The state government is supporting upgrades to public cemeteries across Victoria, with more than $700,000 in grants delivered to cemetery trusts to upgrade and maintain these important facilities.
Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh last week announced the Stratford Cemetery Trust has received a $2299 grant under the 2023-24 Cemetery Grants Program to modernise facilities moving into the future.
“Stratford Cemetery plays an important role in our local community, and this grant will provide it with an opportunity to get much-needed upgrades,” he said.
Stratford Cemetery is among 48 cemetery trusts across the state sharing in this grants round. The grants support cemeteries with upgrades and costs relating to infrastructure, facilities, maintenance, equipment and training.
Victoria’s cemeteries are important community spaces, where people can reflect on the past and remember those no longer with them.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the grants program provides financial support to help cemeteries (many of which are volunteer-run) continue to operate as peaceful and welcoming places of remembrance for the whole community.
“Providing Victorians with peaceful places to visit and honour loved ones who have died makes these grants all the more important,” she said.
The latest funding round will help support the long-term future of Stratford Cemetery and ensure the cemetery has the modern facilities the community deserve.
Grant rounds are awarded twice each year, with applications for the current round closing on March 31.
A selection panel assesses each application against the assessment criteria. Notification of the outcome of applications will be provided to the applicable trusts following completion of the assessment process.
For more information and to apply, visit health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/cemetery-grants-program
