Community Care & Wellbeing

To hear their name is to hold them close.

There is a profound power in speaking the names of the babies and children we carry in our hearts. It is a simple act, but one that ensures they are recognized, honoured, and remembered.

We are privileged to once again support our friends at Red Nose Australia for the third annual Melbourne Say Their Name Day Remembrance Service.

This year, we invite families to bring a photo or a special memento of their baby or child to place on our remembrance table.

Our Community Care & Wellbeing team has been working closely with Red Nose to ensure this service provides a warm, gentle space for connection and reflection.
We look forward to gathering with you to speak their names and hold space for one another.

Event Details:
Saturday 28th of March 2026
10:30am - 12:30pm
Stratus reflection space
Bunurong Memorial Park

Grief rarely walks alone. Often, guilt walks beside it.

For those who have lost a baby, child, or grandchild, the weight of "what if" can be heavy. Guilt for what we wish we’d done differently, for surviving, or even for moments of joy.

This month, you are invited to a special Mindful Circle at the Centre for Care & Wellbeing, focusing on softening and releasing that guilt.
In a beautiful collaboration between SMCT and Red Nose Australia, we have created a safe space where your grief can be acknowledged gently and held with compassion.

Facilitated by Fotini, an experienced mindfulness practitioner, this session will guide you through:

• A meditation infused with healing sounds
• Space to meet yourself with compassion
• A time to simply rest and be

Event Details:

When: Friday, 27 February 2026, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where: The Centre for Care & Wellbeing, Springvale Botanical Cemetery (600 Princes Hwy, Springvale)

Who: Open to all - parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends supporting a loved one.

What to bring: A water bottle and a light blanket for comfort. (Mats, pillows, and eye masks are provided).

After the session, we invite you to stay for a coffee and gentle connection at Cafe Vita et flores.

Come as you are, and leave feeling a little lighter.
Spaces are limited.

Secure your spot here: https://www.smct.org.au/events/mindful-circle

We are filled with gratitude after hosting our 'Grieving Together' retreat at Bunurong Memorial Park . To everyone who attended, thank you for your courage and for taking the time to hold space for yourself and for others. We hope you left feeling reassured that in your grief, you are not alone.

A day of such compassion is only possible with the support of an incredible community. Our deepest thanks to our partners who shared their expertise and heart with us all:

To Jillian West, Bianca Otto, Shelley Andreetta (Griefline), Sue Cameron, and Dr Hellen Kemp (Grief Australia) for their insightful workshops.

To Leah Munnery and Angela from The Unconditional Love Foundation for introducing us to the gentle comfort of therapy dogs Pippin, Scout, Scottie, and Morgan.

To the wonderful volunteers from Grief Australia, Palliative Care South East Ltd and and Miscarriage Information Support Service Inc., who offered a warm, listening ear to all who needed it.

It was an honour to provide a space for care, connection, and remembrance.

Grief Retreat - Grieving Together
For those navigating the journey of grief, finding a space to connect and heal can make all the difference. We are holding a one-day Grief Retreat at Bunurong Memorial Park for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
"Grieving Together" is a supportive, full-day event featuring facilitated sessions, wellbeing activities, and the gentle company of others with shared experiences. It's a day dedicated to helping you understand your grief and learn ways to take care of yourself.
Date: Saturday, 11 October 2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
The cost of $60 includes all sessions, resources, and full catering for the day.

Bookings are essential and numbers are limited. Please register now at https://www.smct.org.au/events/grief-retreat-bunurong

Our popular Navigating Grief support sessions next convene at Bunurong Memorial Park on Wednesday 7 May.

These free sessions provide opportunities for people, no matter where they are in their grief journey, to find support, understanding and connection. They aim to demystify grief and the expectations people hold of themselves during mourning, and provide discussion on the many ways we can look after ourselves during times of sorrow.

A specialist grief practitioner from Grief Australia will be leading the group.

Book your spot here: https://www.smct.org.au/events/navigating-grief-bunurong

Today is National Miscarriage Awareness Day.

One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, yet this grief is often experienced in silence. This is a day to honour the people, couples and families who carry this loss — and remind them they are not alone.

This morning, we gathered at Bunurong Memorial Park for the annual Remembrance Service hosted by Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS) and opened the Butterfly Garden; a memorial space built in collaboration with community to support people affected by miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.

For many, the Butterfly Garden will be a place to sit quietly, remember, and know they are not alone. It stands as a tribute to every life and every story — created with and for the community.

🔗 Learn more about the Butterfly Garden here: https://www.smct.org.au/areas/butterfly-garden

🌼 Graveside flower delivery now available at more locations 🌼

We are excited to announce that our graveside flower delivery service is now available at all SMCT metropolitan cemeteries. This service allows you to honour and remember your loved ones with beautiful floral arrangements, delivered directly to their resting place.

Whether it's for Mother's Day, a special occasion or just to show you care, our team is here to help you express your sentiments with grace and beauty.

For Mother's Day graveside delivery, please place your order by Wednesday, May 7th.

📞 Call or place your order online today
https://www.smct.org.au/flowers

We're partnering with Red Nose to host their Melbourne Say Their Name Day memorial event.
The Say Their Name Remembrance Service brings people together to honour the memory of treasured babies and children—those we love and have lost—creating a space for reflection, healing, and connection.
Event details
Date: Sunday 23 March
Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm
Location: The Stratus Reflection Space at Bunurong Memorial Park, 790 Frankston Dandenong Rd, Dandenong South, Victoria 3175
Register for the event here: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/bc9m5/melbourne_say_their_name_day_remembrance_service.aspx

The Community Care and Wellbeing program provides tools and resources that empower people through grieving and create a safe space to connect our community to a broader support network through our carefully chosen partnerships. The program also includes various wellbeing and general-interest activity sessions designed to normalise conversations about death and dying.

To keep up to date with the workshops, resources and community activities offered by the program, sign up to our newsletter to receive monthly updates! https://smct.org.au/community/community-care-and-wellbeing/contact-ccw

Our Community Care and Wellbeing program's popular monthly Navigating Grief sessions are returning for 2025!

Led by a specialist grief practitioner from Grief Australia, these free sessions invite gentle conversations and are aimed to equip you with a better understanding on how to cope with grief, and how to manage common bereavement experiences such as feelings of overwhelm, confusion and sadness.

Join us for our first session for the year at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on Wednesday 5 February: https://smct.org.au/events/navigating-grief-springvale-botanical-cemetery

Grief can feel isolating, but connection brings healing. Last October, we collaborated with The Compassionate Friends Victoria (TCFV) to host the first-ever Grieving Together: Grief Retreat at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. Over 80 participants shared stories, attended workshops and connected with others who understood their journey.

From art therapy and yoga to exploring sibling grief and the grief of su***de, the retreat offered a safe space for healing and practical tools to navigate loss.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners, attendees, and dedicated team members who made this event possible. Together, we showed the power of community and connection in supporting one another through grief.

Read the full blog to learn more about this meaningful event: https://smct.org.au/blog/creating-community-and-connection-grieving-together-grief-retreat