Volunteer at Lakewood
Since 1871, Lakewood has been a treasured place for the community to gather and hold space for memorialization, remembrance and reflection, and we are honored when people choose volunteering as a way to get more involved and share their love of Lakewood with our community and families. Lakewood currently offers two volunteer opportunities – our Welcome Team members, who help at Lakewood events, and our Tour Guides, who lead historical tours of our grounds and buildings.
Volunteers at Lakewood get hands-on opportunities to work with visitors at public events, while supporting this local treasure. Time commitments and activities vary by role. More details—including how to apply—are in the expandable sections below.
Welcome Team
To apply, please complete the interest form (link opens in a new tab).
Volunteers are needed to welcome Lakewood visitors to our beautiful grounds and help them connect with our storied history. Most Welcome Team opportunities are during Lakewood events, such as Memorial Day, the Lantern Lighting Celebration, concerts in the Chapel, and more.
Role Description
- Greet visitors and support event check-in
- Help people with parking, directions and related matters
- Assist guests to locate graves or orient themselves using a map of our 250-acre grounds
- Serve as “green team” at our events, keeping them tidy and encouraging sustainable practices
- Hands-on involvement in activities like the Living Memory Tree, and supporting artist activities at events
- And so much more!
Schedule
Welcome Team members primarily have opportunities on weekday evenings and Sundays, from spring through fall. Shifts typically run two to four hours, and volunteers generally sign up for one to five shifts per year. Shifts vary between indoors and outdoors. Accessibility requirements of tasks will be noted on all shift descriptions. Many tasks can be done seated, but we also have tasks available for those who enjoy keeping busy!
For outdoor shifts, a tent and/or seating is provided. Please note: You will not be asked to work in extreme weather conditions (extreme heat, storms, or snow).
Training
Volunteers attend a 2-hour training to receive resources and prepare them for this role. Training happens once a year in spring. The first step for interested volunteers is to fill out the interest form and we will be in touch with details. Thank you!
Tour Guides
Lakewood tour guides engage and educate visitors during 60–90-minute guided tours of the grounds. These tours cover Lakewood’s history, architecture and notable residents, along with local history and cemetery history. Guides also promote and discuss current Lakewood events and sometimes serve as a link connecting visitors to Lakewood staff for help with questions.
Role Description
This unique, flexible volunteer opportunity offers the chance to learn more about local history, connect with the community, and gain unique insights into death, dying, memorialization and the importance of cemeteries as sacred spaces for education and storytelling.
Requirements
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to stand and walk over uneven terrain for extended periods of time while giving tours
- Knowledge of, or ability to learn about, Lakewood’s history, Minnesota history, cemetery history, and/or memorialization preferred
- Previous experience leading tours preferred
Schedule
Tours take place on weekday evenings and Sundays and last about 60 to 90 minutes. Volunteers are required to lead at least 2 tours throughout the year. After training, there will be an optional monthly Wednesday evening drop-in meeting for tour guides.
Tour Guide Training Schedule 2024: Virtual sessions will be recorded if you are not able to make those training dates. In person sessions and orientation are required.
Wednesday, February 28th, 6–7:30 PM – Mandatory Orientation (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 6th, 6–8 PM – Walking Tour Classroom Training (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 13th, 6–8 PM – Trolley Tour Classroom Training (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 20th, 6–8 PM – Art and Architecture Tour Classroom Training (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 27th, 6–8 PM – Mandatory Onsite Walking Tour (At Lakewood)
Wednesday, April 3rd, 6–8 PM – Mandatory Onsite Trolley Tour (At Lakewood)
April 8–12 – Practice walking tours (You will pick your own time, onsite at Lakewood)
April 15–19 – Practice trolley tours (You will pick your own time, onsite at Lakewood)
To apply, please fill out an interest form to describe your background and experience.
Interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities, or have question about becoming a volunteer? Email us at volunteer@lakewoodcemetery.org or call 612-540-5165.
