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Community Celebrations

Memorial Day 2024

May 27 @ 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Lakewood Cemetery
Free and Open to the Public
Purchase Tickets

Join Lakewood on this special day of commemoration to honor and reflect on the service of veterans who fell in the line of duty, while also remembering those who are loved and missed from our own families. This event is free and all are welcome. Check back as the event date gets closer for more information about speakers, music, and offerings.

Memorial Day Ceremony | 10:30-11:30 AM 

Onsite at the Soldier’s Memorial | Free and open to all

We are honored to invite you back to Lakewood’s grounds for this treasured tradition. Seating will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own chairs and blankets, especially if you plan to arrive closer to the start of the ceremony as seats may fill up fast.

Keynote Speaker: Cathy Wurzer

Cathy Wurzer is the host of Morning Edition and Minnesota Now on MPR News. She is also the co-host of Almanac, a weekly public affairs program produced by Twin Cities Public Television for Minnesota’s statewide public television network. She is the founder of the End in Mind Project, a nonprofit organization that takes the universal experience of dying to help people re-imagine what it means to live fully at any stage of life. 

Ceremony Vocalist: T Mychael Rambo

T. Mychael Rambo is a 3-time Regional Emmy Award winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and public speaker; who has made an indelible mark here in the Twin Cities performing principle roles at such theaters as: the Guthrie, Penumbra, Ten Thousand Things, the Ordway, Illusion, Mixed Blood, Park Square, Children’s and Minnesota Opera to name but a few.  Nationally and internationally his stage credits include Carnegie Hall and performances abroad in Africa, Europe and South America. T. Mychael is an accomplished school/community residency artist (with programs like COMPAS and VocalEssence) and affiliate professor in the College of Liberal Arts, Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota. 

Ceremonialist: Mary Vidas

An ordained Celebrant, Life Tribute Professional/Officiant, and Interfaith Clinical Chaplain serving the Minnesota and Twin Cities area, Mary is known for her quality of care, community engagement, and compassionate service. Often called upon to serve our veterans and military families, Mary provides counseling and support to those experiencing grief and trauma, experiencing sudden or difficult loss, or facing critical health and life transitions. Recipient of the Arthur Naftalin Award for Public Service, Mary also works closely with organizations and community groups in designing and officiating inclusive living tributes, dedications, and public celebrations.

Ceremony Band: MN Freedom Band

The Minnesota Freedom Band is a Twin Cities-based, non-profit community band that celebrates and uplifts GLBTQIA+ musicians. We are committed to representing and honoring our communities through quality performances, opportunities to improve musicianship, and building relationships within and among our various communities.

Ceremony Color Guard: Viking Composite Squadron 

The Viking Composite Squadron is a squadron of the Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.  They are comprised of a diverse and remarkable set of individuals bonded together by a common desire to serve their communities, state, and nation.

Historic Memorial Chapel

Experience the historic Memorial Chapel, an architectural gem in the city. Self-guided tour brochures will be available to take with you or view online.

Stone building with domed ceiling

Flower Tent

During Memorial Day weekend, you can purchase fresh floral bouquets for loved ones’ graves. Look for the tent just inside our main gate. You can also find containers for bouquets of fresh flowers and a limited number of small flags along the main road as you enter the cemetery. You may use them free of charge.

Como-Harriet Streetcar

Take a ride on the historic Como-Harriet Streetcar Line and enjoy the scenic views between Lakewood and Lake Harriet ($3 per person, round trip. Children under 3 are free.) The streetcar runs from 9:30am – 8:00pm on Memorial Day.

Trolley Tours

Join us for a free trolley tour of Lakewood’s grounds to learn more about our history, some notable names, what we’re doing today, and more.

Locating a Grave

If you need assistance locating a grave, we have several helpful options:

  • Our website’s burial search feature includes printable maps, as well as GPS directions using Google Maps
  • Visit our administrative building, located near our front gates, where anyone on the Lakewood team can assist
  • Stop by our Information Kiosk, accessed from the lower east side of the administration building
  • Call or email our office in advance for directions. Call 612-822-2171, or email info@lakewoodcemetery.org

Getting to the Event

The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at the Soldiers Memorial. Signs will be posted, you can also click here for GPS directions to the ceremony site (this may differ from the signs.)

Parking | You may park along roads in the cemetery, except where there are “no parking” signs. Traffic in the cemetery on Memorial Day can be heavily congested, especially when entering or exiting the cemetery at the 36th Street & Hennepin Avenue entrance. To avoid traffic congestion, you can also use the 40th Street gate, which is open on Memorial Day. Due to the popularity of this event, we strongly encourage carpooling. A limited number of parking spaces will be available near the ceremony and celebration areas – signs will be posted directing you to the ceremony handicap parking.

Bussing | A bus stop is located right outside of Lakewood at 36th and Hennepin, from there it is approximately a 3/4 mile walk to the ceremony site, or a brief walk to the celebration site.

Biking | Lakewood has one small bike rack near the front gates. Please do not lock bikes to any of our signs or trees. Please use caution when biking through Lakewood on Memorial Day as we see a heavy increase in traffic. We strongly encourage bike riders to park their bike and walk.

Como-Harriet Streetcar | Looking for a fun and exciting way to get to Lakewood for Memorial Day without having to park onsite? Consider taking the Como-Harriet Streetcar! You can park near Lake Harriet station and take the streetcar between the two destinations. Streetcar runs from 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. The streetcar leaves approximately every 15 minutes and costs $3 per person, round trip.

Rain Plan

In the event of strong rain or storms, the ceremony will be moved into the chapel. In the event of heavy storms, the trolley rides and streetcar rides will be cancelled.

Questions? Call (612) 540-5165 or email us at events@lakewoodcemetery.org.

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