Attending a Funeral, Santa Ana Cemetery
The Santa Ana Cemetery is located at the northern edge of the municipality of Santa Ana just south of the city of Orange and in the county of Orange. It is one of three cemeteries owned and administered by the Orange County Cemetery District (the other two are in nearby Anaheim and Lake Forest). The district’s board of trustees strive to provide affordable burial options for Orange County residents. The cemetery is rather large- the size of several city blocks. It is maintained beautifully. The grass-covered, tree-dotted lawn is set off by numerous walkways. Entry points are to be found both from the north (off East Fairhaven Avenue) and from the south (off East Santa Clara Avenue). The address is: 1919 East Santa Clara Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Those seeking help with burial arrangements can go to Orange County Cemetery District’s website for contact information (e-mail and phone numbers are given). Contact the Santa Ana Cemetery manager rather than the general manager. There is also an on-site business office where you can meet with a district representative. Burial sites can be selected and burial rights obtained from a representative. You will normally need to pay cash upfront for the site as well as a payment for the future care of the grave site (the Endowment Care Fund). A relative or authorized person must sign an interment order before a certificate of burial rights can be obtained. You can discuss any issues related to grave stones, inscriptions, etc. with the representative. As to times of service, be aware that there are no burials on the following holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Year’s Day. Also be aware that there is an extra charge if the burial occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or certain holidays, and that three days notice are required in such instances. As to time of day, all burials occur between nine a. m. and two p.m.
If planning to attend a funeral scheduled at Santa Ana Cemetery, you should know that you can access burial service dates and times online and that once you arrive there will be colored arrows to direct you to the grave site. Also be careful to follow cemetery rules. For example, pets must keep off the grassy areas and be leashed, and pictures and video cameras can only be used after obtaining a permit. If bringing flowers or other grave decorations, you should know that all decorations are removed every Wednesday (except on certain holidays).
<>Those interested in the cemetery’s historical significance will desire to read the new booklet by Patricia Boardman of the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society entitled “A Walk to Remember.” It can be purchased for $10 on-site or downloaded for free from the website. The booklet provides a map and 75 short biographies of early pioneers of Orange County buried at the cemetery, along with a few photographs. A guided foot tour of the cemetery by the same society will occur on October 22nd beginning at adjacent Fairhaven Memorial Park. It will go over names mentioned in the booklet. The Santa Ana Cemetery is more than a century old and is of great historical interest. For more information on Santa Ana Cemetery Ca, contact Richard Rapozo at American Headstones (949) 235-3881 or email richardrapozo@yahoo.com.
Article written by Richard Rapozo of American Headstones
