What's New at Cedar Memorial

What's New

Avenue of Flags at Cedar Memorial: Cedar Memorial is proud to invite you to their Memorial Day Avenue of Flags. More than 1,500 American flags will line the avenues from Sunday morning through Monday evening.; Please join us for our annual Memorial Day program at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 28th.; Lawn chairs are welcome. In the event of rain, the program will be held in the Chapel of Memories. Fresh and silk flower arrangements are available at our on-site flower shop.

Cedar Memorial Announces Swan Cam: They have arrived! On May 11th, Cedar Memorial’s swans, Ruby and Carl, became the proud parents of six cygnets. We encourage everyone to visit and welcome the cygnets; however please DO NOT throw bread as it attracts predators such as raccoons and crows. If you would like to feed the swans, please consider cracked corn or oats.; Cedar Memorial’s grounds crew will not be mowing or trimming around the pond for the next several weeks. The taller grass provides camouflage, and not having anyone venture inside the fence will cause less stress for the new parents.; Live Video Stream & Hatching Video; A happy tradition has gone high-tech. Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery has installed a video camera for the public to view the annual hatching of the cygnets.; The mated pair of mute swans, dubbed Carl and Ruby in honor of the cemetery founders, has produced cygnets every May for the last seven years. Cedar Memorial has been the home to pairs of mute swans since the late 1930’s. Cedar Memorial’s President, C. John Linge, said, “We’re so pleased to be able to share this wonderful experience with a wider audience. We receive many phone calls inquiring when the cygnets will hatch. Now, using a computer everyone will be able to watch the cygnets hatch in real time.”

A Lesson for Linnea: Cedar Memorial’s Music Legacy Program; Cedar Group Publishing’s first release, A Lesson for Linnea is a wonderful short story about love, loss and cremation. Regina Nassif has crafted a beautiful, metaphorical message to help teach children about life, death, and specifically cremation. Having knowledge of what happens when death occurs helps lessen children's fears. How human bodies are cared for after death should be explained to children in a way they can easily understand, which this story accomplishes. The analogy of a snowman melting was chosen because, like the snowman a large portion of the human body is composed of water. Through the gift of warmth, the snowman and Grammie are transformed.; For ordering information, click here.

Certified Celebrant available to all Cedar Memorial Families — Your Voice, Your Choice: Julie Freese, Certified Celebrant; In addition to her training, Julie brings honesty, compassion and a special gift of capturing someone's essence and then telling their story. Julie meets with families in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere to gather a life story. Julie believes every single person is unique. She honors the family and their loved one by incorporating their stories and suggestions, and together they weave a fitting tribute.; Services may be secular or religious. Allowing the family to choose favorite music, poems, readings or family traditions helps the family transform a difficult time into one of comfort and peace.; Nothing can take away the grief,
But we believe a tribute reflecting your
Choices will help ease the pain

Cedar Memorial would like the pleasure of bringing the gift of music from our home to yours.: Supporting the arts through education, volunteerism and donations started with Carl K. and Ruby Linge and continued with Dave and Audrey Linge. Today, giving back to our community is encouraged and woven into the fabric of Cedar Memorial's culture by the example set by John and Dina Linge.; Barbara Elam, Soloist; In Barbara Elam's role as Community Relations Coordinator, she works to promote a heritage that represents a spiritual, emotional and social legacy. Barbara describes music as "food for the soul." She is a well known soloist in Cedar Rapids, having sung for countless functions throughout the years. Her program is fun, flexible and entertaining. She and her accompanist come prepared to entertain for approximately 45 minutes. Group and individual participation is encouraged. Barbara performs uplifting and easy sing along standards and everyone's favorite hymns.; Ms. Barbara S. Elam is a long time resident of Cedar Rapids who has been active in her community while enjoying a variety of employment opportunities.; Barbara was employed for many years as a Loan Officer at Merchants Bank. She also worked for 14 years as a Truant Officer for the Cedar Rapids School system. Ms. Elam was hired by Governor Harold Hughes to develop jobs for the hard to employ. In this capacity she developed numerous jobs at Collins Radio and other local companies.; Ms. Elam has served on many boards and committees. She has served as a United Way coach who worked with businesses and individuals to assist their annual fund raising efforts. For the past eight years Barbara has lent her singing talent as a regular participant at the Follies. Ms. Elam sang the National Anthem at the ESPN Boxing Tournament and continues to sing at weddings, funerals and in various church choirs.; To reserve a performance time, please call Cedar Memorial at (319) 393-8000 and speak to Barbara Elam or Craig Chapman.

Linge Elected to Board of Directors of International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association: Sterling, VA (April 30, 2009) C. John Linge, president and chief executive officer of Cedar Memorial Park and the Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) during its Annual Convention & Exposition, April 20-23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.; With more than 25 years of experience in the cemetery and funeral profession, Linge is responsible for overseeing the activities of 85 fellow associates as they serve more than 1,000 families annually. Cedar Memorial Park manages the largest perpetual care fund in Iowa as well as one of the largest preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts. Linge is a licensed funeral director, a Certified Preplanning Consultant, and a CANA-certified crematory operator.; A third-generation cemeterian, Linge is past president of the Association of Iowa Cemeteries and has served on the Iowa Funeral Directors Association Legislative Committee.; Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization industry. Its membership is composed of more than 7,400 cemeteries, funeral homes, crematories, memorial designers and related businesses worldwide.

Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance Advocacy Award: Audrey Linge-Ovel is being recognized for her community advocacy by the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. She is being awarded the North Corridor Advocate Award posthumously. From her years working with the Cedar Rapids Playtime Poppy Program to her gifting of the Iowa Theatre Building and the Grant Wood Studio, Linge-Ovel spent her lifetime giving back to the greater Cedar Rapids community and the cultural Corridor. Before her death last year, Linge-Ovel worked with her husband, Jerry Ovel, and her children (including John Linge, President of Cedar Memorial) to create the Linge Family Foundation to continue her legacy of charitable giving. The North Corridor Advocate Award is meant to honor a community member/leader who exemplifies passion, commitment, and advocacy to the cultural vitality of the Corridor.