On Saturday 1 February, management of the Wonthaggi and San Remo cemeteries transferred from Bass Coast Shire Council to the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT).

The voluntary transfer means that responsibility for San Remo and Wonthaggi cemeteries now sits with SMCT. We will apply our expert knowledge in cemetery and horticultural management to support local community and families.

The change means you and your family will have access to a broader range of services and programs, customer service and compassionate understanding of cemetery management.

From 1 February 2025, you can contact SMCT for any enquiries regarding the cemeteries and your loved one’s memorial. Please contact 1300 466 904 or email enquiries@smct.org.au.

Very few, as we work to provide a seamless continuity of service.

SMCT signage and our operating methods – including access to our people, programs and expertise – will be the most obvious changes.

The contact for all enquiries changes to 1300 466 904 or enquiries@smct.org.au.

SMCT will support burial services on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A member of our expert team will be on hand in person to support funeral directors and ensure the safe and respectful interment of your loved one.

Your family memorial will stay at San Remo or Wonthaggi cemetery in its current resting place. SMCT will now look after the grounds and services provided at the cemetery, and families remain responsible for looking after their family memorial.

Any pre-existing memorial purchases or service agreements will be honoured, and we thank you for trusting us with your legacy and your loved ones. We hope to connect with all those directly impacted to confirm contact details and agreements and provide support as appropriate.

All records will be passed to SMCT in accordance with relevant privacy laws, legislation and provisions in the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act. Please review our privacy collection notice and privacy policy here.

On reviewing its operations, Bass Coast Shire Council determined the community would benefit from the voluntary transfer of the cemeteries to a specialist organisation such as Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). After community consultation and Council endorsement, the Council requested that the Minister for Health consider a voluntary transfer of management responsibilities to SMCT as experts in cemetery management. This request was approved in December 2024, with the transfer to take place as of 1 February 2025.

Members of our operations and customer experience teams have visited the sites on multiple occasions since the voluntary transfer was flagged, and we are open to continued engagement with community, Council and other stakeholders as part of our learning about the sites and their place in the local community.

We are open to continued engagement with the community and other stakeholders to understand their needs. As with any cemetery Trust, we operate under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act and have obligations to safeguard the future of sites which may preclude us from undertaking some initiatives that community may wish to see.

Current fees and purchases will be honoured. SMCT is open to continued engagement with community. No decision will be made on pricing or other elements of management until SMCT has a stronger understanding of community and site needs.