Community-minded
Funeral home and cemetery handles many special events
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Friday, May 19, 2006  |
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![[Image]](/content_images/051906_par-07.jpg) |
| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| Judy Siegal explains the services offered at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. |
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ST. PETERSBURG – Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery does more than just handle funerals.
It also provides community activities such as the upcoming Memorial Day celebrations on May 29 that are held annually to honor veterans.
“We will have a fife and drum corps performance, visiting speakers, food and other events that begin at 11 a.m.,” said Judy Siegal, sales director.
The cemetery also offers activities for Mother’s Day, Easter and Christmas, when a holiday tree is decorated with ornaments inscribed with the names of deceased loved ones.
The 104-acre cemetery was created in the 1930s from a field where cows once roamed. It also became the final resting place for local dignitaries, political figures and business leaders who helped build Pinellas County.
“There are many famous people interred here,” Siegal said.
The facility contains two mausoleums, cremation gardens and the “Life of Christ Chapel” that showcases 12 priceless mosaics by the late Earl Gresh who is entombed in a chapel crypt.
“This is a full service facility that handles about 1,000 funerals annually,” Siegal said.
Memorial Park does burials, cremations, funerals and all the entities of death.
One offering is the enduring memories video tribute that allows friends and relatives to add photographs and voice messages on a CD.
“The tribute can play, if so desired, continuously throughout the gathering at a funeral home,” Siegal said. “The three- to five-minute video with voice-overs and background music make an everlasting tribute to the deceased.”
Memorial Park also provides simplicity estate planning of wills, arrangements and other important information.
“We urge families to establish their wishes for funerals ahead of time,” Siegal said. “Pre-arranging saves money and is a comfort during the emotional time immediately after a death.”
The 11,500-square-foot funeral home was built in 1991. It has marbled floors, a non-denominational chapel that accommodates up to 100 people, private family rooms and other attributes.
“We have a full staff of highly-trained staff members to help every way possible,” Siegal said.
The facility is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and to 5 p.m. on weekends. There is someone on call when offices are closed.
People interested in additional information should visit Siegal at 5750 49th St. or call her at 522-8529, ext. 201.
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Article published on Friday, May 19, 2006
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