Pilgrimages

The Crypt deep within the Shrine of Remembrance contains two plaques that between them read:

THIS HOLY PLACE COMMEMORATES
VICTORIA'S GLORIOUS DEAD
THEY GAVE THEIR ALL
EVEN LIFE ITSELF
THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE
IN FREEDOM AND PEACE
FORGET THEM NOT

Since the opening of the Shrine of Remembrance the people of Victoria have taken these words to heart and visited the Shrine to remember their loved ones and friends. Many of these visits have been in the form of official ceremonies held by veteran's associations, and later, descendants of veterans, others though are of a less formal or official nature.

These less formal visits are known at the Shrine as 'pilgrimages' and are often intensely personal as friends and relatives of those who fought, and sometimes fell, come to the Shrine to honour their memories quietly and privately. Even now visitors to the Shrine often come here with a specific relative or friend in mind, including not just men who served in the Great War but also soldiers who served in later conflicts, including those serving today.

Visitors on 'pilgrimage' are encouraged to ask staff for any assistance they require such as direction to a particular unit memorial plaque or the turning of the pages of the Books of Remembrance to the one with the name of their loved one. Shrine Custodians can also arrange a simple service of remembrance in the Shrine Sanctuary upon request and small poppies can be obtained at Reception or the North Door for visitors to lay in an urn, at a memorial plaque or in the gardens.

Visitors seeking information on wreath laying ceremonies for associations and groups should visit our Wreath Laying page.