Changing attitudes to death can mean a new role for cemeteries in modern life
Would you have coffee in a cemetery or take your kids to play near a family member's final resting place?
It was a popular pursuit during the Victorian era and some people are trying to revive the practice.
A cemetery is the last place you would expect to find people laughing, being more often associated with death, sadness and even the supernatural.
Fawkner Memorial Park, just north of Melbourne's CBD, has a historical monument, perfectly manicured gardens, a cafe and train station in the middle.
It was built in 1906 and it is over 100 acres in size.
Jacqui Weatherill from the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust wants to design more cemeteries to attract the living.
She said planning for new cemeteries engages the community early to gauge their needs and to form their perceptions.
"People come into cemeteries now and see that we have playgrounds and they can have a cup of coffee, [it's] for walking the dogs, riding their pushbikes, running — people can come here and meditate," she said.
Ms Weatherill said cemeteries became known as scary or sad places after World War I.
"Certainly in the Victorian era, families used to come to this cemetery and promenade, so they would come down with their family and friends, visit loved ones who'd passed away and really enjoy the park environment," she said.
She encouraged people to use these spaces again.
With that in mind, newer cemeteries are being designed to memorialise people within a park environment, instead of being filled with headstones.
"We used to have [cremated] remains in a plastic container," Ms Weatherill said.
"[Now] we can mix the cremated remains with a soil substance and inject it into the root ball of a tree....
"That tree grows from the infusion, and it gives the family that sense that the person has grown within the tree again."
The design of new cemeteries is in line with the move away from traditional burial practices, according to Bernard Salt, managing director of the Demographics Group.
"Our attitude towards death and remembrance and memorials is changing," he said.
Mr Salt said more people were paying attention to the burial process, choosing environmentally friendly coffins and ceremonies not involving churches.
He said the change was consistent with modern day values and people wanting to be remembered the way they lived.
"People want it to be more relaxed, less scary, more inclusive."