The nearest public crematoriums are in Melbourne and Eaglehawk, just outside Bendigo.
Kamaldeep Singh is one of the organisers behind a push for a crematorium to be built in Shepparton.
He said data finding a facility wasn’t needed here was 15 years old.
Since then, the city's Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh communities have increased in size.
The number of cremations in Victoria has also outnumbered burials over the three months, to June, with 4105 burials across the state and 5970 cremations in April, May and June 2021.
Mr Singh said there was a real demand for cremations in Shepparton, both for religious and non-religious ceremonies.
He also said driving long distances while grieving was dangerous.
“In the grieving time there’s extra emotional stress and we don’t think it’s a good time to drive a long distance,” he said.
“For our community it’s not a good thing, it can cause some accidents or stress or other things.”
He said Shepparton was a central point for Echuca, Wodonga, Wangaratta and other regional centres, which could help alleviate the travel distance for the north-east of the state.
“There’s also the cost involved with travelling,” Mr Singh said.
State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed said she had raised the issue with the Victorian Health Minister.
“I think we do need (a public crematorium), because of significant growth in our community,” Ms Sheed said.
“A number of religions prefer cremation and want to be there before the burning of the body, but it’s not just religious.”
She said she’d been approached by several members of the community, including Mr Singh, about building one in the city.
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