Santa Cruz Memorial

From the beginning, it has been our goal to support the families of Santa Cruz County through life’s most challenging times. Today, we not only offer opportunities to honor and memorialize loved ones; but to celebrate the small moments, the simple pleasures, of life each and every day. We invite you to discover how we can support you in living, and loving, well.

Santa Cruz Memorial Park has served the community since 1862. It was then that the Santa Cruz Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge purchased a wonderful plot of land that borders the San Lorenzo River, to carry on the tradition of providing dignified funeral ceremonies which began in the English Guilds of long ago. According to legend, a group of caring people assured that orphans and peasants received proper burial. Countrymen thought this quite odd, hence the name “Odd Fellows.”

No matter how many years have passed, we at Santa Cruz Memorial continue to uphold those same values in everything we do. Our community deserves the best funeral services available, and we pledge to provide it.

We have three beautiful locations to serve you.

Mission Chapel: (831) 426-1601
1927 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Reminiscent of the buildings of California’s Mission Period, this location offers a peaceful and serene setting for services. The well-kept surroundings provides ample parking, two private chapels, a traditional Burial Park, the community Mission Mausoleum, columbarium, private family mausoleums, lawn crypts, cremation scattering gardens, and our newest addition, the Mariposa Garden. It is a natural oasis, featuring one of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful ponds and walking gardens, offers a peaceful setting to celebrate the lives of your loved ones.

Oakwood Memorial Chapel: (831) 475-2464
3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, California 95065

In 1908, a group of Protestant ministers who represented twelve local churches founded The Oakwood Cemetery Association and purchased the land for Oakwood Memorial Park which was once part of a Spanish Land Grant. In 1947 the local IOOF Lodge purchased the property from the Association and continued to meticulously maintain it, allowing nature's beauty to flourish. This beautiful location was designed to keep the beauty and tranquility of nature in view. In addition, the Chapel's after service reception area provides a tasteful setting and the convenience of ample parking.

Garden of Memories: (831) 422-6417
850 Abbott Street, Salinas, California 93901

Located in Salinas, Ca., with over 125 years of service to the Salinas Valley, Garden of Memories is the only non-denominational cemetery in Salinas. Since the 1800's, Garden of Memories has provided Salinas area families a quiet, well kept sanctuary to honor and remember those who lie in rest here. Annually, hundreds of people pay their respects to one of America's foremost famous authors, John Steinbeck, by visiting his gravesite, in his family lot, at Garden of Memories.