The Gardens is a Special Place to Honor and Remember the People You Love.

The Gardens Cemetery  ·  670 Baker Street · Boston, MA  · 617-325-0186

I Love our Families

When I think about all the close family we had the privilege of serving in 2020 who experienced tragic loss during this pandemic, I get emotional and start to tear up. I don't try to make sense of who died, who lived or why; I just pray for them. When I studied pandemics with The International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association back in the early 2000's, they said it's not if we have a pandemic, it's when. I take serious the responsibility of keeping our staff and families safe when visiting The Gardens. With the arrival of the vaccine and cases of the virus dropping, we are hopeful that we will return to our regular routines. However, If you have any questions, I am available most times to talk (617) 325-0186.

Our Leadership Team

FOR WINTER LOVERS

For all you winter lovers, there is still time to visit the cemetery. The cool air is refreshing, tranquil and creates a sense of peace. Remember your winter jacket like Missy! Winter is a great time to make smores with your family or just take a walk in the trails located at The Gardens.

The Pond and 9 Waterfalls Chris Hilton helped clean and the fish survived the winter.

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

St. Patrick's day is a global celebration of the Irish culture that takes place on March 17th. This day is marked by folks wearing green and parades to celebrate this traditional event.

OUTDOOR OFFICE SPACE

Safety continues to be a priority for The Gardens, therefore we created this outdoor meeting space where families can feel comfortable in a heated tent with plenty of fresh air. Families have been enjoying this space after visiting a loved one or meeting with The Gardens Staff.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR The Year of the OX

Happy Chinese New Year - 2021 is a year of the Ox, starting from February 12th, 2021 (Chinese lunar New Year Day) and lasting until January 30th, 2022. It will be a Metal Ox year. At The Gardens Cemetery we wish all our families a healthy and happy new year.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

The new stone wall is completed and double liners installed due to the efforts of our fantastic grounds staff.

We are the only cemetery around that compacts the resting places 6" to 8", loams, seeds and hydroseeds every Spring.

William even lent a hand picking up all the snow stakes. He doesn't just sit in front of the computer.

Trucking out unscreened loam and fill to be processed.

PALM SUNDAY 2021

Please stop by the office to receive your blessed palm the week March 21st for folks who celebrate Palm Sunday on March 28th. For families who celebrate Orthodox Palm Sunday, we will be distributing blessed palms the week of April 18th.

INTERNATIONAL CEMETERY VISIT TO THE GALAPAGOS

Alan recently had the opportunity to visit the cemeteries in the Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. This was a great opportunity to visit with other cemetery professionals and learn their customs and traditions.

Pictures of Alan's visit to the Galapagos

8th ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BIKES

On May 1st, The Gardens Cemetery will be hosting Rolling Thunder® MA 1 in the Annual Blessing of the Bikes. This is an important tradition to wish all riders a safe and fun filled riding season. Prior to the Chaplin blessing the bikes there will be food, singing and a short program.

CemeteryCare™ We have come together with our Leadership Team to design and build personalized Cemetery Software called CemeteryCare™. Our new system seamlessly integrates all aspects of the interaction between the cemetery staff and our families and has a unique mobile version that allows our grounds crew to easily access all the information needed to maintain The Gardens in the most efficient manner.

CemeteryCare Overview

New Maps A plane flew over the Cemetery last November when the leaves were off the trees, with a $1M camera to capture a mega gigabyte photograph which will allow us to map each resting place to within inches of their actual locations with GPS. These maps are built into our CemeteryCare™ using Esri, the world’s leading GIS mapping software.

Memorial Privileges by Garden We have created a memorial privileges booklet with the exact size restrictions for each of the 40 plus Gardens within the Cemetery. It is another tool for our colleagues to use with our families to help make the process of permanent memorialization even easier.

Memorial Privileges Booklet

SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) To consistently provide high quality service to all of our families, we need to have a standard set of steps that everyone can learn and understand. That’s why we have worked hard to create a Standard Operating Procedures Manual. With this manual, we can train to consistently achieve the level of care that we strive for. By utilizing and becoming familiar with the SOP, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind what is the correct thing to do.

GARDENS PLANNING GUIDE

The Gardens Cemetery Planning Guide link

We are excited to announce our new Planning Guide has arrived! Our new Planning Guide explains who we are and the Hospitality and Compassionate & Healing Care that you will receive when you visit.

CONGRATULATIONS WEST NAPOLI

Congratulations to our friends at West Napoli Restaurant for completing their recent renovations. Stop in and check it out and grab a delicious slice of pizza.

Billy's Son Landyn

AN IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE GARDENS AT GETHSEMANE Dear Gardens Family and Friends, The health and safety of our families is a top priority. We are taking recommended precautions to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus in accordance with protocols outlined by the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and the local Department of Public Health. We want you to know that we have developed and implemented a pandemic protocol with the staff in order to help keep everyone safe during this time. Visit when you can and always have a mask with you when outside of your car. Thank you Please note the following: The Gardens will continue to be accessible by the public from dawn till dusk. If you are looking for a loved one, you can find their resting place by going to our website: https://thegardenscemetery.org/looking-for-a-loved-one/. However, if you are feeling sick with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, see your primary care physician and please do not visit the cemetery. Services and Ceremonies will continue. We recommend that only immediate family and close friends attend and no more than 25 people are allowed to gather at one time. If someone is coughing excessively or displaying symptoms of any type of illness, they may be asked to return to their vehicle. Pictures and video are encouraged for sharing with loved ones who could not attend. Please designate 1 person for pictures and/or video. Social distancing at Services– Practice proper social distancing by staying at least 6 feet apart from other people. We will take individual requests for comfort and convenience- our decisions will be made on the health and safety of all attendees. The Welcome Center is open and masks are mandatory inside to protect our staff and families. If you are making arrangements please call to make an appointment. We will conduct business inside or outside on the new patio. We will not be driving families in our cars onto the cemetery grounds; instead you may follow in your own vehicle. Please note that our usual hospitality of coffee and pastry and the use of the family room for gatherings will not be available until further notice. Our Downstairs Restroom is open to the public and disinfected often. Use at your own risk. Sending Flowers: If you send flowers to the office they will be placed at your loved one’s resting place at no cost to you. The Chapel is open if you would like to light a candle for a family member. Please do not venerate the icons. Conversation over the phone is encouraged if you need someone to talk to about a recent loss. Whenever you need us, The Gardens is here to help. (617) 325-0186. Visitors are encouraged to use our online services. Visit www.thegardenscemetery.org to find loved ones, get turn by turn directions to their location, and find general information. The Gardens Cemetery is committed to the health and wellness of all and we hope you and your family stay safe. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us at (617) 325-0186. Caring Forever,

Alan J. MacKinnon CCE, Certified Cemetery Executive President, The Gardens Cemetery

The Gardens Mission is to honor the customs and traditions of our families and recognize these as an important part of healing, to provide exceptional service, and to respect each individual resting place with immaculate care.

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The Gardens Cemetery 670 Baker Street Boston, Massachusetts 02132 phone: 617-325-0186 info@thegardenscemetery.org Visit Our Website