We provide sensitive and dignified facilities and services including cremation, burial and entombment
12/11/2025
Potential Parking Area Closure
Railway Road, Karrakatta Cemetery
13 November
The City of Nedlands has informed the MCB that urgent repairs are required for a growing pothole on Railway Road. To keep everyone safe, Lane 1 of Railway Road (marked in blue on the map) will be closed on 13 November while works take place.
Please note: the Karrakatta Cemetery car park on Railway Road (marked in yellow) may also be temporarily closed during this time.
The main entrance remains open but should only be used for funeral cortege vehicles.
Alternative parking is available along Railway Road on the southern side the main entrance, across the road adjacent to the train station, or throughout the cemetery via the Smythe Road and Government Road entrances.
We appreciate your patience and understanding while these essential repairs are completed.
07/11/2025
Last Sunday, we hosted our annual All Souls’ Day Catholic Mass at Karrakatta Mausoleum, a meaningful occasion where families and community members came together to honour and remember loved ones who have passed.
All Souls’ Day, observed on November 2nd, is a tradition in the Catholic Church dedicated to prayer and reflection for the faithful departed. Our service is delivered in both Italian and English, embracing the cultural diversity of our community.
With Father Marcellinus retiring from leading Karrakatta Masses last year, we were pleased to welcome the Rev Fr Oscar Aguilera OSM, a Servite priest originally from Chile, who led the service with warmth and compassion.
Fr Aguilera and the MCB wish to extend our sincere thanks to:
- The readers and special ministers for their contributions,
- All those who assisted with the collections and event coordination,
- The St John Ambulance paramedics for their support.
It was a special service that offered space for quiet reflection and connection among families and loved ones.
05/11/2025
A final act of charity.
Through our Surgical Metals Recycling Program, we ensure that metals remaining after cremation, like titanium from joint replacements, are ethically recycled via our partnership with Orthometals, ensuring they do not enter landfill or harm the environment.
In 2024–25, the program recycled 5,255 kilograms of surgical metals, equivalent to approximately 18x44-gallon drums! Importantly, 100% of funds raised are donated to charity, reflecting our commitment to compassion and community care.
Since 2013, this initiative has donated $3.4 million to WA charities. This year, thanks to the program's growth and increased donation capacity, we made the decision to expand the program’s recipients, inviting our staff to recommend charities they believe would benefit most from this support.
This past week, our CEO and team visited each organisation to personally present their donations, complete with giant cheques! While our day-to-day work often involves supporting people through grief, it was a welcome change to share some uplifting news and see the positive impact these contributions make. Each charity expressed heartfelt gratitude, and we were privileged to see firsthand the difference these contributions make.
Our donations proudly supported:
Cancer Council WA – who received $424,809.40
This helps to continue their vital work without disruption in supporting Crawford and Milroy Lodges. These facilities ensure that regional WA cancer patients don’t have to worry about finding accommodation in Perth during their treatment, offering comfort and stability at a challenging time.
Ronald McDonald House Charities WA – who received $212,404.70
This donation will assist families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in Perth, ensuring they have a place to stay close to the Children’s Hospital. Children are tragically overrepresented in our cemeteries, and supporting families during these critical moments helps reduce the burden and improve outcomes.
Lifeline WA – who received $212,404.70
These funds will be used to train approximately 25 crisis support volunteers, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to provide life-saving assistance to those reaching out in times of crisis. Beyond training, this donation will enable Lifeline WA to deliver essential wraparound support to their Crisis Supporters, including ongoing professional supervision and wellbeing services critical to sustaining their ability to respond effectively and compassionately. Our support aims to help prevent people from ending up in our cemeteries due to su***de, by ensuring timely and compassionate intervention.
We invite you to join us in honouring All Souls’ Day on Sunday 2 November 2025, at the Mausoleum at Karrakatta Cemetery.
Mass begins at 10.00am and will be conducted in both English and Italian
All Souls’ Day is a deeply significant occasion in the Catholic faith, a time to gather in prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed. It is a day of reflection, love, and connection, as families and communities come together to honour those who have gone before us.
Please note: the All Souls’ Day Mass at Fremantle Mausoleum will not take place in 2025 due to essential maintenance works on the roof. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and warmly welcome you to attend the Mass at Karrakatta instead.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful service with you.
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.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Metropolitan Cemeteries Board posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
