The Eltham Cemetery Trust, established in 1858, selected the existing burial site at Mount Pleasant Road on high ground overlooking the village of Eltham.

Trustees appointed from various church and local organisations have administered and maintained the cemetery to this day.

The cemetery, set in natural bushland adjoining Montsalvat, is the resting place of Sir William Irvine, a former Premier and Chief justice of Victoria.

Headstones depict the names of many early and well known local families.

Eltham Cemetery celebrated 150 years in 2008.