Is there any more dramatic part of funeral traditions than the funeral procession? A line of cars, often snaking a mile or more down the road, following the hearse down a road. Sure, it’s not great if you’re trying to get to work, but it makes you think – whoever’s in that car has brought out so many people to remember them. But the funeral procession is changing with the times, and at Charlotte, NC cemeteries we’ve seen some unique twists. Here’s how people have interpreted the funeral procession at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden.

Matching Cars

Normally funeral processions are people driving their individual cars to follow the hearse, so you’ll see a mix of classic and modern cars. But some parties are taking a more integrated approach, building a funeral procession out of cars of the same color or even design. This is especially common for clients mourning someone who was a fan of classic cars, using a collection of identical vintage vehicles.

Environmentally Friendly Options

A procession of cars a mile long or more is a dramatic and meaningful site, but it also means a lot of exhaust. For clients who are invested in the environment, a procession of electric cars or hybrid cars has the same visual effect without the environmental impact. These cars can be collected from those who own it and join the procession, or arranged through rentals with local companies that lend out electric cars.

A Vintage Ride

Do you want a classic look that will have people talking about the procession for a long time? Local companies like funeral homes often have a fleet of classic cars from decades past that will add a retro flair to a funeral procession. If you want an even more unique option, how about a living tribute? The casket can be placed in a horse-drawn carriage and followed by a procession of people on horseback.

Riding Home

Bicycling is a way of life for many people, and some of our two-wheeled riders have found a way to incorporate that into their funeral procession. While the main vehicle carrying the casket is still usually held in a car, the procession behind it is a team of cyclists able to keep up. This is recommended on less-crowded roads, so if you’re interested in a cycling procession, we recommend a consultation with our staff.

Sending a Message

While a funeral procession is usually a somber occasion, sometimes a family wants to celebrate their loved one in the way they remember them best. That includes celebrating their passions and interests in life, such as a favorite sports team. Cars are often plastered with decals and accessories from those interests. This is also common for decedents who were the member of a professional or military organization

The funeral procession is just the first part of a beautiful and memorable funeral at Charlotte, NC cemeteries. If you’re interested in hosting a farewell at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden, visit us or contact us by phone or on our website to set up a consultation.

A funeral at Matthews, NC cemeteries is a peaceful event on beautiful grounds, which is why many of our clients make regular visits. At Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden, we want this to be a welcoming haven to be close to your loved one. That’s why we’ve made our grounds an ideal location for hosting events where you want to be with loved ones both in this world and beyond it. Here are a few of the events we can host.

Picnics

The most common event we see on our grounds is small gatherings of family members who come to share some food and memories close to their loved ones buried here. Our grounds are kept clean and safe, making them as hospitable a place for a picnic as any park. All you have to bring is a blanket to sit on, the picnic basket, and all the stories you want to share about the person you’re remembering.

Scatterings

If you’ve worked with our cremation services, you know that the memorial planning is largely in your hands. With the ashes safely in a scattering urn, consult us if you’d like to make our grounds their final resting place. Much of the cemetery grounds is ideal for scattering ashes, but the most popular choices are at the lake or in the memorial garden. Even if you don’t have a marker here, this will make our gardens a permanent place for your family to visit if you wish.

Reunions

We’ve had a number of families visit our grounds in larger groups, holding a family reunion on the site where a beloved family member is buried. While these families often also have a larger gathering in a reception hall or restaurant, we’re happy to organize guided tours for groups and have the family gather at our lakeside gazebo. If a large group is visiting, we recommend speaking in advance with our staff to help us accommodate you.

Weddings

A cemetery may be an unconventional setting to host a wedding, but few cemetery grounds are as stunning as ours. If you’ve said goodbye to a family member and can’t imagine getting married without them there, our staff can arrange an on-site wedding at one of our beautiful locations. The gazebo at the lake is a popular choice for gathering, and makes an ideal centerpiece for a unique wedding. Consult with our staff for more information.

In-House Events

Our staff occasionally puts together special events designed to bring our family of guests together to celebrate and remember. One example is our annual Mother’s Day event, where every family receives a carnation for their mother. Light refreshments will be offered, and people can register to receive a gift basket. If you want more information on our events, visit our website regularly to see updates.

Once you lay someone to rest at Matthews, NC cemeteries, we consider you part of our family. Contact Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden for more information on our regular events or to set up a consultation today.

When you walk into the best Huntersville, NC cemeteries, we hope you’re filled with a sense of peace and beauty. At Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, we take our responsibility to your loved one and to families in need seriously, which is why we’ve cultivated a beautiful and inviting atmosphere for our guests here for funerals and visits. In this article, we’ll look at the many features we have on our expansive grounds.

The Memorial Garden

Our memorial garden is the core of our grounds, an expansive and peaceful location filled with flowers left by those visiting their loved ones. This is an ideal place to scatter ashes or to come for a quiet afternoon with those closest to the deceased, to share a picnic and memories of those who are no longer with us. Portable shelters can be set up in the grounds if you want some coverage on a rainy day or during the height of summer.

Pathways

Our memorial gardens and facilities are connected by a network of extended walkways, making it easy to get around. These walkways are covered in towering trees and add a shady, quiet spot for quiet reflection as you walk. The trees can be decorated by flowers, and many are dedicated to a specific person whose family donated them. These walkways are ideal for quiet conversations before returning to the memorial garden.

The Grounds

The majority of our facility is our burial grounds, a large and green map covered in markers bearing the names and details of the departed. As you visit, you’ll see flowers left by fellow guests, and we invite you to leave your own tribute. Many of the areas are ringed by a circle of trees, lending some shade and peacefulness. If you would like help finding a specific marker, please contact our knowledgeable staff.

The Mausoleums

Dramatic black obelisks that mark our grounds, our mausoleums are an ideal location for anyone who prefers an above-ground burial. The mausoleums are individually marked, with each interment spot marked by an inscribed label featuring the name and vital information of the deceased. As with the rest of our facilities, these mausoleums can be visited by loved ones and gifts like flowers can be left behind.

Our Lake

The most dramatic spot in our cemetery, our lake is ringed by a flower garden and features a gazebo ideal for small gatherings. At the center of our lake is a powerful fountain that creates a gorgeous backdrop to any visit. If you’re considering holding an event on our grounds, like a family reunion close to the grave of someone who’s passed on, a lakeside event will provide a perfect backdrop and beautiful pictures.

We hope this virtual tour of our grounds has led you to consider Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden. But if you want to see one of the best Huntersville, NC cemeteries in person, contact us to set up a visit and consultation.

The world is changing, with more people seeking to minimize their impact on the environment and leave a positive footprint. At Charlotte, NC cemeteries, we receive more comments every year about wanting a funeral to take the environment into consideration. Here are some ways our clients are working with us at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden to green the funeral business and benefit the environment.

A Home for Plants

A cemetery is known as a place for wide swaths of green grass dotted by headstones and markers, but we’re taking a different approach. At our memorial gardens, we want our grounds to be covered in natural plant life that is allowed to grow and flourish. Our wide pathways are covered in trees, bushes, and natural flowering plants that need less maintenance than the exclusively grass-based landscapes.

Biodegradable and Recycled Materials

The funeral industry handles a lot of cases, and when we put caskets into the ground we want to have a minimal impact on the environment. That’s why we offer a selection of caskets made from recycled wood, which gives the trees a second life and minimizes the need for logging. For those who choose cremation, we also offer environmentally sound vaults and burial containers if you choose to have the remains buried.

Alternative Gifts

It’s common to send gifts or flowers to the family of the deceased, and while these tokens of appreciation are kind, they can also fill up a house quickly. Many people are eschewing these gifts and making a positive impact by asking their guests to make a donation instead to a chosen charity. While funeral costs and medical charities are common choices, environmental charities benefiting the forest, ocean, or endangered species are gaining in popularity among those who want the service to make a bigger impact.

Alternative Processions

Everyone’s seen a funeral procession passing by, and marveled at the long line of cars celebrating the life of the departed – even if it was making them late for work. But a long line of cars means a long line of emissions, which is why many people are choosing alternative modes of transportation. These can include electric cars, horse-drawn carriages – or even a line of bicyclists if the deceased was a cycling aficionado.

Animal-Friendly Receptions

After laying someone to rest, it’s common for friends and family to gather for a meal and a memorial service. Whether you’re gathering everyone for a formal dinner at a fancy restaurant or adding a simple table of pastries to the reception, it’s increasingly common to go plant-based for the foods. Not only is this an option that’s friendly to many people with restricted diets, but it has a lower carbon footprint and is ideal for animal lovers.

If you’re looking to lay your loved one to rest or preplan a service with a positive environmental impact at Charlotte, NC cemeteries, Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden can help. Visit us today or contact us by phone to set up a consultation.