Geelong Cemeteries Trust reveals death trends, and the price hikes that come with them
A Geelong Cemeteries Trust staff member jetsetted off to Europe to attend a conference and check out gravesites across the continent.
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A Geelong Cemeteries Trust (GCT) staff member jetsetted off to Europe to check out gravesites across the continent for a “study tour” that cost more than $18,400.
The tour, revealed in the trust’s annual report, visited seven European crematoria sites across various countries and coincided with the European Cremation Network (ECN) Conference held in Zwolle, Netherlands.
The GCT is a not for profit and receives state government funding, but would not say if taxpayer money was used to fund the tour.
A GCT spokeswoman said the trust’s director of projects, development and innovation Frank de Groot represented the trust at the Orthometals and Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association European crematoria study tour.
A GCT spokeswoman said the tour offered a unique opportunity for global collaboration and learning and reinforced the trust’s commitment to sustainability, valuable networking, benchmarking, and helping increase their understanding of international trends and innovations.
“The tour provided an intensive learning experience that allowed participants to observe a wide range of approaches to cremation services, environmental management, community engagement, and facility design,” she said.
The spokeswoman said a total expenditure of $18,454.20 covered airfares, accommodation, transportation, and study-related costs.
“Participants explored innovations such as hybrid and hydrogen-based cremation systems, advanced filtration technologies, and energy-efficient facility designs aimed at reducing emissions,” she said.
The trust cares for and maintains cemeteries at 22 locations across several regions in Victoria, including Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Geelong Memorial Park and Crematorium, Colac Cemetery and sites in Drysdale, Leopold, Geelong West and Queenscliff.
The trust also controls more remote sites including Gisborne, Lorne and Whoorel cemeteries and more.
Burial costs increased from $884.41 in 2022/23 to $979.92 per person last financial year.
A GCT spokeswoman said this was due to the increased demand at unstaffed and remote locations including Flinders Memorial Park, Drysdale Cemetery and Leopold Cemetery, but a decrease at locations such as Highton Cemetery and Geelong Eastern Cemetery.
“In 2022/23, 65 per cent (633) of burial services took place at staffed locations, but in 2023/24, this decreased to 54 per cent (516 services), reflecting the limited remaining capacity at some locations,” the spokeswoman said.
“This shift to unstaffed or remote locations has led to higher costs per burial due to additional logistical expenses, such as travel time, equipment transport and mobilising staff to meet service demands.
“Staffing needs are regularly evaluated to ensure sufficient support is in place to meet community demands effectively.”
Price hikes in cremations were attributed to a decrease in demand.
“When the number of cremations decreases, these fixed costs are distributed across a smaller number of services, effectively increasing the cost per cremation,” the spokeswoman said.
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