More people than ever before are coming through the gates of Bendigo’s cemeteries, but they’re not there to stay.
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Remembrance Parks Central Victoria chief executive Dean McElroy said cemetery visitor numbers have increased over recent years.
The increase has followed a deliberate push from RPCV to broaden the demographic of people visiting central Victoria’s burial places.
Behind the push is the idea that cemeteries are a community facility, with a range of uses broader than just burial, mourning and remembrance.
History, quiet reflection and learning all have a place in the remembrance parks.
“It’s not all doom and gloom,” Mr McElroy said.
“There's some considerable learnings, and you can have some fun when you come to a cemetery.
“Cemeteries are community facilities and it’s about re-engaging with them.”
As part of the effort to re-engage RPCV has revamped its range of tours and events.
Over 80 people came to the 2018 Ghosts of Bendigo Past Halloween tour, while at least 60 people came to RPCV’s Christmas service, Mr McElroy said.
This was a significant increase on previous years’ events which have not been well-attended.
It’s not just Halloween fun and Christmas cheer through, there’s a serious reason to get people comfortable in cemeteries.
It’s around about giving people information to educate them about planning for death, rather than just waiting until it happens.
- Dean McElroy, CEO Remembrance Parks Central Victoria
Mr McElroy said RPCV wanted to demystifying death now to ease the burden on families later, during the difficult time that followed a loss.
RPCV hopes that educating people about death means they will begin conversations with their family and friends about their wishes.
“It’s around about giving people information to educate them about planning for death, rather than just waiting until it happens,” Mr McElroy said.
“It’s just trying to make the transition I suppose from life to death as smooth and as painless [as possible].
“When the time happens, as challenging as it might be, things are in place so you don’t have to worry about it.”
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