Helping families since 1922
Toledo Memorial Park was founded June 5, 1922, a time when memories of World War I were very vivid. The cemetery started along the east boundary of the Tenmile creek, a watershed that flows into the Ottawa River, and the approximate burial place of the co-founder of Sylvania, General David White.
On June 26, 1922, when the first spade of earth was turned the cemetery was made up of just fifty-four acres. Today, after more than 100 years, the cemetery encompasses 380 acres, including 147 in the state of Michigan. Toledo Memorial Park is a full-service cemetery with more than 89,000 burials. The grounds consist of four mausoleums featuring chapels, on-site cremation services in Toledo, and various burial options for individual preferences.
“Visitors come from many miles away to see the majestic lakes, flowering plants, and more than twenty-five varieties of blooming trees. The Park is also home to hundreds of birds, snapping turtles, deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife.”
Toledo Memorial Park is a 501(c)(13) not-for-profit organization and is non-denominational. The cemetery is maintained with funds from several investment trusts, specifically intended to take proper care of the structures and grounds. The cemetery was conceived as a special memorial to those who dedicated their services in the United States military branches. Today, a veteran’s section is available to any veteran who has served. The sea of flags on Memorial Day is truly a moving experience, honoring the more than 14,000 veterans laid to rest in the Park. The central feature of the cemetery is the Veterans Memorial Tower. Erected in 1929 out of limestone bricks, the tower stands eighty-five feet tall. North of the tower is a 400-foot-long formal reflection pool which leads to Swan Lake Mausoleum. Designed in the style of art deco, the mausoleum includes several semi-private rooms and alcoves. It was expanded twice creating space for 2,000 crypt and niche compartments. The chapel features “The Lord Is My Shepherd” and various other stained-glass windows throughout.
Over the years, Toledo Memorial Park has worked hard to keep up with the needs of the community through the addition of contemporary granite-faced mausoleums, lakes, special estate lots, and cremation-specific areas. Among the additions, Acacia Lake, a magnificent manmade 600-foot-long spring fed lake was developed and excavated by the cemetery’s staff in 1965. The present-day office building was erected in 1976 in celebration of United States bicentennial. The building replaced the farmhouse residence, a Sylvania landmark. Unfortunately, termites destroyed the under-pinning making it impossible to preserve or restore.
Even pet memorial is available at Toledo Memorial Park. In 2014 the park added a six- and half-acre pet cemetery named Reflections Garden. Beautiful trees and meadows serve as a location and backdrop for your pet’s final resting place.
In 2016 the park raised the 911 First Responders Memorial. This uniquely beautiful area of the cemetery is specially designed for police, firefighters, EMS, and emergency room doctors and nurses. The cornerstone is an awe-inspiring surviving beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The memorial serves as a symbol of the commitment and sacrifice of our dedicated first responders.
Outside of funeral services, visitors come from many miles away to see the majestic lakes, flowering plants, and more than twenty-five varieties of blooming trees. The park is also home to hundreds of birds, snapping turtles, deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife. More than 5,000 tulips make their spring debut every May; and throughout the summer a rainbow of plants paint the landscape with myriad colors and textures.
There is always something new at Toledo Memorial Park. The cemetery continues to stand the test of time and looks to the future with classic and bold ideas.