Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park

Fawkner Memorial Park is located in the north-western Melbourne suburb of Hadfield, Victoria close to Fawkner, Victoria, Australia. It is the largest cemetery by land size in the state.Merlynston Creek, a tributary of Merri Creek, is a major geographical feature running through both Fawkner Cemetery and the Northern Memorial Park.HistoryIn 1906, the Municipal Cemetery, Fawkner opened to meet the needs of the north west. The cemetery was designed and run by Charles Heath, a surveyor and architect. The first burial took place on 10 December 1906. This was considered to be the unofficial opening of the cemetery. The funeral was conducted by John Allison from Sydney Road. The cemetery was adjacent to Fawkner railway station on the Upfield line, with special trains carrying the deceased to the cemetery from 1906 to 1939.ManagementThey operate over multiple cemetery sites. The fourth site, Plenty Valley Memorial Park is yet to be established:• Coburg Pine Ridge - Est 1856 - 10 hectares (25 acres)• Fawkner Crematorium & Memorial Park - Est 1906 - 113 hectares (282 acres)• Northern Memorial Park - Est 1986 - 94 hectares (235 acres)• Plenty Valley Memorial Park - Yet to be established - 83 hectares (208 acres)Together, the four memorial parks total an area of 300 hectares or 750acre of land.