Memorials

Memorials at The Great Stupa are for anyone. Many people who are not Buddhist choose the have their memorial at The Great Stupa because they appreciate the peaceful, harmonious atmosphere.

Yes, all wording on the plaques is chosen by the bereaved. Please bear in mind the more wording chosen, the smaller the text. All of our plaques carry Buddhist blessing images; a silhouette of The Great Stupa, and a Dharma Wheel. Other images can additionally be chosen, however they will incur an extra cost.

Both the Stupa Wall Memorials and the Wall Niche Memorials offer a space no larger than 150mm (W) x 115mm (H) x 255mm (L); this is the standard cremation urn size. When bringing ashes or belongings to The Great Stupa please be mindful of this and have them in an appropriate sized urn / box. Suitable cremation urns can be purchased from The Great Stupa office.

With notice, adjoining Stupa Wall Memorials, Wall Niche Memorials, and Tree Memorials can be booked. Adjoining Tree Memorials are around the same tree.

Stupa Wall Memorials and Wall Niche Memorials can have hair, nail clippings, photographs, or belongings placed inside of the memorial walls instead of ashes. Tree Memorials can only accept ashes, as they are scattered into the Earth beneath the trees. Memorials can also be placed in memory of a loved one, with no ashes/items being placed, just simply the plaque.

No. It is up to the deceased and bereaved to decide if they wish to place all of the ashes at the chosen memorial, or retain some of the ashes for distribution as they see fit, or place no ashes and simply have the memorial in memory of the deceased.

The fees include all costs and GST. They include the memorial, offerings to Sangha for the ashes placement ceremony, the cast bronze plaque, a donation to The Great Stupa, and an allocation for the upkeep of the memorial in perpetuity. Please note that the cost of the optional bronze vase is not included, and comes at an additional cost.

There are no fees to be paid after the costs as shown in this brochure have been paid.

Arrangements can be made to pay the fees off over an extended time once a deposit is made. Please contact The Great Stupa office to discuss your wishes.

Yes, these fees can be paid in advance. Payment in advance can be a great comfort to your loved ones.

Fees are subject to review at any time, and are based on the current fee at the time an application form, and deposit is received.

We will always do our best to accommodate wishes, and requests can be made for specific spots, but ultimately it is the decision of The Great Stupa staff.

There will be three memorials around each of our memorial trees. If a family requests to have four family members around the one tree, then we can accommodate that, however, the plaques will be spaced closer together.

We have three varieties of trees; Crepe Myrtle (top terrace – closest to the Stupa), Manchurian Pear (middle terrace) and Chinese Elm (lower terrace). With our Tree Memorials you can make a preference of which tree variety you wish to place the memorial under, and we will always try our best to suit your preference, but ultimately it is the decision of The Great Stupa office.

We can arrange for a Buddhist monk or nun to say prayers of auspiciousness at the ashes placement ceremony. There is no extra cost for this ceremony which is completely optional and depends on the wishes of the individual. Many people find the presence of the Buddhist monk or nun to be a comfort on this special day.

At this stage this service is not offered. This may be considered in the future.

Stupa Wall and Wall Niche Memorials are perpetual. Tree Memorials are for a period of 50 years from the placement of the memorial; after 50 years the plaques are relocated to a covered display area in The Great Stupa gardens where they are kept perpetually.