Burial Areas
Burial Areas
Burial areas at the Mesa Cemetery include
Interment Areas and
Cremation
Memorials
Mesa Cemetery opens the new North View area.
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The Mesa Cemetery annouced on March 6, 2013 that 1,400 plots in the new North
View area will be made available for purchase on March 7, 2013. North View
is situated on the north side of the Cemetery and covers two acres.
The Cemetery is divided into four interment sections featuring distinct
landscape characteristics and aesthetics.
Space is no longer available in the Original, Garden or Rolling
Meadows sections.
Heritage Garden Section: Established in 1988, various
shade trees include olive, ficus, ash and pine. Flat grave monuments are
used exclusively in this area.
Infant Sections: Available infant grave sites are
located within the Garden and Heritage Garden section, where flat markers are
used exclusively.
Garden Section:
Landscaping is formal with
uniform
rows of Italian cypress. Flat grave
monuments have been used exclusively in this area.
(This section is sold out.)
Original Section:
Mature plantings of olvie,
Italian
cypress and citrus trees.
This section has a combination of
flat and upright
monuments.
(This section is sold out.)
Rolling Meadow Section:
The landscape of rolling lawn is enhanced
by plantings of various shade trees.
Upright or flat monuments
may be found in this section.
(This section is sold out.)
Some graves in the original areas of the cemetery are now available for
Creamation Burials only. Each grave has specific restrictions, depending
on space limitations. For example, some allow for only one urn instead of
two, or some are in upright marker areas but are only allowed a flat marker.
See the map for general areas, or call the office staff at 480-644-2335
for more details or to schedule an appointment.
Two cremation urns can be buried in a full grave (see interment areas) or the
following are available:
Scattering Garden:
A landscaped section for scattering
cremains on a bed of rocks and covered with gravel, with adjacent areas for
meditation. The scattering garden is located within the Rose Garden, just
north of the Cemetery office. Cremated remains can be scattered by family
members or staff in a common area. There is one common vase for flowers
that is shared by all loved ones. A 6" x 4" plaque can be purchased
through a plaque provider and installed on a granite memorial.
Niche Banks:
An above ground memorial that allows for
two urns per niche. Inside dimension of 11" x 11" x 11". One bronze
plaque and vase per niche is permitted. (Niches on 6th street are sold
out. Plaques can be purchased through a plaque provider. Vases may
be purchased through the Cemetery office.
Urn Garden:
Designated area in the Rose Garden for ground
burial of cremated remains with bronze memorialization. Common vase to be
shared by loved ones.
Ash Lots: Groupings of in-ground spaces for cremated
remains. (This section is full)
History
Cemetery History
Mesa's first small cemetery was established in 1883, following a smallpox
epidemic that claimed the lives of 44 residents. As the community grew,
more space was needed, and in 1891, land was purchased along Center Street north
of Brown Road for this purpose.
The cemetery celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1991 with the
publication of a historic walking tour map, documenting the graves of
individuals who played a key role in Mesa's history. This brochure can be
obtained at the Cemetery office by visitors wishing to tour the grounds.
RAF Fighter Pilots
During World War II, an airbase was constructed in Mesa for the training of
U.S. and British fighter pilots. More than 2,000 pilots were trained at this
airfield, Falcon Field, which today serves as a muncipal airport. Twenty-three
British cadets and one American pilot were killed in air accidents during Falcon
Field's four years as a training facility, and these individuals are buried in a
special section of the Mesa Cemetery.
Located near the center of the Cemetery, the airmen's grave markers include
rank, serial numbers, and the eagle crest of the RAF. A special Memorial
Day service is held annually to commemorate the sacrifice of these individuals.
The service is held on the Sunday before the observed Veteran's Day holiday, at
10:45 am. In addition, a monument in memory of all who served at Falcon
Field was dedicated in 1991 at Falcon Field Park.
Historical Area
To the north of the Cemetery office is a section dedicated to "those persons
unknown buried during the Great Depression". The area reflects on a bleak
period of American history when even permanent memorials were a luxury.
Noted Individuals
Noted individuls buried in the Mesa Cemetery include:
Waylon Jennings - popular country/western singer and
songwriter
John Lee - as Wild West entertainer "Powder River Jack", he
popularized the American folk song "Red River Valley"
Ernesto Miranda - whose 1966 Supreme Court case resulted in
the "Miranda Rule", which requires that law enforcement officials inform
individuls of their rights upon arrest
Daniel W. Jones - the leader of the first expedition party
in 1877 to settle what is now Mesa
Mesa's four "founding fathers" - Charles Crismon, Frances Pomeroy,
Charles Robson and George W. Sirrine, who are memorialized in a statue
at Pioneer Park.
Annual Events
Annual Events
Memorial Day Observation
The Mesa Cemetery hosts a Memorial Day observation each year. From 8am
to 11am, Cemetery staff is available to hand out flags, help visitors locate
gravesites, and provide general assistance.
Please join us at 10am on Monday, May 27th for a Memorial Day
Observance, presented by VFW Mesa Post 1760, Mesa American Legion
Post 26, DAV East Valley Chapter 8, East Valley Masonic High Twelve #765, Mesa
American Legion Post 26 Honor Guard, Marine Corps League.
Royal Air Force Veterans Memorial
A special memorial service for the 24 British RAF and American fighter pilot
trainees who died in training at Mesa's Falcon Field during World War II is held
annually at the Cemetery.
This ceremony is sponsored by the Lion & Unicorn Chapter of the Daughters of
the British Empire in the USA. Over the past four decades, this annual
service has developed into a significant and poignant event. In 1997, it
was attended by Sir Angus Ogilvy, husband of Her Royal Highness Princess
Alexandria, as well as British Consul-General Merrick Baker-Bates.
Annual Holiday Wreath
The Mesa Cemetery provides the opportunity to recognize loved ones with a
decorative fir holiday wreath. The $40 fee includes the wreath, easel,
placement on the grave, and removal after the holidays. Deadline to order
wreaths is October 29. Wreaths will be placed on the graves within the
first two weeks of December.
Complete and return this form by
October 29 to order your Christmas wreath.
Decoration Removal
An extensive holiday decoration removal begins January 15, June 15 and two
weeks after Easter. Throughout the year, Cemetery staff reserve the right
to remove decorations at any time that are deemed unsightly, weathered, or that
interfere with grounds maintenance.