Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum — Local services in Leyden Township

I am genuinely astonished at how my family was treated today at Elmwood Cemetery’s Orthodox Church. Today is the one-year anniversary of Yiayia’s passing. We were there last year for her funeral, and in 2017 for my Aunts.

Today we went for the 9:30 AM mass to celebrate her memorial, and when I went up for a communion, as a Greek Orthodox, I was questioned if I was Orthodox, which I find to be normal. This didn’t concern me.

The priest then came back out a moment later, in the middle of mass, to scold me in front of 30 people asking again if I was orthodox and saying that I was doing my cross the wrong way. I was not doing it the incorrect way, I was raised Orthodox and know very well how to do my cross (right shoulder to left). I’m still in shock over being gaslit by a priest. He did not want to hear anything I had to say, he only wanted to scold me, and then my mother.

He scolded my own mother, whose mother we were there to memorialize, and said that she raised me wrong and that she should be ashamed for having tattoos. When she told him how inappropriate this was and that if he had something to say to me, he could pull me in private after mass to discuss, in which he put his hand in her face and said “stop”.

He then proceeded to tell my cousin, who’s late husband was a Greek Orthodox priest that baptized me, Father George, that it’s her fault I turned out this way. All of us, again, are born and raised Greek Orthodox. I am astonished by the way that were treated today and I will never attend this church, or the other church in Schiller Park, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

The priest apologized to my mother with a quick “sorry about today”, and then walked away once we finished praying for my Yiayia. I’m so disappointed that a day meant to remember one of the most important people of my life turn into an embarrassing, frustrating situation that has now overwhelmed my...

There are some places I go where I my focus is internal. Personal. Historical. Reflective. Meditative. I know Greek-Americans have been interred here for generations. When I see the names. The dates. It brings it all home. Dear friends, close and extended family. Walking on its grounds takes me back. Like a time machine. Early childhood. Late teens. I see through those eyes. Seeing their names stirs memories. Images of those I vaguely remember suddenly more clear. Those I will never forget, more close. Fragments of films from deep in my mind's vault. There is a reflecting pond, some trees, near where I pay my respects. There are those who leave items not consistent with what is permitted. It is less a matter of rule breaking than a violation of the decorum, the solemnity & reverence befitting the honored dead and the place itself. This is also not a place to be discarding empty containers or candy wrappers. Some acts border on desecration. This is hallowed ground. It is never a wise idea to disrespect the dead. Think of it as a personal sanctity. The grounds are generally well maintained. Some places never manicured enough for my taste, but that is personal. I have never had a problem with staff providing directions and information. I love that there are many pine trees, cones scattered on the ground. The pine cone a symbol of eternal life. A reminder it does not end here when we shed our...

I called Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove,Illinois in hopes of burying my cousin Diana next to her father. I spoke with Raul Rodriguez and explained my unusual situation. My cousin had passed away with no immediate family and no direction on her burial. I was fortunate to find her father was buried at Elmwood cemetery. After talking with Raul he immediately got to work on locating Diana’s father and began the process for her funeral.. There was additional paperwork and phone calls because she passed away in another state, was already cremated and she had a conservator who was also involved in this process. Raul took care of everything. He was compassionate and very patient. He explained everything to me in detail and helped me find the correct Urn to bury Diana. The day of the funeral Raul had everything ready. Raul stood with me as I read my Bible verse and said good bye. Raul exceeded my expectations and I am very grateful to him .He also gave me a tour of the grounds and the history of Elmwood. Thank you Raul for your kindness and all your efforts. Forever Grateful from...