Calumet Park Funeral Home and Cemetery: A History of Embracing Beauty and Celebrating Life

Since our founding in 1928, Calumet Park Cemetery has been a source of solace and support for those who visit. What began as a 96-acre field has continually expanded through the years, adding new places to worship, areas that commemorate veterans and faiths, and numerous opportunities to personalize and cherish the memories of those you have loved.

Today our cemetery, funeral home, crematory and chapels cater to a diversity of people and cultures. Our beauty, innovation and commitment to service is reflected in our being awarded the 2018 “Cemetery of the year” by American Cemetery & Cremation magazine.

Calumet Park Cemetery and Funeral Home Timeline

Calumet Park Cemetery founded

1928

Calumet Park Cemetery founded

1928

Excavation begins for 5-acre on-site lake

1931

Excavation begins for 5-acre on-site lake

1931

Bell Tower (Singing Tower) installed

1938

Bell Tower (Singing Tower) installed

1938

Cemetery office built

1959

Cemetery office built

1959

Original Community Mausoleum opened

1974

Original Community Mausoleum opened

1974

Veteran Section opened

1978

Veteran Section opened

1978

Crematory opened

1987

Crematory opened

1987

1st addition (North Wing) to Mausoleum Complex added

1987

1st addition (North Wing) to Mausoleum Complex added

1987

West entrance to Calumet Park Cemetery created

1991

West entrance to Calumet Park Cemetery created

1991

Memorial to Flight 4184 dedicated

1995

Memorial to Flight 4184 dedicated

1995

Vietnam Wall that Heals sponsored by Calumet Park (More than 75,000 people attended the ceremony)

2001

Vietnam Wall that Heals sponsored by Calumet Park (More than 75,000 people attended the ceremony)

2001

Infant section re-named Garden of Angels; installation of beautiful flower garden and statue

2002

Infant section re-named Garden of Angels; installation of beautiful flower garden and statue

2002

Obelisk Octagon Niche Bank established

2003

Obelisk Octagon Niche Bank established

2003

Battle of the Bulge Monument erected (in Veteran Section 17)

2003

Battle of the Bulge Monument erected (in Veteran Section 17)

2003

Precious and Life Giving Cross erected (in Greek Section 37)

2003

Precious and Life Giving Cross erected (in Greek Section 37)

2003

Calumet Park Funeral Chapel opened in Merrillville

2004

Calumet Park Funeral Chapel opened in Merrillville

2004

Section 30 opened (Allowing for the erection of approved, unique monuments)

2004

Section 30 opened (Allowing for the erection of approved, unique monuments)

2004

1st annual tree lighting ceremony, with Angel Tree

2005

1st annual tree lighting ceremony, with Angel Tree

2005

Fishing for Memories catch and release program established

2005

Fishing for Memories catch and release program established

2005

Glass front niche bank erected in the original mausoleum

2006

Glass front niche bank erected in the original mausoleum

2006

Back to Nature section opened

2007

Back to Nature section opened

2007

Fountain added to the Meditation Pond

2008

Fountain added to the Meditation Pond

2008

Butterfly Garden with cenotaph erected, along with bronze statue

2009

Butterfly Garden with cenotaph erected, along with bronze statue

2009

Back to Nature Cremation Garden opens

2009

Back to Nature Cremation Garden opens

2009

1st annual live butterfly release

2009

1st annual live butterfly release

2009

Black granite monument section opens, allowing for installation of bronze, flush memorials

2010

Black granite monument section opens, allowing for installation of bronze, flush memorials

2010

Special Veteran Discount Program established providing free grave space, free installation of vet marker, free granite backer for vet marker when needed, generous discounts on funeral services, caskets, opening and closings, and vaults

2010

Special Veteran Discount Program established providing free grave space, free installation of vet marker, free granite backer for vet marker when needed, generous discounts on funeral services, caskets, opening and closings, and vaults

2010

Tree planting program established

2011

Tree planting program established

2011

1st annual fall harvest event, including hayrides, free pumpkins, refreshments and more

2012

1st annual fall harvest event, including hayrides, free pumpkins, refreshments and more

2012

Bronze statue of Kneeling Soldier with Cross added to Veteran Columbarium

2013

Bronze statue of Kneeling Soldier with Cross added to Veteran Columbarium

2013

Joined with Marines on annual Toys For Tots program

2013

Joined with Marines on annual Toys For Tots program

2013

1st annual fireworks during Memorial Day weekend

2013

1st annual fireworks during Memorial Day weekend

2013

1st annual Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony

2014

1st annual Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony

2014

Harley Hearse added and made available for funeral processions

2014

Harley Hearse added and made available for funeral processions

2014

Rendina Funeral Home purchased

2014

Rendina Funeral Home purchased

2014

Calumet Park Funeral Chapel and Crematory opened in Hobart (Previously Kraft Funeral Home)

2016

Calumet Park Funeral Chapel and Crematory opened in Hobart (Previously Kraft Funeral Home)

2016

Gazebo added to shores of Meditation Pond

2016

Gazebo added to shores of Meditation Pond

2016

Meditation Pond Niche Banks and Meditation Pond Waterfall opened

2018

Meditation Pond Niche Banks and Meditation Pond Waterfall opened

2018

Awarded Cemetery of the Year by American Cemetery & Cremation magazine

2018

Awarded Cemetery of the Year by American Cemetery & Cremation magazine

2018

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It's easy to lose yourself in the park's vast beauty and attention to service. There is no place more fitting to honor a loved one.