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Memorials

Information about arranging or pre-planning
memorials at The Great Stupa  

Dedicated to interfaith harmony, an everlasting resting place of remembrance

Information about arranging or pre-planning memorials at The Great Stupa

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is surrounded by memorial walls, trees and beautiful roses. The landscaped gardens are set against the tranquil backdrop of prayer wheels, meandering pathways, water features, and is an ideal place for quiet reflection and peaceful meditation.

We offer cremains and remembrance memorials within contemporary built memorial walls, established trees and roses to suit the wishes and budgets of most people.

Stupa Wall Memorials

Beautiful long-lasting Stupas are located on top of the memorial walls that surround the Great Stupa. 

The ashes of the deceased, or mementos are placed below, within the wall niche, which is sealed by an expertly crafted bronze oval plaque. This is the highest row in our memorial walls and these memorials are perpetual.

$6800 per niche

Tree Memorials

Chinese Elm, Manchurian Pear and Crepe Myrtle trees circle the Great Stupa on three terraced levels.

The ashes of the deceased are mixed with the earth at the base of the memorial tree, and an expertly crafted bronze plaque is mounted on a sandstone block and placed as a marker beneath the tree.

Tree Memorial plaques are in place for a period of 50 years from date of placement; after this time, the plaque is to be relocated to an area in the Great Stupa Garden where it will be kept in perpetuity.

There are 3 memorial places available per tree.

$4800 per place

Wall Niche Memorials

Set amongst the Chinese Elm trees, the Memorial Walls surround the Great Stupa on the first level of the Memorial Terrace Garden.

The ashes of the deceased, or mementos, are placed within the chosen niche which is sealed by an expertly crafted bronze plaque.
These memorials are perpetual.

Priced  by row:

Row 1 – 4 $4500

Row 5 – $3500

Rose Memorials

A beautiful rose garden bed circles the Great Stupa on the highest level of the Memorial Terrace Garden.

The ashes of the deceased are mixed with the earth at the base of the rose bush, and an expertly crafted bronze plaque, with your chosen wording, is placed in tribute.

Rose Memorial plaques are in place for a period of 50 years from date of placement; after this time, the plaque will be relocated to an area in the Great Stupa Garden, where it will be kept in perpetuity.

The ashes of one person can be interred at one rose. If you wish to purchase a shared memorial, you may have 1/2 of both ashes placed together at the same time and both names would share the one plaque.

$4800 per place

Memorial Seats

Honor a loved one with a memorial seat on the First Terrace. Each seat offers a place of rest and reflection, with a personalized plaque and a choice of location.

In front of the Memorial Walls on the First Terrace, we are offering the opportunity to sponsor a memorial seat.

Each seat provides a place of rest and reflection, and sponsors can choose their preferred location. Each memorial seat includes a small plaque acknowledging the sponsor.

$2000 per seat

Additional
information

Our memorial plaques

The memorial plaques are Australian made and crafted from solid bronze, with your chosen wording. You may include names, dates, and favourite quotes or sayings in your design.

All memorial plaques carry standard, Buddhist blessing emblems; a silhouette of the Great Stupa on the left, and a Dharma Wheel on the right.

For an additional cost you may include a photograph, personal emblem or design which is quoted at the time of creating the plaque.

Stupa Wall Memorials

Surrounding the Great Stupa,
highest row

Bronze oval plaque;
ashes or mementos placed in niche

Perpetual

 

Tree Memorials

Terraced levels around the Great Stupa

Ashes mixed with earth;
plaque on sandstone block under the tree

50 years;
plaque moved to perpetual garden

 

Wall Niche Memorials

Memorial Walls among Chinese Elm trees on first terrace

Ashes or mementos placed in niche;
bronze plaque

Perpetual

 

Rose Memorials

Rose garden on the highest terrace

Ashes mixed with earth at the rose base;
plaque placed in tribute

50 years;
plaque moved to perpetual garden

 

Memorial Seats

In front of the Memorial Walls on the First Terrace

Includes a small plaque acknowledging the sponsor

Perpetual

 

Frequently asked questions

General information

Are these memorials just for Buddhists?

Memorials are open to everyone, regardless of faith, and even include beloved family pets.

Yes, pre-planning provides comfort to your loved ones. You can reserve a memorial and pre-pay in full or pay a 20% deposit, with up to three years to complete the balance.

Adjoining memorials can be reserved, subject to availability.

Fees include the bronze plaque, a blessing (if requested), a donation to the Great Stupa, and an allocation for perpetual upkeep. Tree and Rose Memorials are for 50 years, after which plaques are relocated to a nearby memorial area for perpetuity. No ongoing fees apply.

Types of memorials

Where can ashes be placed at the Great Stupa site?

The Memorial Terrace Garden is a defined area on the grounds of the Great Stupa, for the purpose of interment of cremated remains, and placement of plaques. Memorials are exclusive to the purpose-built Memorial Walls, designated Memorial Trees, and Memorial Roses.

No, you can choose to place all, some, or none of the ashes. Memorial plaques can also honor loved ones without ashes.

For Wall Memorials, you may place items like hair, nail clippings, photographs, letters, or belongings. However, Tree and Rose Memorials can only accept ashes.

A Rose Memorial can hold the ashes of one person or half the ashes of two individuals. Tree Memorials can accommodate ashes of up to two people.

Memorial arrangements

How long does it take to arrange a memorial?

Once the family have collected the ashes from the crematorium, an interment and blessing can usually be arranged within a few weeks. We place a temporary plaque whilst the plaque is being made which takes between 8 – 12 weeks including delivery.

Interments are available on weekdays, excluding weekends and public holidays. Weekdays are quieter, providing a more peaceful experience.

Memorials are intimate gatherings typically attended by immediate family and friends. They are not comparable to traditional funerals.

Memorial Walls accommodate a space no larger than 145mm (W) x 115mm (H) x 250mm (L), suitable for a standard cremation urn.

Policies and expiry

What happens if a Memorial Tree or Rose needs to be replaced?

If a tree or rose requires replacement, soil containing ashes will be preserved and returned to the same location wherever possible.

A 30-day cooling-off period applies. Refer to the “Memorial Booking Form” for more details.

  • Fully paid memorials will expire after 108 years if unplaced.
  • Reserved places with a deposit must be paid in full by the specified date or will expire. Rebooking is subject to current prices.

Bequests

When preparing your Will, please consider a bequest to The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.

We recommend you speak to your Solicitor or Trustee Company about your Will and how best to make your bequest. It is possible to identify a specific purpose for your bequest. However, we recommend that you check with us in advance so that we can make appropriate plans to implement your wishes.
 
In general, the following are the main types of bequests you may care to consider.

General bequest

A bequest in which you give a fixed amount of money, or a percentage (for example 50%) of your estate, to The Great Stupa.

Specific bequest

A bequest of specific articles of property, such as houses, land, shares, cars, furniture, or jewellery, which are given to The Great Stupa.

Residual bequest

A bequest which is made up of the remainder of your estate after the Specific and General Bequests have been distributed to family and friends.

Perpetual trust bequest

A bequest where your solicitor or trustee company operates a perpetual trust which offers ongoing financial support to The Great Stupa.

Contact form

Our Memorial Manager will assist you with the arranging or pre-planning of a memorial, including helping you choose the wall, rose or tree location, the plaque design and a Buddhist blessing.
The interment usually takes place once the plaque has been crafted which usually takes a few months to arrange.

For further enquiries, or to proceed with a memorial, please call or email to arrange a meeting time with the Memorial Manager.

  • 25 Sandhurst Town Road,
    Myers Flat (Bendigo)
    VIC 3556

Opening hours

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

Monday to Friday

Tuesday – Thursday 9am to 5pm

Friday 9am – 3pm

Weekends and public holidays

Closed

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