Memorial Day 2025

The Memorial Day ceremony takes place at Soldiers Memorial, located in Section 24. Signs will be posted directing you to the location.

You may park along roads in the cemetery, except where there are “no parking” signs. Traffic on Memorial Day can be heavily congested, especially at the 36th Street & Hennepin Avenue entrance. To avoid traffic congestion, you can also use the 40th Street gate, which is open for Memorial Day.

Due to the popularity of this event, we strongly encourage carpooling. A limited number of parking spaces will be available near the ceremony. Signs will be posted directing you to handicap parking.

Metro Transit lines 6, 23, and 612 stop directly outside Lakewood’s main gates at 36th and Hennepin. It is approximately a 3/4 mile walk from the gates to the ceremony site.

Lakewood has a small bike rack near the front gates. Please do not lock bikes to signs or trees. Please use caution when biking through Lakewood on Memorial Day as we see a heavy increase in traffic. We strongly encourage bike riders to walk from the front gates to the ceremony site.

Looking for a fun and exciting way to get to Lakewood for Memorial Day without having to park onsite? Consider taking the Como-Harriet Streetcar! You can park near Lake Harriet station and take the streetcar between the two destinations. Streetcar runs from 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM. The streetcar leaves approximately every 15 minutes and costs $3 per person, round trip.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to Lakewood’s historic Memorial Chapel. This reduces seating to about 130 seats on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Yes! We will have folding chairs set up for the ceremony. Please note, the chairs are not in the shade and can get hot on a sunny day. You are welcome to bring your own blankets or chairs as well.

Of course! All ages are welcome to join us on Memorial Day. Please make sure all children have an adult with them, and they do not lean or climb on monuments.

Unfortunately, Lakewood does not allow dogs or other pets. Service animals are permitted.

Yes, you are welcome to bring light snacks and beverages. Please make sure to clean up and not leave any trash on the grounds. Alcohol is not permitted.

Yes, during Memorial Day weekend, you can purchase fresh flower bouquets at a flower tent located directly inside our main gates.

If you bring fresh flower bouquets from elsewhere, find one of our cone-shaped containers to place bouquets on the grounds. (No cost.)

You may also pick up a small flag, free of charge, to place on the grounds. Flags will be available along the main road as you enter the cemetery.

Visit our Welcome Center where anyone on the Lakewood team can assist. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. If the Welcome Center is closed, these resources are also available:

• Our website’s burial search feature includes printable maps, as well as GPS directions using Google Maps.
• Stop by our Information Kiosk, accessed from the lower east side of the administration building.
• Call or email our office in advance for directions. Call 612-822-2171, or email info@lakewoodcemetery.org.

Yes, from noon to 4 PM on Memorial Day, visitors are welcome to explore the beauty of Lakewood’s historic Memorial Chapel, a stunning example of Byzantine-style art and architecture.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us at events@lakewoodcemetery.org or call 612-540-5165.