It is considered to be very auspicious to sponsor a holy object in the name of the deceased. The Great Stupa is making it possible for the bereaved to choose from several auspicious memorials for family and friends. Our aim is to provide options that will suit the wishes and budgets of most people.

Beautiful long-lasting bronze Memorial Stupas will be located on top of the terrace walls that surround the Great Stupa. These stupas will be approximately 40 cm high. They will be filled with holy objects and consecrated. The ashes of the deceased will be specially blessed in a Jung Wa ceremony. The blessed ashes will then be placed in a niche beneath the Memorial Stupa and securely covered by a cast bronze plaque that will carry the name of the deceased and a message from the bereaved. One Memorial Stupa is AUD$2,500 / USD$1,750. Additional Memorial Stupas and a family memorial group of eight adjoining Memorial Stupas are available at reduced fees.

Beautiful Memorial Walls of local stone and rendered brick will be placed along the outer circumambulation path of the Great Stupa. The ashes of the deceased will be blessed in a Jung Wa ceremony. The blessed ashes will then be placed in a niche in the wall and securely covered by a cast bronze plaque that carries the name of the deceased and a message from the bereaved. One Memorial Wall site is AUD$650 / USD$450. Additional Memorial Wall sites and a family memorial group of eight adjoining Memorial Wall sites are available at reduced fees.

Two Great Prayer Wheels, located at the entrance to the Great Stupa, are available as memorials. The ashes of the deceased will be blessed in a Jung Wa ceremony. The blessed ashes will then be placed in a niche underneath the Great Prayer Wheel and securely covered by a cast bronze plaque that carries the name of the deceased and a message from the bereaved. One Great Prayer Wheel is AUD$28,000 / USD$19,000. Both Great Prayer Wheels are available for AUD$50,000 / USD$34,000.

108 Prayer Wheels inset into the outside wall of the Great Stupa are available as memorials. The ashes of the deceased will be blessed in a Jung Wa ceremony. The blessed ashes will then be placed in a niche underneath the prayer wheel and securely covered by a cast bronze plaque that carries the name of the deceased and a message from One Prayer Wheel is AUD$2,500 / USD$1,750. Additional Prayer Wheels and a family memorial group of eight adjoining Prayer Wheels are available at reduced fees.

Benefactors are offered the opportunity of sponsoring Buddha images inside the Great Stupa in the name of the bereaved. The sponsors name and dedication will be inscribed on a small plaque (size varies) beneath the image and this will remain there in perpetuity. These statues and paintings can be sponsored for costs ranging from AUD$650 / USD$450 to tens of thousand dollars.

The trees that surround the Great Stupa can each be sponsored in the name of the deceased. A 200mm x 100mm cast bronze plaque is placed at the base of the chosen tree. The cost of this memorial is AUD$450 / USD$305. Additional trees are available at a small discount.

What do the fees cover?
The fees shown above are all-inclusive. They include the memorial (e.g. bronze stupa), offerings to monks and nuns for the Jung Wa ceremony and the consecrations, the cast bronze plaque, GST if applicable, donation to the Great Stupa and an allocation for the upkeep of the memorial in perpetuity.

When will the memorials be ready?
Memorials will be ready in 2004, dependent on demand. Until required, the ashes will be securely stored in the Atisha temple where visiting Sangha will be asked to pray for the deceased.

Do I need to give all the ashes to the Memorial Stupa?
No, we only require a small amount of ashes. After blessing, excess ashes are returned to the family.

What happens if the deceased is to be buried?
If the deceased is to be buried we can proceed as normal, with some hair and /or fingernail clippings of the deceased in place of the ashes.

Is it possible to be buried near the Great Stupa?
At this stage this service is not offered. This may be considered in the future.

Can I choose what goes on the bronze plaques?
Yes, all wording on the plaques is chosen by the bereaved. This is subject to restrictions on the number of words. Our standard plaque will carry Buddhist blessing images for a fortunate rebirth. Other images can be chosen however they may incur an extra cost.

How long are these fees current for?
All fees in this document are subject to change.

Can I pay the fee for my memorial in advance?
Yes, these fees can be paid in advance. Payment in advance can be a great comfort to your loved ones.

Can I pay the fee off over time?
Arrangements can usually be made to pay the fees off over an extended time. Please contact the Memorials Coordinator regarding your wishes.

Memorials Coordinator,
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
e-mail:
phone: +61 3 5442 3200
43 View Street
Bendigo VIC 3550
Australia