials have been sold with varying tenure periods over the years.  The dates below outline the changes that have occurred.

Prior to 1980	All memorials were sold in perpetuity (for all time).
After 1980	25 year tenure periods commenced from the date of purchase for all cremation memorials.
From 5.6.1998	Perpetuity (for all time) available for all existing and new cremation memorials.

If you have any questions regarding the tenure of a memorial please feel free to contact us.

 

Melbourne General Cemetery recognises that perpetuity (forever) is a long time.  When we allow people to transfer a memorial to perpetuity, we recognise that at some stage in the future we may need to renovate, refurbish or rebuild areas.

As a consequence, even a memorial in perpetuity may need to be:

• temporarily removed whilst maintenance is carried out within the area

• temporarily removed to allow redevelopment/enhancement of the area.

Families can be secure in the knowledge that:

• memorials will be preserved forever

• if significant infrastructure development is necessary, their loved one will be positioned in an equivalent or
  better position.