We provide sensitive and dignified facilities and services including cremation, burial and entombment
12/09/2025
The Norfolk Chapel at Karrakatta is now ready to reopen following extensive restoration works after a deliberately lit fire in October 2024 caused extensive damage and forced the chapel’s closure.
The Norfolk Chapel, a significant community space for funerals and memorials, has been carefully revitalised to ensure it continues to provide a dignified, comfortable, and welcoming environment for families and communities. The project has included modern upgrades to the chapel and condolence lounge while preserving the character of this much-loved facility.
The official reopening was led by our Chief Executive Officer, Kathlene Oliver, at a small ceremony this afternoon ahead of services recommencing on Monday 15 September 2025.
The event was attended by the Hon Dr Katrina Stratton MLC, on behalf of the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Local Government; members of the funeral industry; contractors, architects and suppliers who worked on the renovation; MCB Board members; and members of the media.
We look forward to welcoming families and the community back to one of our largest chapels, providing a beautiful space for services and remembrance once again.
07/09/2025
Today, despite the steady rain, families came together across Perth’s cemeteries to honour the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who are no longer with us.
At Karrakatta Cemetery alone, more than 500 vehicles passed through the main entrance, a reminder of the enduring importance of these spaces in the lives of our community. Here, bright umbrellas bloomed among the headstones, creating a moving picture of colour and love against the grey sky.
Rain did little to dampen the spirit of remembrance. Instead, it served as a backdrop to heartfelt moments of connection, as families gathered around graves to share stories, place flowers and reflect on cherished memories.
04/09/2025
This Sunday, we welcome you to our cemeteries to remember the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our lives who are no longer with us.
Staff will be available at Karrakatta, Pinnaroo and Fremantle Cemeteries to assist with queries from 9am until 1pm.
Our other cemeteries will be open to visitors as usual.
02/08/2025
Remembering Edith Dircksey Cowan OBE – Born 2 August 1861
Edith was born on this day in 1861. Her courage, conviction and compassion helped shape Western Australia’s social and political landscape.
Best known as the first woman elected to an Australian parliament in 1921, Edith Cowan was a tireless advocate for women’s suffrage, child welfare, and social justice. She played a key role in establishing the Children’s Court in WA, was instrumental in founding the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women and worked with organisations like the Women’s Service Guild and the National Council of Women.
Her parliamentary work helped pave the way for reforms in marriage and divorce law, education, and the legal rights of women and children. Edith’s legacy is so enduring that her face now appears on the Australian $50 note, a lasting symbol of her contribution to public life.
Edith is laid to rest at Karrakatta Cemetery, where her legacy is honoured as part of our Walking with WA Women historical trail. Visitors can pause at her gravesite, located close to the main driveway, and reflect on the lasting impact of her work in building a more just and inclusive society.
As we remember Edith on her birthday, we honour the legacy of a visionary leader whose impact continues to shape our society today.
28/07/2025
Fremantle Mausoleum Maintenance Works - Fremantle Cemetery
Following a recent assessment, significant roof repairs are required to address leaks. These essential works will take place over 22 weeks, beginning in August 2025 and are expected to be completed by December 2025.
Please note:
- Interment services will continue throughout, where possible, with funeral directors ensuring respectful coordination.
- Access to the entrance display niches will mostly remain available, though may be restricted for 2–3 days during lighting upgrades.
- If you’re planning a visit for a special occasion or anniversary, we encourage you to call ahead on 1300 793 109 or visit the administration office to confirm access is available.
- Mausoleum Grant holders will be kept up to date via post.
We kindly ask you to share this information with any family or friends who may wish to visit during this period.
Thank you for your understanding as we complete these important repairs to preserve the dignity and care of the mausoleum spaces.
23/07/2025
If you're visiting our cemeteries and notice our rose bushes looking a little smaller than usual, don't worry! It's their annual winter pruning.
Pruning while the roses are dormant helps encourage strong new growth and even more beautiful blooms come spring. In just a few months, these hardy plants will be bursting back to life with vibrant colour.
Thank you for your understanding as we care for these peaceful, reflective spaces throughout the seasons.
12/07/2025
Standing in the Anglican section of Fremantle Cemetery is a striking maritime memorial, honouring those lost in the tragic wrecks of the Carlisle Castle and City of York during a violent storm which occurred on this day in 1899.
The City of York ran aground on a Rottnest reef, claiming 11 lives. Remarkably, 15 crew members survived and in the wreckage, six live chickens were discovered still penned in a coop, along with the ship’s cat seen wandering the ship. The ship’s large iron anchor was later recovered and now sits in remembrance near the main jetty at Thomson Bay.
The Carlisle Castle, however, went down near Penguin Island with no survivors. All 22 souls on board were lost.
Heartbroken by the tragedy, the Fremantle community came together, raising funds to support the survivors and to erect this beautiful memorial to those who never returned.
Crafted with incredible artistry, the monument rises over 12 feet high. It features a cross, anchor, and chain carved from a single block of white Sicilian marble, all mounted on a base of locally quarried Meckering stone. The grave is framed by Malmsbury blue stone from Victoria and finished with ornate iron railings.
Beneath the memorial lie the remains of seven men from the wrecks, including:
From the City of York:
Horace Stockwell
William Plantin
John Conway
John Brimer
William Wallis
From the Carlisle Castle:
Frederick Houston
An unidentified man, believed to be an officer, recognised only by the brass buttons on his uniform.
Inscribed with the words “The sea shall give up her dead,” the memorial is both a work of art and a moving reminder of our coast’s maritime history.
Fremantle Cemetery: Anglican A 237-240
07/07/2025
Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the rich history and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Over this week, we reflect on the importance of connection to Country, culture, and community.
At Karrakatta Cemetery, nestled in a peaceful bush setting, lies the Aboriginal Keeping Place, a space of deep significance and quiet dignity. It holds the remains of Aboriginal people who are awaiting repatriation to Country, as well as those who were once kept in museums and sadly cannot be identified for return.
This is the first facility of its kind in Australia. It honours those whose journeys were interrupted, offering a respectful resting place while their stories and history continue to be acknowledged and remembered.
The Keeping Place is more than a physical site, it’s a symbol of healing, truth-telling, and cultural integrity. It reminds us of the importance of listening, learning, and walking alongside First Nations communities in the spirit of reconciliation.
As we mark NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, we pay our respects to the Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Custodians, on whose land the Aboriginal Keeping Place stands, and to Elders past, present, and emerging.
13/06/2025
A significant milestone was reached today at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, as the final Japanese Pepper Tree was officially removed, marking the successful end to a year-long effort to restore and protect the park’s natural bushland.
Working together, the Pinnaroo grounds team and MCB CEO Kathlene Oliver, undertook the removal of the last of this invasive species in the park, which has posed a serious threat to local biodiversity. Over the past year, the grounds team has removed more than 200 Japanese Pepper trees, filling over 60 skip bins with plant material in the process.
Japanese Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) is a fast-growing, invasive pest species that spreads aggressively through root suckers and seeds dispersed by birds and animals. It forms dense thickets, smothers native understorey plants, and disrupts fragile ecosystems like the one carefully preserved at Pinnaroo.
This achievement is a testament to our dedication to caring for our native environment and ensuring that Pinnaroo remains a place of tranquil serenity for remembrance, reflection and natural beauty.
A big thanks to our dedicated Pinnaroo grounds crew and to Kathlene for their leadership and hard work.
06/06/2025
With the latest rains, Makuru, the Noongar season of fertility, has made itself known. Traditionally the coldest and wettest time of year, Makuru signals a time of great change, where the land begins to rest and renew in preparation for new life. It’s a time when Noongar people would move inland away from the coastal winds, and fertility in the environment begins to stir despite the chill in the air.
At our cemeteries, you can witness Makuru at work in subtle and beautiful ways:
🍁 The brilliantly coloured autumn leaves are beginning to fall with the first storms of the season.
🐢 Tiny hatchlings of the endangered Western Swamp Tortoise begin to emerge at Pinnaroo. They’re only the size of a 10 cent coin!
🐦⬛ Australian ravens are starting to pair up for the upcoming breeding season.
🦎 Reptiles are reducing their activity, only appearing on those rare bursts. of winter sunshine.
Makuru reminds us of the resilience and rhythm of nature, even in the quietest, coldest times, life is preparing to bloom again.
27/05/2025
Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to reflect, learn, and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. At its heart, it is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, acknowledging our shared history and walking forward together with respect.
The theme for 2025, “Bridging Now to Next,” encourages us to reflect on how our actions today can shape a better, more inclusive future. It speaks to the importance of learning from the past, standing together in the present, and building meaningful change for the next generations.
The artwork for Bridging Now to Next campaign has been created by Kalkadoon artist, Bree Buttenshaw, and celebrates the resilience of Australia’s native flora, featuring Lemon Myrtle, Banksia, Gum Leaves, Desert Lime and Kangaroo Paw, renowned for their ability to endure harsh conditions, regenerate after fire, and flourish through adversity.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board respectfully acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our cemeteries are located. We recognise and honour their enduring connection to the land, waters, and sky, and we pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging.
16/05/2025
Last week at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, we took an important step to protect our native environment.
The aquatic management team from Pases Aqua visited our lakes to rehome invasive fish species, mostly koi and goldfish, that had been illegally dumped. These bottom-feeding fish were disrupting the ecosystem, contributing to algae blooms and affecting the endangered Western Swamp Tortoise's breeding cycle.
By removing them from Pinnaroo’s lakes, we’re helping restore ecological balance and giving native wildlife a better chance to thrive.
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The MCB is a statutory authority of the government of Western Australia managing six cemeteries within the metropolitan area, including Karrakatta, Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park (PVMP), Midland, Guildford, Fremantle and Rockingham Regional Memorial Park (RRMP). We provide sensitive and dignified facilities and services to meet the needs of the deceased and bereaved, including cremation, burial, entombment, memorialisation and chapel services, as well as planning for future cemetery needs of the Perth metropolitan population.
House Guidelines. Please Note.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our page. Our aim is to create an engaging and informational space whereby we can keep the community up to date with the various goings on across our six cemetery and memorial park locations.
We aim to monitor our page each day during the working week (Monday – Friday) and welcome your constructive comments, input and suggestions. If you wish to discuss a personal family matter we respectfully ask that this not be within the public Facebook forum and that you email us directly (mcb@mcb.wa.gov.au) or give us a call on 1300 793 109.
So as to ensure respectful discussions, we have a number of guidelines in place that we ask you to familiarise yourself with. These are outlined below.
We reserve the right to remove any user content that we determine, in our sole discretion, to be in violation of Facebook’s terms of use or content that includes or promotes the following:
Believed to be from a fake account, fake profile, or is a repeat post
A personal attack on any member of the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board community – including but not limited to board members and staff members
False, deceptive, misleading or deceitful information
Material intentionally designed so as to generate discontent
Illegal or promoting illegal activity
Demonstrates or encourages the misuse of our products or activities we view to be inappropriate within our grounds
Includes personally identifiable information (such as telephone numbers, first and last names, street or email addresses) of anyone who has not given permission
Promoting third-party elements; including but not limited to contests and giveaways, products and ideas
Including images or videos of anyone other than you, without permission from that person or that person’s legal parent or guardian
Images or videos from within the grounds that have not been sourced in accordance with the guidelines stipulated within the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board By-Laws
Selling a product or service of any type
Is otherwise objectionable or inappropriate (as deemed by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board)
We reserve the right to delete content and/or block users at our absolute discretion.
