By Joseph Thomas
September 17, 2024
Memorial Park Cemetery will conduct a ceremony Thursday marking 100 years as a vast and scenic place in the heart of East Memphis where generations of people have come to mourn, contemplate and reflect.
The ceremony at 8 a.m. will feature thoughts on the cemetery’s legacy from former local funeral director and current state senator Brent Taylor as well as representatives from the Memphis City Council, Mayor Paul Young’s office, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the Memorial Park staff.
“This place really is for everyone,” said Michael Gramling, funeral home manager at Memorial Park. “We serve people from all religious and cultural backgrounds. That is something we are very proud of.”
Memorial Park was founded by E.C. Hinds in 1924, a former life insurance salesman, following a visit to Forest Lawn in Glendale, California—one of the first cemeteries of its kind where art and beauty overshadow death and sadness. It was a place where people could visit not only to bury loved ones but to enjoy the tranquility of nature, and Hinds hoped to bring that same idea to Memphis, according to Memorial Park’s website.
The cemetery grounds feature more than 100 acres in the heart of East Memphis along with burial and cremation places. Visitors will also find stately trees, flowers, park benches, fountains, ponds and most notably the Crystal Shrine Grotto, a cave inspired by the work of artist Dionicio Rodriguez. In 1935, Hinds commissioned Rodriguez to produce artwork for the Grotto which would become the focal point of the cemetery and ultimately become a state-recognized historic site.
Memorial Park, however, is more than just a cemetery. Hinds’ vision from the beginning was for his venture to be bright and peaceful rather sad and gloomy. The interaction with its surrounding community is important to the cemetery staff who are proud to benefit the Memphis community in a variety of ways.
“Memorial Park is privileged to serve the Memphis community for the past 100 years,” Gramling said. “It also happens to be a great place to work.”
As the city of Memphis grew up around the park over the decades, it took on significance as a respite from the urban environment. Over the years, the property has become a neighborhood park where people come to relax, jog and enjoy nature—fulfilling its founder’s vision.
Natalie Thomas, a local educator, has long admired Memorial Park Cemetery even before living in Memphis.
“Our hometown is about two hours from here, but I have been familiar with Memorial Park for a long time,” Thomas said. “My husband’s family is in funeral services, so I’ve been around the business for years. Memorial Park has been a standard of what a cemetery should be for as long as I’ve known.”
Thomas teaches at nearby Lausanne Collegiate School and enjoys her school’s proximity to a place like Memorial Park.
“Sometimes I’ll drive by after work or when I’m in the area just to see it. It’s so big that it seems like there’s always something I’ve never noticed before.”