MEMORIAL PARK-Memphis

I want to thank all of my faithful readers for tuning in and sending me comments.  Interestingly, one of my most popular blog entries featured Elmwood Cemetery.  I assumed that it was because it was one of my more obscure and morbid attractions but, fans sent me comments that they have been to Elmwood and love it there. So as everyone seems to like cemeteries, I decided to visit Memorial Park.  Memorial Park was once out in the country but is now conveniently located in my backyard.  Many years ago, friends of mine had professional family portraits taken there because of its beautiful setting.

While Elmwood is a cemetery with in-your-face crypts and tombstones, Memorial Park is much more understated.  Nearly all of the grave markers are flat against the ground, really sanitizing the graveyard experience and also allows for easy lawn care.  Memorial Park is a super upscale resting place; garbage cans are camouflaged in plastic tree- trunk containers.   

While we were there on a Sunday afternoon, a hotel van drove up with some tourists.  The driver said that it was “the best tourist attraction in town”.  Although it is not advertized, there are some notable entertainers buried in Memorial Park.  Isaac Hayes and a member of the Bar-Keys chose this East Memphis location over Elmwood, which is closer to Stax.  Charlie Rich is also buried in Memorial Park. It appears to shake out like this; if a celebrity wants people to visit his/her grave they choose Elmwood, if they want to rest in peace, they choose Memorial Park. 

Memorial Park is on the National Register of Historical Places.  This is because the park’s founder commissioned the Crystal Shrine Grotto.  The inside of this structure resembles a cave with stalactites and crystals hanging from the ceiling.  The “cave” is kept at the constitutionally mandated 60* for all caves in the USA.  The displays in the cave artfully depict different events in Jesus’ life.

For those new to the area, beware, taking a shortcut from Poplar to Yates through the cemetery property will not save you any time.

Recommendation:  Memorial Park is ok for a stroll in the park, but Elmwood reigns as the supreme cemetery experience.