Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn as a Mosaic of American Culture | Page 16

“We knew that Bigelow Chapel had historically been used
to celebrate life after the fact, so to speak, but we thought
the beauty of the chapel and the grounds of the Cemetery
could be put to better use if everybody was still around to
enjoy it.”
— Richard and Eve (Lambert) Griffin (below),
Bigelow Chapel, October 2009
Mount Auburn is constantly se e king ways to e nhance, improve,
and provide a high level of service excellence to our clients and visitors. This
year we instituted two significant changes as part of our service evolution. First,
we formalized the role of Family Services Coordinator, filled by Tom Johnson,
to provide families at need with a liaison who can compassionately guide them
through the difficult decision process of a funeral, memorial service, memorial
reception, or cremation while providing the option of a customized and personal
service. To date, Tom has arranged for 66 memorial services in our chapels and 7
memorial receptions. The Cemetery Services and Operations team will coordi-
nate and fulfill over 500 service requests this year.
In addition, 2009 marked the first time that Mount Auburn has opened its
chapels and spectacular grounds for wedding ceremonies. Great care was taken
to minimize – if not, eliminate – any potential conflict between memorial and
wedding services. We have successfully hosted four weddings and have two more
scheduled this spring.
photo below and above left by rebecca hansen photography
“We wanted to have our wedding in Cambridge and
looked at many ‘conventional’ locations, but none
offered as much beauty and diversity of setting as
Mount Auburn Cemetery.”
— Wayne and Melissa (Mortensen) Jenski (right),
Bigelow Chapel, September 2009
photo by lisa rigby photography
“Having our wedding here just felt right – it’s
not only our favorite place in our adopted
town, but it also seemed fitting to hold our
wedding in a venue that celebrates the lives
and relationships that made this community
what it is.”
— Kate and Daniel (Cleary) Manne (left),
Auburn Lake, August 2009
14 | Sweet Auburn
photos
Expanded Cemetery Services…
Including Weddings