As we gather for Memorial Day, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome on behalf of Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center and Sunset Memorial Park. Memorial Day is a time of deep significance—a day when we come together to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
This day is more than a tradition; it is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance. At Sunset Memorial Park, we recognize the profound importance of providing a place where families can come together to remember not only the heroes who served, but also all loved ones who have left us. It’s here, in the serenity of the cemetery, that we find a peaceful space to honor their memories and share stories that keep their legacies alive. We choose to celebrate Memorial Day here at the cemetery because it stands as a living tribute to the lives that have shaped us. The grounds are filled with stories of courage, love, and devotion—each marker representing a life that has touched others in meaningful ways. By gathering here, we not only pay tribute to those who have served, but also find connection and comfort in community.
Sunset Memorial Park offers a place where memories endure and where we can feel the presence of those we miss most. It's a space to pause, to appreciate, and to come together to honor the past while embracing the present.
This Memorial Day, let us remember the true meaning of the day. Let us honor the sacrifices
More Than Just A Visit
Chief Marketing Officer
E an Darby
Keri Darby
Family Service Advisor
Tammy Hopper
Receptionist
Amelia Haluska
Legacy Advisor
Jan Pasco
Cemetery Operations
nn Lewis
Lead Grounds Keeper
Jaime Contreras
Grounds Keeper
Marc Chenowe
Comfort Dog
Mark Your Calendar
Memorial Day Weekend Savings Now - June 30
Ice Cream Socials
Thursday, June 12 and Thursday, July 10, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Week October 9-15
Holiday Pond Lighting Tuesday, December 2, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Charlie & Flo At The Swan Pond
WINTER TRIBUTE
Our dedicated team of Sunset Memorial Park horticulturists and grounds crew use flowers and plants from our own greenhouse in the landscape to bring healing and comfort to everyone who visits.
To ensure your loved one’s grave or mausoleum space has beautiful flowers all year round, ask about our One Year Flower Program.
Flower Regulations
- Potted plants or baskets are permitted two days before special occasions such as Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries, and will be removed after 5 days.
- For Memorial Day, potted plants and artificial flowers are permitted one week before the holiday and will be removed after 5 days.
- Cut flowers are permitted at any time.
- Winter wreaths and blankets are permitted Nov. 1 - Feb. 1.
- During mowing season, no artificial flowers or other grave decorations, such as shepherd hooks, solar lights or toys are permitted. Spraying, salting, digging or placing gravel around graves is prohibited.
One Year Flower Program
Keri Darby
A Message of Gratitude and Reflection
Dear Families,
As we come together this Memorial Day to honor and remember the loved ones who have passed, I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to you on behalf of everyone at Sunset Memorial Park.
It is truly a privilege to be entrusted with the care of your loved ones' final wishes. We understand how deeply personal and meaningful these decisions are, and we are honored to walk alongside you during such significant moments in life. Your trust in us to provide a place of peace and remembrance is something we hold close to our hearts.
This time of reflection also reminds us of the importance of planning ahead. Pre-arranging cemetery and funeral services is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. It not only ensures that your wishes are clearly understood and honored, but also relieves your loved ones from the emotional and financial stress that often comes with making decisions during times of grief.
By planning ahead, you have the opportunity to create a meaningful tribute that reflects your life, values, and legacy. It also offers peace of mind, knowing that everything is arranged just as you envision it, allowing your family to focus on what matters most—honoring and remembering.
At Sunset Memorial Park and Sunset Funeral Homes, we are here to guide you through every step of the process with care and compassion. Whether you’re considering pre-arranging or simply want to learn more about your options, our team is always available to support you.
This Memorial Day, as we gather to remember those who came before us, let us also reflect on the ways we can ease the path for those we will one day leave behind.
Thank you again for allowing us the honor of serving you and your family.
Keri Darby
The Importance of Burying Cremated Remains
Creating A Lasting Legacy
Cremation has become a widely embraced choice for families, offering both flexibility and a reflection of personal values. Yet, once this path is chosen, a key decision remains: where will a loved one’s cremated remains be laid to rest?
At Sunset Memorial Park, we understand the significance of selecting a permanent final resting place. More than just a physical location, it provides a lasting opportunity for meaningful memorialization and creates a sacred space where family and friends can gather and celebrate a life well lived.
While some families choose to scatter their loved one’s cremated remains, doing so can leave those left behind without a designated place to visit and pay tribute. This often makes it difficult to feel connected to the person who has passed.
An eternal resting space within Sunset Memorial Park not only serves as a focal point for remembrance, but also as a source of comfort and healing. We offer a variety of options tailored to the unique needs of the families we serve:
• Cremation Ground Burial – For those who prefer a traditional approach, cremated remains can be interred in a burial plot with a memorial marker, providing a timeless tribute.
• Private Columbarium’s – Elegant and personal, our distinguished columbariums invite families and friends to pause and remember.
• Cremation Benches – These beautiful tributes combine functionality with memorialization, discreetly holding cremated remains while giving visitors a place to sit.
• Niche Units – Our thoughtfully designed niche walls provide a dignified eternal resting place.
• Scenic Cremation Garden – Located near the swan pond, this new addition offers a picturesque setting among nature.
By choosing a permanent resting place for cremated remains, families preserve a legacy that can be visited and cherished for generations. The staff at Sunset Memorial Park is here to guide you through these decisions and help you find the perfect option to honor your loved one.
Cherished Companions
We share a unique bond with our pets, and they deserve to be remembered with love and respect. For years, the Darby family and the staff at Sunset have heard from families seeking compassionate end-of-life options for their beloved pets. This inspired the creation of Cherished Companions, which offers cremation and a range of selections to honor your pet’s memory.
Located at 3901 N. Vermilion St. in Danville, IL, Sunset’s pet services and crematory are situated on the grounds of Sunset Memorial Park, which includes a dedicated pet section.
Our pet-only crematory features a spacious, viewing area where you can say a final goodbye to your loyal furry, scaly, or feathered companion. Your pet stays in our care throughout the process, with individual cremation always provided—never as a group. Families can choose from a variety of beautifully personalized urns, and in many cases, we’re able to return your pet’s remains to you within 48 hours.
No matter your preferences, we extend seamless services in close coordination with your veterinarian. We’re here for you day or night, whenever you need us. Learn more at our pet services website: www.cherishedcompanionsbysunset.com.
Final Resting Place Options For Your Pet
When the time comes to bid farewell to a beloved pet, choosing a resting place for their remains is a deeply personal decision. The Cherished Companions section at Sunset Memorial Park offers a meaningful way to celebrate your pet’s life in a peaceful setting.
For those considering burial, this area provides individual plots that can be adorned with a bronze grave marker. Whether the memorial displays heartfelt words, a special emblem, or a photo, it will serve as a lasting tribute to the joy your pet brought into your life.
The Cherished Companions section also features an elegant granite niche tower for pets that have been cremated. Each niche offers a dignified space for the urn, with the option to add a customized bronze plaque that reflects your pet’s unique spirit.
Whichever option you choose, one of the greatest comforts of selecting a cemetery for your pet’s final resting place is knowing their memory will be preserved in a carefully maintained space dedicated to remembrance.
Discover ‘The Meadow at Sunset’: Embracing Natural Burial at Sunset Memorial Park
As we approach Memorial Day, a time to honor and remember our loved ones, Sunset Memorial Park invites you to explore a meaningful, environmentally conscious way to say goodbye—our natural burial section, The Meadow at Sunset.
What is Natural Burial?
Natural or green burial is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial, allowing the body to return to the earth organically. This practice minimizes environmental impact by avoiding synthetic embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable materials. Shrouds or caskets made from materials like wicker and bamboo are used for green burials.
Why Choose ‘The Meadow at Sunset’?
The Meadow offers a peaceful place that pays tribute to the departed while providing a reflective space for families to visit. This area embraces natural processes without the intricacies of traditional burial. A loved one’s burial site in The Meadow can be marked with a personalized mahogany gravestone.
Join Us This Memorial Day
Experience the tranquility of The Meadow and learn more about how nature-based burial provides a permanent resting place that harmonizes with the earth. For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Jan Pasco at the Sunset Memorial Park office.
