Say Their Name Remembrance Service 2025: Supporting community with Red Nose

Supporting our community is at the heart of our work at Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). On Sunday 23 March 2025, our Community Care and Wellbeing (CCW) program team collaborated with Red Nose Australia to create a safe and welcoming space for community as part of Red Nose’s Melbourne Say Their Name Day remembrance service.

Say Their Name DayExternal site  is an initiative by Red Nose Australia which honours the lives and names of babies and children that have died. It aims to break the stigma associated with the loss of a baby or child that can prevent families from accessing support and care. Say Their Name Day emphasises the fact that every life matters and deserves to be both remembered and celebrated. Along with this day, Red Nose Australia provides support and care for bereaved families including building awareness and raising funds.

SMCT is honoured to be partnering with Red Nose AustraliaExternal site and we extend our gratitude to Red Nose for their work, including their continual dedication in supporting and educating the Australian community.

Creating a space to remember

Saying the names of lost children or babies is one of many ways to honour their lives and a key aspect of Say Their Name Day. This event allowed families to come together to acknowledge, honour and remember their loved ones through reflection, sharing of stories, poetry and connection.

An Acknowledgment of Country was given by Damian Ramondetta, Chief Customer Officer at SMCT, who also gave voice to the importance of community in creating and holding space for miscarriage loss. Fotini Koklas from Red Nose Australia led a candle lighting ceremony, which was followed by moving reflections from community members in remembering their lost children and babies. The event was closed by words of remembrance, led by Fotini: 

Supporting community

Establishing and collaborating on spaces and events such as the Say Their Name Day remembrance service is an essential part of SMCT’s Community Care and Wellbeing program. Providing avenues so that individuals and families can come together and find a community that can support them through their grief is incredibly important. SMCT is proud to partner with a range of organisations including Red Nose Australia to support the growth of community, both in events such as this and in physical spaces such as the Garden of Eternal Light at Bunurong Memorial Park.

For more information on the Community Care and Wellbeing program, please subscribe to their newsletterExternal site or visit their webpage.

Additional support

If you or a loved one is in need of additional support, please contact:

• Red Nose AustraliaExternal site hosts a range of resources and information, as well as a 24/7 grief and loss support line for anyone who has experience the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, or death or a baby or child.
  Phone: 1300 308 307
• Grief AustraliaExternal site for resources and guidance 
  Phone: 1800 642 066.
• GrieflineExternal site provides 24/7 access to grief support resources for all Australians. Their help line on 1300 845 745 is available 365 days per year, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm (AEDT).
• The Compassionate Friends VictoriaExternal site (TCFV) provides peer-to-peer support services for individuals (18+ years) bereaved of a child, sibling, or grandchild.
  24-hour grief support line: 03 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068
• LifelineExternal site
  For 24-hour phone support contact LifelineExternal site
  Phone: 13 11 14
• Beyond BlueExternal site
  Contact Beyond BlueExternal site for mental health and wellbeing support.
  Phone: 1300 22 46 36
• Kids HelplineExternal site
  For children and young people, up to 25 years of age
  Phone: 1800 551 800