Memorial Day Celebration at Lakewood Cemetery

About the Event

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.

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

Ceremony Vocalist: T Mychael Rambo

Ceremonialist: Mary Vidas

Ceremony Band: MN Freedom Band

Ceremony Color Guard: Viking Composite Squadron

Post-Ceremony Activities

12-4 PM: Welcome Center Activities

The doors to our new Welcome Center are now open and we're ready to serve families and visitors from the new building. While you're there, explore the beautiful new space and surrounding gardens.

Enjoy a free cookie and coffee
Write a postcard to a Veteran
Pick up a ribbon for the Living Memory Tree
Seek assistance with burial searches

12-4 PM: Visit the Historic Memorial Chapel

Explore the beauty of Lakewood's historic Memorial Chapel, a stunning example of Byzantine-style art and architecture.

View the space, brochures available for self-guided visits
Music by David Harland, 12-2 PM
Minnesota Community Sings, 2-3 PM

12-3 PM: Trolley Tours

Queues to board at the Memorial Chapel

Hop aboard for a free 30 to 40-minute guided tour of Lakewood's grounds. Limited spots are available, and seating is first-come, first-served. While we do our best to keep the trolleys on schedule, timing may change.

Trolley tours are scheduled to start at approximately 12 noon, 12:15, 12:30, 1, 1:15, 1:30, 2, 2:15, 2:30 and 3 PM.

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.

9:30 AM-7:30 PM: Como-Harriet Streetcar

Board at the pedestrian gate near Bde Maka Ska

Take a ride on the historic Como-Harriet Streetcar Line and enjoy the scenic views between Lakewood and Lake Harriet. The streetcar leaves approximately every 15 minutes and round-trip tickets are $3 per person. (Children under 3 are free.

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 Welcome Center 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

We want to hear from you if you have an event to share or updates to this event.