$18.5 million expansion to Christ Cathedral cemetery is ready - OCRegister

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The Diocese of Orange, stewards of the Memorial Gardens since purchasing the Christ Cathedral, is ready to open an $18.5 million expansion to the cemetery.

The project – started in 2018 – more than doubled the space for burials, now allowing 12,000 people to be laid to rest in its 1.58 acres.

• The center piece of new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, will a glass window, shown in in mock-up, showing a rising Jesus Christ. The glass one isnÕt in place yet. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, It has a new sales office and sanctuary, called the Sanctuary of Eternal Life. (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Rector of Christ Cathedral, Fr. Christopher Smith gives an introduction and blessing before an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass.(Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• A bronze statue of Archangel Gabriel is one of three statues of the archangels on display in and near new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, at the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass. (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, during an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Tim Porras (right) leads representatives with Diocese Of Orange Catholic Cemeteries during an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral. Here in the new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, the group pauses under the new bronze statue of Archangel Rafael. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• A statue of Archangel Rafael looks looks down upon visitors to the new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, during an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass. (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• One of the new bronze statues in the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove is that of the Archangel Michael. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, It has a new sales office and sanctuary, called the Sanctuary of Eternal Life. (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Jack Nixon with Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange is reflected in the walls of the new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, during an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass.(Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Kevin Tran and Annabelle Zabala take in the view of the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral near the new sales office. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Monique Nguyen and Margarita Barcenas, representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

• Representatives with the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Orange tour the new mausoleum, Sanctuary of Eternal Life, during an open house for the Memorial Gardens ecumenical cemetery at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The cemetery is now roughly double in size and also features new artwork, such as statues and art glass, (Photo by Michael Goulding)

Interest has been high in the addition, said Associate Director Alma Ochoa. People have already purchased 300 of the 6,400 new spaces; 19 died before the expansion could be completed. Eight of those people have already been buried and the remainder will be moved into the cemetery in July.

The expansion project also adds new artwork, landscaping, a sales office and a large mausoleum, the Sanctuary of Eternal Life. It was funded through sales and operational income, cemetery officials said.

Unlike other cemeteries owned by the Diocese of Orange, Memorial Gardens is ecumenical, meaning that Catholics and non-Catholics alike can be buried there regardless of their connection to the church.

The cemetery opened its gates in 1991, when the landmark was the Crystal Cathedral, home to the congregation led by Robert H. Schuller and his family. In 2012, the Catholic church bought the property in a bankruptcy sale for $57.5 million.

From the beginning, the diocese has committed to keeping the cemetery open and cared for, and honoring people’s final plans.

“We don’t want to separate families in death that were together in life,” Director Michael Wesner said, adding that 30% of its current spots belong to non-Catholics. He also added that all of the diocese’s cemeteries allow non-Catholic family members to be laid to rest beside Catholic relatives.

Robert and Arvella Schuller, founders of Crystal Cathedral, are buried in the Memorial Gardens cemetery as are Marie Callender, philanthropist John Crean and Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger.

Bronze statues of archangels and stained glass art by Elizabeth Devereaux are among the art pieces added.

“Her art works well in our cemeteries because it can be enjoyed in the daytime or nighttime, inside and outside,” Wesner said about Devereaux, who is featured in churches and public buildings nationwide.

New plants have also been carefully selected for the expansion; some of them, including olive trees, have biblical significance. The areas added to the garden were also given names connected to the Catholic faith.

Spots at the cemetery start at $7,000 and can go up to $2 million depending on the type of burial one desires. Most people purchase spots within the $7,000 and $50,000 range, Wesner said.

Members of the public can access the new half of the cemetery starting July 1, the original portions of the cemetery have remained open to visitors during the expansion.

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$18.5 million expansion to Christ Cathedral cemetery is ready - OCRegister
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