July 2021

Page A17 JULY 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A Get Our New Urn Catalog Today! Our new line of cremation urns is now available. Contact us today at info@cmc-carrier.com to get your FREE Urn Catalog! Experience the CMC advantage today! – Fast delivery – Personalization (engraving) – Wide variety of products Contact us for more information 1 866 881-7391 info@cmc-carrier.com cmc-carrier.com – Competitive pricing – Best service in the industry AVAILABLE NOW CMC Half-Page Ad-FHC News.indd 1 2021-05-05 3:55 PM View of the Memorial Chapel from the Reflection Pool Continued from Front Page Lakewood Cemetery Continued on Page A19 Lantern Lighting Celebration 250 acres of park-like landscape sits in the heart of city, near the popular lakes district. Initially, the men chose an area that is closer to what is now downtown Minne- apolis, but word got out about the plan and people bought up the land with the hopes of a quick profit. Instead, the cem- etery founders found the beautiful land where the cemetery currently lies. At the time, it was 100 to 125 acres, but eventu- ally grew to the 250 acres it is today. The leaders not only found the perfect loca- tion for Lakewood Cemetery, but helped build modern Minneapolis. Today, Lakewood is home to the city’s historical figures and events, classic art and architecture, a park-like landscape, and people from many cultures and walks of life. “We’ve been recognized as a local treasure and continue to reimagine the role of cemeteries in modern life,” says Chris Makowske , President of Lakewood Cemetery. In looking to the future, the cemetery is focusing on being inviting for new audiences and new generations. Ma- kowske points out that “People ask ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where did I come from?’ They want to know, ‘Who are the important people who helped shape me, and whose shoulders did they stand on to get to that point?’” Lakewood has adopted program- ming and events that help people answer those questions and others they may have. “The cemetery is a bridge. From past to present. From the here and now to the hereafter. We help families find new and meaningful ways to memorialize and re- member,” says Makowske. It’s important to note that all of Lake- wood’s events and activities are open to the public. They encourage individuals, even those without anyone buried at the cemetery, to attend. “You don’t need to have people buried here to participate,” says Makowske. “Public programming has been helpful in spreading the message that Lakewood serves the entire community.” He notes that even with COVID, they’ve had more people walking at the cemetery for exercise or as a way to relax. Makowske points out that you have to go beyond just cemetery operations itself to thrive in the future. “You’ve gotta reach out,” he says. “Many cemeteries have tours about famous inhabitants and to showcase the beauty of the landscape, art, and ar- chitecture, but you should go beyond that into other programs to inspire the public.” “The Learn @ Lakewood educational se- ries teaches people about different ways to honor death and to leave a legacy,” explains Makowske. The goal is to spark conver- sations on topics related to death, dying, and memorialization through workshops and seminars with experts and profession- als. Topics for each seminar vary and in- clude Death Café discussions to end-of- life planning and diverse memorialization traditions and practices. The Lakewood Experience Series is an im- mersive program that helps individuals ex-