Over the years the Springvale site has changed considerably. A caretaker’s residence and Lodge offices were originally situated just inside the entrance gates. What was once the cemetery entrance is now in the vicinity of our Administration area as the boundaries of the site have expanded over the years. Two hoop pines located on Main Drive, between the Luculia and Casuarina areas, indicate where the original entrance to the cemetery was located.
 The Original Inner Entrance to Springvale Botanical Cemetery - circa early 1900’s |
 First Entrance Gates - circa early 1900’s |
 Lodge Offices – circa early 1900’s |
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The Boyd Chapel, erected in 1936, was the first of the five chapels to be built within Springvale Botanical Cemetery. The Boyd Chapel, along with the Renowden Chapel (1941), the Wilson Chapel (1963) and the Blair Chapel (1971), formed a complex of four chapels surrounding the crematorium.
All chapels were named after Chairmen of the Trust, with the exception of the Blair, which was named after a long serving Trust Member. A fifth chapel, the Chapel of Eternal Rest, was built in 1997 and is incorporated within the Rocco Surace Mausoleum. State of the art improvements have been made to all chapels in recent years.
 Boyd Chapel - circa 1940 |
 Boyd Chapel - 2010 |
 Wilson Chapel - circa 1960’s |
 Wilson Chapel - 2010 |
Our Administration area has expanded considerably over the years, with a number of different buildings being utilised prior to the modern offices currently occupied.
 Early Administration Offices at Springvale Botanical Cemetery – circa 1950’s |
 Administration Offices – circa 1950’s |
 Administration Offices – 2009 |
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The aerial photographs below show the significant development of the site over a 60 year period.
 Aerial shot of Springvale Botanical Cemetery - circa 1940 |
 Aerial shot of Springvale Botanical Cemetery – 2002 |
On 5 December 1945, the Cross of Sacrifice was unveiled to commemorate 601 Commonwealth Service personnel who lost their lives in World War 2. Adjacent to this war cemetery, the Victorian Garden of Remembrance was opened in the 1960′s and is maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves.
 Cross of Sacrifice - circa 1945 |
 Cross of Sacrifice - 2007 |
 Commonwealth War Cemetery – late 1940s |
 Commonwealth War Cemetery - 2005 |
The American Expeditionary Forces arranged to have its own exclusive section within the cemetery. In April 1945 the 38 interred American service personnel were exhumed and transferred to Sydney for re-interment.
 Flag pole from American War Cemetery |
 American War Cemetery commemorative plaque |
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In the 1970’s it became apparent that skilled gardeners were required to maintain and develop the horticultural environment. It was late in this period that the renowned Garden of No Distant Place was created. This area involved elaborate landscaping and running water features in conjunction with the Books of Remembrance, housed within four glass pavilions. |
| In 1994 there was a change in Victorian law to allow above ground interments. The first stage of the Rocco Surace Mausoleum opened in 1997. It was named after a longstanding Trust Member and former Mayor of the City of Dandenong. With the predominant use of marble and granite, a beautiful stained glass window and Mediterranean-styled courtyards, it allowed for 1,188 interments. In November 1998, stage two was opened and allowed for a further 1,688 interments. |  Rocco Surace Mausoleum |
 Police Memorial |
The Police Memorial was erected in 1999 to commemorate all Victorian police officers who died, or were killed, in the line of duty. Both cremation memorials and burials are available adjacent to the site for police members and their families. A memorial commemorating the late Victorian Police Commissioner William ‘Frank’ Green is one of a number of memorials located at the site. Each year at the end of September the official closing of National Police Remembrance Day is held at the Police Memorial within Springvale Botanical Cemetery. |
Our centennial year in 2001 saw the addition of the café/florist, the Reflection and Tecoma function rooms, along with the Walls of Reflection. Providing a temporary memorial for cremated remains, the Walls of Reflection allow family and friends to visit and reflect whilst permanent memorial arrangements are being made.
 The Walls of Reflection |
 The Tecoma Function Room |
 Café/Florist |
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In 2003, the beautiful Song He Yuan area was officially opened. The Song He Yuan provides Asian style burial and cremation memorial options and is the home of the Di Zhang Wang Temple and Buddha.
The name of the area has significance:
- Song – Evergreen Pine Trees, which represent long lasting life.
- He – the Crane, which is regarded as a long-life bird.
- Yuan – garden.
Chinese people often use the words ‘Song’ and ‘He’ together to wish a lucky, long living life, especially for elderly people.
 The Di Zhang Wang Buddha and temple |
 The beautiful Song He Yuan area |
The Luciano Rossetti Mausoleum
The architectural award winning Luciano Rossetti Mausoleum opened, adjacent to the Rocco Surace Mausoleum, in 2005. It provides for a further 1,398 interments. This mausoleum also features six exclusive family rooms.
In 2006, The Necropolis Springvale changed its trading name to Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
The grounds of Springvale Botanical Cemetery are unique as they are comprised of varying types of grave sites, memorials and garden areas. Set on over 169 hectares (422 acres) of world renowned botanical gardens, the grounds reflect a beauty and tranquility.
 An early garden area at Springvale Botanical Cemetery |
 The R. J. Smith Pools and Garden of No Distant Place |