Please reach us at Onesectionatatime@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No, Woodlawn was established as a private for profit cemetery on private property for use by the public. for burials. The current owner is Woodlawn Compton Corporation.
No, the current owner locked the gates before 2017 and did not provide regular access for many years prior to that time.
He authorized the non-profit organization One Section At A Time (OSAAT), its employees and volunteers access to the property in 2020.
Persons wishing to access Woodlawn Memorial Park for the purpose of visiting the gravesites of family or friends may contact OSAAT at (424) 527-3023 or onesectionatatime@gmail.com.
OSAAT is a non profit, volunteer organization established for the purpose of restoring Woodlawn to a place of peace and respect for the over 26,000 people buried within. Once access to Woodlawn was obtained, OSAAT cleared the cemetery of overgrown vegetation, trash and debris and began the cleanup of headstones.
With the approval of the owner, OSAAT began assisting families in locating the gravesites of loved ones buried within. OSAAT volunteer work expanded to prevent the return to the unsightly state. Maintenance work included: mowing, trimming, pest management, tree care and removal of safety hazards such as gopher holes, stumps and in ground flower pots.
OSAAT worked with local organizations to restore historical features within the cemetery (i.e. G.A.R memorial and flagpole and USWV flagpole) and paint fences, gates and signs. Lastly, OSAAT reestablished electric, water and trash services which are completely dependent on the generosity of the public and private donors.
OSAAT is not the legal owner of Woodlawn. OSAAT has no legal responsibility or liability for the closure or lack of access to or maintenance of the cemetery grounds, buildings, headstones, niches, crypts, mausoleum or burial plots. OSAAT has no liability for injury to persons who enter Woodlawn.
1. Yes, for a very short time. All headstones must conform to cemetery/government guidelines. OSAAT requests a donation for headstone installation based on size and depth. Our headstone vendor is Legacyheadstones.com. . .Contact the office personnel BEFORE ordering a headstone.
No, Woodlawn is not licensed to perform interments or disinterments. This includes burials in the ground or mausoleum; the scattering of ashes; or, placement of ashes in crypts or niches. Persons having prepaid interment agreement with Woodlawn, should contact the State Department of Consumer Affairs at the following:
A. State Cemetery and Funeral bureau: (916) 574-7870, or email: cfb@dca.ca.gov
B. State Department of Consumer Affairs: (800) 952-5210
Woodlawn is not ADA compliant. It is a 150 year old cemetery. There are no paths, handrails or seating areas. The ground is uneven and has many obstacles making it difficult for people with visual or walking disabilities.
Since May 2020, no headstones have been relocated within or removed from the cemetery. If you believe your loved one’s headstone is missing, please tell the office personnel. They will look up the burial records to determine if :
A.) a headstone was purchased,
B.) if it was set in place, and
C.) if it was relocated between the years 1871-2017.
OSAAT will NOT replace any missing headstones, please don't ask.
OSAAT is in the process of ensuring every headstone that is present at Woodlawn is photographed.
If you do not know the location your loved ones grave site, you may:
Use your computer or smartphone to look them up at the free website, “Find A Grave”. Enter the last name of the person you are looking for. A list of everyone with that last name buried in Woodlawn will appear. Scroll down until you find your loved one. If no one appears, check the spelling of the name or try a different spelling. (Click Link) https://www.findagrave.com/.../8457/woodlawn-memorial-park
Or simply ask one of the OSAAT volunteers or office personnel to assist you.
Send an email to Familyinfowmp@gmail.com requesting family information, our response time is typically within 2 business days.
Woodlawn is not licensed to disinter the deceased so soil interruption is highly controlled and monitored. It only occurs in the following cases:
A. Placement of a grave marker; at a depth of 3”
B. stabilizing grave markers (standing) and level headstones (flat); involves the addition or leveling of existing dirt
C. Repairing a broken water pipe; pipes are less than 18” deep and care is taken to remain within inches of the existing pipe
D. Removal of dead tree stumps and foliage; after which the resulting depression is filled with dirt
E. Filling gopher holes; dirt is added, no digging is required to do this task.
Woodlawn was left abandoned, unwatered for years and the lawn died. Weeds and crabgrass grew in its place. OSAAT has implemented a program to eliminate lawn pests and gophers. The ground needs to be tilled, seeded, fertilized and watered. The recovery of a lush lawn will take years and is dependent on public donations and Celestina Bishop's generosity.
No, plants or grass of any kind planted by visitors will be immediately removed.
Due to age and fluctuating soil conditions, the in-ground flower pots are rising up creating obstacles and safety hazards for visitors, personnel and equipment. These vases made of metal and encased in cement are being removed. Above ground plastic vases are available for use. They are in the office.