August 26, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

By Susan Payne

 For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of Santa Monica, has served the community as one of the few municipally owned cemeteries and mortuaries in the United States.

 For most people, the choice of final resting is incredibly personal, but Woodlawn’s caring and compassionate staff are available to assist you during the most difficult circumstances.

Woodlawn offers traditional burial and green burial plots, crypts, cremation niches and cremation graves. Service options can involve burials, cremations, viewings, funerals, and memorial services.

 “Our caring staff will help you find the most meaningful resting place,” said Adam Lopez, Woodlawn’s Cemetery Administrator.

Much of the services at Woodlawn involves helping family and loved ones recognize and honor those who have passed on. Many look for personal ways to remember their loved ones.

“We invite you to visit this beautiful setting and tour our facilities. We think you will agree that Woodlawn is a pleasant place to rest, reflect and celebrate life,” said Lopez.

 In 2015, Woodlawn was officially designated a Monarch butterfly habitat by Monarch Watch, the leading conservation organization for the endangered butterfly. 2016, Woodlawn became one of the three cemeteries in Southern California to offer green/natural burial upon the addition of Eternal Meadow, designed with beautiful California-native wildflowers, plants and grasses.

 In keeping with the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, Eternal Meadow offers families an eco-friendly burial option. Green burials minimize environmental damage because no toxic chemicals, metals or cement vaults are used. Green burial uses a simple wooden casket or an organic shroud with carrier. Cremated remains are placed in biodegradable urns.

 “Green burials hasten the return of the body to the earth while simultaneously providing nourishment to the plant life around it. It is a meaningful way to honor the life of a loved one,” Lopez said.

 Planning a form of tribute for a loved one is an important step toward healing. If a death has occurred while not under the care of a medical or hospice professional, Woodlawn recommends dialing 911 if police or paramedics are not present. Woodlawn can be reached at 310-458-8717 ext. 1 for arrangements to pick up your loved one and guide you through the funeral planning process. Woodlawn also helps families make pre-planned arrangements for funeral services.

 “Making arrangements, whether preneed or in a time of need can be difficult. Woodlawn’s staff is compassionate, knowledgeable, and respectful, so we can ensure to handle all arrangements in a way to honor loved ones that have passed,” Lopez added.

 “We like to be transparent with our prices. We are required to have our mortuary’s General price List posted on our website, but we decided to go one step further and have a Comprehensive Price List that has all the fees listed for the Cemetery and Mortuary,” Lopez said. Woodlawn lists a general and comprehensive list of prices at www.santamonica.gov/places/cityfacilities/woodlawn-cemetery.

Woodlawn is the final resting place of more than 54,000 people including nationally known persons such as astronaut Sally Ride, cosmetics guru Merle Norman, and political activist and former California State Senator Tom Hayden. Some of the top Hollywood actors resting at Woodlawn include Glenn Ford (Superman, The Big Heat, and The Blackboard Jungle); Irene Ryan (The Beverly Hillbillies); Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show); Barbara Billingsley (Leave It to Beaver); Hal Smith (The Andy Griffith Show); Ted Bessell (That Girl); Doug McClure (The Virginians); and Paul Henreid (Casablanca).

 For more information, visit santamonica. gov or email woodlawn.cemetery@ santamonica.gov.

in News
<>Related Posts

Rally Against SB 79 Draws Crowds in Palisades

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The bill, which advanced through Senate and Assembly committees, faces review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee this week, with a...

Abbot Kinney Festival Canceled for Second Straight Year

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Organizers expressed hope that the additional time will allow them to restructure and deliver a more vibrant event in 2026...

Santa Monica Police Chief Resigns, Deputy Chief Fills Role

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

City Manager Chi praised Batista’s leadership, stating, “His dedication and vision have positively shaped our Police Department.” Santa Monica Police...

Santa Monica to Enforce Bus Lane and Stop Parking With Cameras and Hefty Fines

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

Big Blue Bus Cameras Will Capture Violators Blocking Bus Lanes or Stops Starting Sept. 1, drivers who block bus lanes...

New $21 Million Mediterranean Home Hits Market in Palisades

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

Features include a speakeasy-style bar, a 1,657-bottle refrigerated wine room, a theater, and a wellness wing A newly constructed 10,100-square-foot...

Kanye West’s Former Malibu Beach House Deal Collapses, Property Back on Market

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

Deal for Kanye West’s Former Malibu Home Falls Apart Amid Developer Dispute Months after developers announced a multimillion-dollar sale of...

City of Malibu Issues First Rebuild Permit After January Wildfires

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

Reconstruction Begins in Malibu as First Post-Fire Permit Is Granted Malibu has issued its first rebuild permit since January’s wildfires,...

Beloved Santa Monica Art Gallery to Close Amid Financial Hardships

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

Originally opened in 1987, the gallery was the first tenant in Frank Gehry’s Edgemar building in Santa Monica After nearly...

Frozen Shrimp Recall Expanded to California After Radioactive Contamination Concerns

August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025

Southwind Foods Adds California Shrimp Recall Tied to Possible Cesium-137 Exposure Southwind Foods, LLC is recalling select packages of frozen...

Santa Monica Bowls Club Marks 80th Anniversary

August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025

The club’s green, destroyed by heavy rains in 1982, was rebuilt in 1983 and continues to thrive as a hub...

California and Denmark Sign Partnership to Advance Climate and Technology Goals

August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025

The partnership focuses on achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, strengthening digital and cyber resilience, and promoting innovation California and Denmark...

LAPD Seeks Public’s Help in Finding Two Abducted Children

August 22, 2025

August 22, 2025

Police are urging anyone with information about the children’s whereabouts to contact Lieutenant Ku at the Olympic Division at (213)...

LA General Medical Seeks Help Identifying Patient

August 22, 2025

August 22, 2025

The patient is approximately 56 years old, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 121 pounds, and has black and...

Santa Monica Place Hosts Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing

August 22, 2025

August 22, 2025

No prior dance experience is required, and attendees are encouraged to bring enthusiasm and comfortable shoes Santa Monica Place will...

Coyotes Raise Safety Concerns in Santa Monica: Aggressive Incidents, Illegal Feeding Reported

August 22, 2025

August 22, 2025

Authorities Warn Residents After Cyclists Charged, Incidents Continue Over Three-Week Period Coyote activity continues to raise safety concerns in Santa...