Recycled metals fund cemetery benches for bereaved families

Key points

• Metals recovered after cremation have helped fund park benches in cemeteries across Geelong and the Bellarine. The Geelong Cemeteries Trust recycles items such as titanium joint replacements and stainless-steel surgical screws, then donates the money to grief organisations.
• One recipient, The Compassionate Friends Victoria, used the funding for the benches, which carry a plaque and a QR code linking to its services. The organisation's chief executive, Alex Hamilton, said the benches offer a way to reach bereaved people.
• The program funded almost $40,000 in donations last year.