Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens

“Every experience I’ve had with this cemetery has been horrible. First they lost the order for the headstone/bench. It was finally placed a year and a half after my grandfather passed. I never had any feeling of sympathy or empathy from any of the staff, just always trying to dig their hands in our pockets to get as much money out of us as they could even though my grandparents had prepaid for all of their arrangements. I will personally never use them again and will strongly urge everyone I know to avoid this place.”

— Joe Braun

“Our grandparents paid $40K plus for their funeral arrangements in the 1980s. The plot, funeral service, and headstone (in this case a marble bench) were all pre-paid for. Grandpa passed away on October 26, 2021. It took more than a year for the bench to arrive at the cemetery, Apparently the order got “lost”. So after months and months, the bench was finally in place and his ashes were placed. Grandma passed away on July 9, 2024. A beautiful service was held, and it was decided to wait for better weather to place her ashes at the cemetery. The cemetery was contacted, and we were told there was a fee of $1,190 to place the ashes. The bench top had not been sealed, as we knew at some point we would need to place her ashes. So what did this cost cover? The paperwork showed that we had scheduled an appointment, that included a tent and 12 chairs. Apparently, unbeknownst to us, this was a fee for a graveside service. We contacted the cemetery to let them know that was not necessary, nor was it her wishes. They said it was just the normal fee and there was no way around it. Okay, fine. We paid the $1,190. Grandma had told us she wanted their dogs' ashes to be placed one with each of them. So, we had the ashes and were prepared to follow her wishes. Before taking the ashes to the cemetery, we saved a small amount. Our plan was to also take a small amount of Grandpa’s ashes from his urn, so that we could then take both of them and spread their ashes on the beach in Jamaica. We have had so many wonderful trips and memories with them and wanted to place a small bit of them there. So that whenever we return to Jamaica, we would know that they were there with us. We arrived at the cemetery at the appointed time to place Grandma’s and the dogs’ ashes. There was a representative (pastor????). We said that we wanted to place the ashes ourselves. This came as a surprise, even though we had made that clear from the beginning. We explained that we also had the dogs’ ashes that we wanted to place with them. So reinforcements were called (two more employees of the cemetery). They lifted the bench off (which we could have easily done ourselves). The employee struggled with opening the urn within the bench - it took approximately 15 minutes. Once opened, we were able to place Grandmas ashes. We then asked to have them open the urn that contained Grandpa’s ashes. We explained that we were not present when his ashes were originally placed. And that we just wanted to place the dog ashes with him and to take a spoonful of his ashes for the above reason. We were told that this was not possible without having the proper paperwork signed. Okay, we understood and said fine, we can sign whatever is needed in order to prove that we are the next of kin. We were then told that it would actually cost another $1,190 to open his urn. This was shocking. It had never been explained to us that this was their “protocol”. It is absolutely unbelievable. In yet another moment of mourning, when the bench was already opened, we were unable to do anything. Unless we agreed to paying the fee. The fee that seemed absurd even for placing Grandma’s ashes. I guess I never realized what a money making machine a cemetery is. Not only did we pay the original $1,190 dollars to have a bench top lifted by two people, but paid for a graveside service that we did not ask for. And then to find out that it would be an additional fee to open the other urn. Completely unacceptable. We did what we could and walked away. It is astounding to me that the employees did not understand our situation, nor did they show any sympathy or respect. We are deeply disappointed with the “service” and everything that was done during the past years. One would think that if a person pre-paid for their service, cemetery plot, headstone, etc. that the survivors would not have to endure such nonsense.”

— Rebecca Braun

“This place is a mess. Their business processes are sloppy.  Despite that, we purchased several plots in our time of need because the  location is right for us. 6+ months later, we were anxious to have our son's grave marker installed.  We knew it was delivered, (ordered through an outside company), and after 2 weeks of checking for its placement, stopped to inquire about it.  On the walk into the office, I was informed that there is a 5 day SLA to install markers.  It had been 2 weeks at this point.  I was then informed that a 'waiver' had to be signed.  They failed to reach out to me for that.  A week later I was informed that the marker had been placed.  Back to their sloppiness:  the marker is not ground level (I don't believe it will settle to the extent it was installed), it was not placed level, it's lower on one side. They didn't bother to level the ground around it where settlement occurred from the original grave closure. And worse yet, their handling of the marker being installed after rainstorm got mud all over the stone and the bronze marker, and they didn't even have the decency to clean up their own mess. It has been over a week since I brought these things to their attention and I've heard nothing and nothing has been corrected. I cannot recommend this place at all.”

— Michael Bird