Public Cemetery Information

Mansfield Shire Council is the legal trustee

for Bonnie Doon Jamieson, Mansfield &

Merton cemeteries.

The Councillor’s of the day are the Trust

Members. The cemeteries are legally open

for burials and the pre-purchase of plots.

Entry into the Mansfield Cemetery is conditional upon acceptance of the

following regulations, terms & conditions:

• Speed limit 5 K.P.H.

• Driving or parking on grassed areas is prohibited

• Planting and/or removal of flora is prohibited

• No glass permitted.

• Mansfield Shire Council reserves the right to remove flowers and/or ornaments.

• No animals or pets are to brought into the cemetery

• A permit is required from Mansfield Shire Council for the maintenance and/or refurbishment of monuments

• Monuments or headstones may be unstable. Visitors must not walk on or cross monu-ments or lean on any monumental structure.

• Whilst all care is taken to remove trip haz-ards, some surfaces may be uneven. Take care when walking on grassed areas and remain on pathways wherever possible.

• Climbing on structures is prohibited.

• Caution. Heavy machinery operates within the cemetery.

• Individual grave maintenance in the Monumental Section of the cemetery is the responsibility of the family of the deceased and must not be undertaken without a permit from Council.

• A full copy of the Conditions of Use is available from the Mansfield Shire Council office.

Historical Snippets

The first meeting of the Mansfield

Cemetery Trust took place in 1870.

In 1873 a weatherboard hut was built and gates

erected. The archway was added in 1914 and the

toilet block was built in 1990.

The Lawn Section was established in 1964. the

first burial was of William J. Redfern who was a

Shire Councillor and actively promoted the

preparation of the lawn section.

Some trees in the cemetery were donated by

Baron Von Mueller from the

Melbourne Botanical Gardens in 1870.

A Golden Privet cutting sent from the home town

in Ireland of Sergeant Kennedy was planted on his

grave by a family member.

One of Mansfield’s first undertakers was Mr Kitto

from Hunter Street. He later sold the business to

Mr R. McLeish and then to Mr J. Thompson. The

first hearse to replace the wagonette was supplied

by Mr Thompson and was used for the first time

for the funeral of Mrs Ewen Tolmie.

For further information :

Mansfield Shire Council

Private Bag 1000

33 Highett Street,

Mansfield Victoria 3724

Phone 03 5775 8555

Fax 03 5775 2677

council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Mansfield Shire Council accepts no

responsibility for the loss or damage to any

vehicle, structure, monument or any injury

to any person no matter how such injury,

loss or damage may arise or be caused.

CEMETERY RECORDS Cemetery records and maps are held at the offices of Mansfield Shire Council and are available to view Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm. It is preferable to make an appointment to ensure an Officer is available to assist.

Requests for information can also be made via email to council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

A fire destroyed some early burial records and consequently information and records held are sometimes inaccurate. There are also many unmarked and unknown graves which remain unidentified.

MONUMENTAL SECTION The Monumental Section is defined as the “old” section of the cemeteries. Plots may be pre purchased “pre need” in these areas as requested by the applicant or selected by the Trust. Individual grave maintenance in the Monumental Section is the responsibility of the family of the deceased. Monuments, head-stones, memorials, plaques etc in this section are the responsibility of the family to arrange and maintain. A permit is required from Council for any works to be carried out. PRE PURCHASE OF LAND To arrange to purchase a burial plot or niche wall compartment, contact Mansfield Shire Council. PLAQUES Mansfield Shire Council in consultation with the Funeral Director will order bronze plaques for the Lawn Section of the cemeteries. The Trust will arrange to have the plaque mounted.

NICHE WALL Niche Walls are provided at Bonnie Doon and Mansfield cemetery.

All cremated remains for interment in the Niche Wall at the Mansfield Cemetery or Bonnie Doon Cemetery must be in a container measuring no greater than 15cm x 25cm. The Funeral Director or Family will be responsible for ensuring ashes are provided to the Trust in the correct size container. Compartments in the niche wall are available for pre-purchase.

LAWN SECTION Lawn sections are provided at Mansfield, Bonnie Doon and Jamieson cemeteries. Merton does not have a lawn area. Plots in these sections are not available for pre-purchase. These plots are allocated in number order “at need”. Standard plaques are included in the cost of these plots. Grave maintenance is the responsibility of The Trust.