Brighton General Cemetery

Gateway Funerals arranges burials, ashes placements and memorial services at Brighton General Cemetery, one of Melbourne’s most historic garden cemeteries.

(03) 9776 0299
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About Brighton General Cemetery

Brighton General Cemetery is on the corner of North Road and Hawthorn Road in Caulfield South. Despite its name, it sits just outside Brighton. Land was reserved in 1853, trustees were appointed in 1854 and the first recorded burial took place in 1855.

Covering around 11.7 hectares, the cemetery holds more than 70,000 interments and is a heritage-significant Victorian garden cemetery, with an 1892 gate lodge and a brick perimeter wall built in 1924. A non-denominational lawn cemetery was added in 1958.

Since 2010 it has been managed by the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). Its historic denominational sections, including a Jewish section, reflect the many communities of Melbourne’s south-east.

Venue details

Address
Cnr North Road & Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South VIC 3162

Venue type
Heritage garden cemetery

Region
Caulfield South, south-east Melbourne

Opening hours
Grounds open 8am–6pm daily

Venue phone
1300 466 904

Get directions

Facilities at a glance

  • Heritage Victorian garden cemetery, est. 1854
  • Lawn cemetery section established in 1958
  • Historic denominational sections, including Jewish
  • 1892 gate lodge and 1924 perimeter wall
  • Commonwealth war graves
  • Brighton Cemetorians volunteer group

How Gateway Funerals can help

Brighton General Cemetery is a place of deep history for many families. We take care of the arrangements with SMCT and guide you through every option.

Burials and family graves

We confirm available graves or existing family rights with SMCT, arrange the reopening if needed and complete the paperwork.

Ashes and memorials

We enquire about available cremation memorials and arrange the placement and plaque on your behalf.

Faith and tradition

From Jewish burial customs to other faith traditions, we respect and support the rituals that matter to your family.

A cemetery rich in history

Brighton General Cemetery is the resting place of many prominent Australians, from military leaders and premiers to poets and painters. Phillip Blashki, who founded the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha, also introduced the Tahara house here.

The Brighton Cemetorians, a not-for-profit volunteer group, work with SMCT to honour those buried here through commemorative events.

Notable people resting here

  • General Sir John Monash
  • Premier Sir Thomas Bent
  • Poet Adam Lindsay Gordon
  • Author Rolf Boldrewood
  • Painter Frederick McCubbin
  • Landscape designer William Guilfoyle

Frequently asked questions

Brighton General Cemetery is on the corner of North Road and Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South.

No. It is named after Brighton but located in Caulfield South.

The cemetery is managed by SMCT. Availability of new graves and memorials is limited, so we check current options for you, including existing family graves.

Yes. The cemetery has historic denominational sections, including a Jewish section.

The grounds are open daily from 8am to 6pm.

Arrange a farewell at Brighton General Cemetery

Gateway Funerals is here for your family 24 hours a day. Call us, request a quote or explore the other venues we work with.

(03) 9776 0299
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$3,999 inc GST

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A respectful cremation with no funeral or ceremony beforehand. We take care of everything quietly, so you can say goodbye in your own way, whenever feels right.

  • Professional fee
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  • Arrangement meeting with an experienced funeral director
  • Cremation coffin
  • Medical certificates & cremation permits
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  • Ashes available for collection from funeral home or crematorium
  • Official death certificate from Births, Deaths & Marriages

  • Viewing on request
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$5,900 inc GST

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A memorial service held after cremation or burial, where family and friends come together to remember, celebrate, and honour your loved one’s life in a way that feels right for your family.

  • Professional fee
  • Transfer of your loved one into care (business hours, local area)
  • Care of your loved one in our mortuary facilities
  • Arrangement meeting with an experienced funeral director
  • Cremation coffin
  • Viewing of your loved one (available on request)
  • Medical certificates & cremation permits
  • Cremation fees
  • Ashes available for collection from funeral home or crematorium
  • Official death certificate from Births, Deaths & Marriages
  • Memorial service planning fee
  • Booking of our chapel for the service

  • Memorialisation & urns
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Funeral Service

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$7,348.40 inc GST

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A traditional service, with your loved one present, followed by burial or cremation. Everyone who loved them gathers to grieve, remember, and say goodbye, in a way that honours your family’s traditions.

  • Professional service fee
  • Transfer of your loved one into care (business hours, local area)
  • Care of your loved one in our mortuary facilities
  • Arrangement meeting with an experienced funeral director
  • Viewing of your loved one (available on request)
  • Medical certificates & cremation permits
  • Cremation fees
  • Ashes available for collection from funeral home or crematorium
  • Official death certificate from Births, Deaths & Marriages
  • Booking of our chapel for the service

  • Memorialisation & urns
  • Celebrant or Clergy
  • Printed stationary (e.g. order of service booklet or signed memorial book)
  • Slideshow Tribute
  • Coffin / casket
  • Floral arrangements

Honouring Memories with National Monuments

At Gateway Funerals, we understand the importance of commemorating loved ones with dignity and respect. That’s why we have partnered with National Monuments, licensed and experienced monumental stonemasons servicing council, church, and trust cemeteries in Melbourne and wider VIC regions.

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Why Choose Gateway Funerals

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Testimonials

Shane Porter
2 weeks ago
I could not recommend Martine, Deena and staff at Gateway enough.You and the team went above and beyond standard duties to support our family through this difficult time.Showing us kindness and genuine compassion along the way.You will not know how much this meant to us.
David P
4 months ago
We are very grateful for Martine and the team at Gateway Funerals for everything they did for mum and our family. Martine was not only considerate, compassionate and comforting, but took care of us and the process, patiently explaining different options to us. The suppliers that they used for livestream, flowers and booklets were all high quality. Thank you, Martine and the team for all your help and support during the difficult time.
Diana
6 months ago
Gateway Funerals gave Dad a farewell beyond our expectations; he would be so happy. Brendan is so in tune with the emotional side, so respectful and diligent. We thank all the staff who answered emails within minutes. The establishment was immaculate, and a huge load was lifted from our shoulders. The catering was perfect, the flowers perfect and our celebrant, Anne Edwards, was 10,000% perfect! Absolutely nothing went wrong; we can highly recommend them.
Aussie Girl
7 months ago
We’re very grateful to Gateway Funeral Services for their compassion and professionalism during the loss of both my parents in 2025. They made a difficult time much easier to navigate. A special thank you to Martine whose care and support meant the world to our family. Highly recommend. Thank you Louise, Amanda and Katie.❤️
Jennifer Chen
7 months ago
​I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire team for the incredible care you provided during such a painful time. You didn't just organize a service; you created a warm and dignified farewell that truly helped ease the weight of my grief. ​A special thanks to Martine, whose patience and dedication in answering every question and meeting every request made a world of difference. Your professionalism, combined with the wonderful celebrant/host, turned a difficult day into a beautiful tribute. Thank you for your warmth and for treating my loved one with such grace.
Lisa Maree
8 months ago
I can’t thank the team at Gateway Funerals enough! They were wonderful. The process was stress free and we had a wonderful memorial for my much loved Brother. I would highly recommend their services.
Jason Kelley
8 months ago
Our family used Gateway Funerals for my brother Shannon’s service and we couldn’t be more grateful for how they looked after us. From the first conversation right through to the day of the service, they were kind, patient and very easy to deal with. During a really difficult time they helped guide us through everything and took a lot of the stress off our shoulders. The service itself at Bunurong Memorial Park was handled beautifully and everything ran smoothly. It meant a lot to our family knowing Shannon was being looked after with such care and respect. A big thank you to the whole Gateway team for helping us give my brother the send-off he deserved.
JP Keats
10 months ago
Martine was so considerate, thoughtful and caring throughout the whole process. She made each step so simple for us to deal with in such a difficult time. Thank you so much for everything
Angela Mawhinney
10 months ago
I would like to share my sincere thanks and gratitude to Dina at Gateway Funerals. She helped guide my family through the entire process with warmth, kindness, compassion and provided such a personal service to us. She truly went above and beyond to ensure that everything went smoothly and that my father had the best possible send off. Thank you Dina. You helped us more than you know.
Jim Walker
10 months ago
Extremely personable and professional. Appreciated their individualized care and attention.
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