Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust's Danny Casey says the handing over of the running of Catholic cemeteries to a government bureaucracy is one of the most "hostile, anti-religious acts" seen in a very long time.
"This is one of the most hostile, anti-religious acts we've seen in a very long time from Minister Pavey - with the support of the premier.
Mr Casey said the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust was the "only one" that was the "best operator" with the "fully-funded balance sheet" and with "land for the future".
"The only explanation is that this is hostile to religion and we had thought that the minister would've put that aside and accepted despite whatever else she might think that somewhere in there there's a role for religion in caring for the living."