Poowong Cemetery

The people of Poowong and district have maintained an unusual but very practical approach to their cemetery. The funeral procession walks to the cemetery. Numbers estimated to be close to 1000 have accompanied the hearse – walking, not driving. The cemetery is very close to town, and sits on a very scenic but very steep hill, and the town Hall or church probably closer to the cemetery than the nearest parking. The limited off-road parking is reserved for families and the elderly and disabled.

Established in 1881, Poowong has the oldest cemetery in South Gippsland, after the Foster cemetery (further south-east) in 1871. The first European families were moving into the Poowong region in the mid-1870s, and early burials were on private land. The first of these recorded were two children from the Holmes family, who were interred near the Pioneer Chapel, then a Wesleyan Church. Sadly, the actual location has been lost over the years.

When drafting the Cemetery rules, the first trustees made provision for both vaults and brick graves – both in evidence today. The original fence, along with much of the District fences, had to be replaced after the calamitous fires of 1898.

The lawn cemetery was established in 1966.

The Directory helps visitors research their family history, and records are now being digitised. Cemeteries are always worth a stroll around and Poowong Cemetery topography is pretty, with the rolling hills and grazing sheep as a backdrop as you drive alongside the Loch-Poowong Road,

The cemetery is wonderfully maintained by a volunteer group at poowongcemtrustpoowong3099@outlook.com.