Bunurong Memorial Park was established in 1995 by The Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries Trust. The Trust was also responsible for Cheltenham Memorial Park and Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.
In 1995 the administration office was built, major earth works commenced and the construction of roads was completed. During the same year landscaping commenced and an extensive irrigation system was developed for what was to become the Le Page Lawn and the beginnings of the Genesis Gardens.
While the first burial took place on 8 February 1996, the official opening of the cemetery was held on 29 August, with The Hon. Rob Knowles MP presiding.
Since then more than 30,000 burials and cremations have taken place within the 110 hectare (270 acre) site.
There have been a number of significant developments throughout the cemetery’s 15 years. The completion of the crematorium during 1997 allowed 407 cremations to be performed, increasing to 1,350 the following year. In the same year The Courtyard of the Pietà Mausoleum was constructed. The Sturdee Memorial Garden was established in 1999 to honour ex-service men and women and the Asian inspired Fushou Yuan area was established in 2000 to cater for the local Asian community.
The foundation stone for the Resurrection of Saint Lazarus Greek Orthodox Church was laid by the The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP and Archbishop Ezekiel on 17 May 2008. Construction is currently underway and the church and adjacent graves will open later in 2011.
Whilst every interment is special for the family concerned, there are a number of notable interments at Bunurong including:
- Troy Broadbridge – AFL Melbourne Football Club player
- Donald Chipp AO – Politician and Founder of the Australian Democrats
- Andrew Gilbert – Jockey
- Mark Goring – Jockey
Under legislative process, on 1 March 2010 The Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries Trust and The Trustees of the Necropolis Springvale were merged to create the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Bunurong Memorial Park is now one of the sites administered by that Trust.