RESIDENTS are concerned how funds will be allocated and whether grounds will still be maintained at a high standard now that Keilor Cemetery is run by an umbrella trust.

They also fear job losses from the move.

Under the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, which began operating last Monday, cemetery trusts across Melbourne are now under State Government control.

The new trust is made up of the former Keilor, Preston, Andersons Creek, Lilydale and Templestowe cemetery trusts, Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park, Altona Memorial Park and Wyndham Cemeteries Trust.

Keilor Ratepayers Association president and Keilor Historical Society member Susan Jennison is worried there could be less accountability.

"How will they work out what money will be spent where?

"Keilor has a fair amount of money, but that will now go into a joint kitty to be shared among all these cemeteries.

"This is money raised for and by the people of Keilor.

"We are also not sure if all the management jobs or even maintenance jobs will be safe."

Trust chairwoman Catherine Brown, a lawyer and management consultant, said she and seven trust members - all paid - would oversee it.

"I am aware that each trust has its own history, that there will be gripes about this and that," she said.

"There are a couple of things we'll be doing to ensure the voices of each cemetery are heard, such as ensuring there are 'friends of' groups and the setting up of community advisory committee, which will include community members."

People would be invited to apply for positions on that committee.

Ms Brown hoped there would be no job losses for executive staff of former committees.

"The jobs of senior executives would be under review as to what their roles are and what they do.

"It is a possibility jobs could be lost, but very few people would be affected."