Inspired by the Buddhist practice of Maraņasati or ‘mindfulness of death’, this walking tour of Melbourne General Cemetery invites visitors to find beauty in the impermanence of human life, nature, and art. We will examine the cemetery’s changing history and the diversity of burials and cremations contained therein, including facilitated moments of reflection and meditation. Expect an uplifting exploration of death as a vital part of life.

Presented as part of the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative's 2025 walking tour series.

What to expect:

A 90-minute walking tour of the Melbourne General Cemetary.
A small group with plenty of opportunities for discussion and questions.
While every effort will be made to accommodate mobility levels, participants should expect approximately 2-3 kilometres as part of the tour, and be comfortable navigating uneven terrain.

Your tour guide

Dr Hannah Gould is a cultural anthropologist interested in death, Buddhism, and material culture in Australia and North-East Asia. Her research spans new traditions and technologies of Buddhist death rites, the lifecycle of religious materials, and modern lifestyle movements.

She is currently Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Studies in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, at the University of Melbourne.

Alongside academic research and publishing, Hannah creates public programs to advocate for more equitable systems of deathcare for all.

Enquiries

Please send your enquiries to arts-engage@unimelb.edu.au

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Top image credit: neonluxe