When thinking about cemeteries in Los Angeles, one name often stands out: Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Known for its iconic history and cultural significance, it has become a well-known option for traditional burial services.

But for those seeking more flexibility and personalized memorials, it’s worth considering how other options, like Meadow Memorials, can offer something different. In this comparison, we’ll explore the unique offerings of both to help you decide which service best aligns with your family’s needs.

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Features of Meadow Memorials vs. Hollywood Forever

Comparing Hollywood Forever to Meadow

When comparing Hollywood Forever and Meadow, several key differences stand out, especially when it comes to cremation, venue flexibility, pricing, and service personalization:

• Cremation focus: Meadow places a strong emphasis on cremation services, offering packages that streamline the process and prioritize support throughout. Hollywood Forever, while offering cremation, is more focused on traditional burial services and memorialization within its historical grounds.
  
  
• Memorial venues: One of Meadow's advantages is the flexibility in choosing venues. Meadow collaborates with a variety of local venues, allowing families to select meaningful spaces — whether that be a beach, park, or restaurant. In contrast, Hollywood Forever provides a more fixed, iconic setting rooted in its historical location.
  
  
• Pricing transparency: Meadow stands out for its clear and upfront pricing structure, helping families avoid unexpected costs. Hollywood Forever's pricing can vary significantly based on services and additional offerings, making it more challenging to get a full picture upfront.
  
  
• Personalization and service: Meadow takes a hands-on approach to event planning, offering personalized packages that cater to individual preferences. Their team assists with all aspects of memorial planning, while Hollywood Forever offers more traditional service packages with fewer opportunities for customization.

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Meadow's Cremation and Memorial Packages

At Meadow, we offer comprehensive cremation and memorial packages designed to provide families with both simplicity and personalization. Our transparent pricing ensures you know exactly what’s included, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.

Cremation package

Our Meadow Cremation package includes all the essentials for a respectful and dignified cremation. The package covers:

• Support from an experienced funeral director and staff
• 24/7 transportation and care
• Handling of all legal paperwork, including one death certificate and Social Security notification
• Private cremation for individuals under 250 lbs.
• A handmade black walnut urn, with upgrade options available
• Nationwide delivery of remains
  For families seeking an affordable and straightforward cremation, this package is priced at $1,295, with an option to add a one-hour ID viewing for $600.

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Memorial packages

Meadow offers two distinct memorial options that cater to different preferences:

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Chapel Memorial

This traditional package includes a weekday service at one of our partner chapels for up to 90 guests. It comes with an enlarged photo, a floral standing spray, a register book, and use of a microphone and speaker. 

This package starts at $1,970, with optional add-ons like officiants and additional flowers.

Memorial Celebration

For those looking to create a truly memorable event, our signature Memorial Celebration package offers a more personalized weekday service at a beautiful venue, along with a professional event planner to coordinate all aspects of the event. It also features a curated photo slideshow, printed service programs, two vases of flowers, and a register book.

This package starts at $3,900, with options for larger venues, catering, and celebrants.

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Cost efficiency

When compared to Hollywood Forever, Meadow offers greater flexibility and transparency in pricing. While Hollywood Forever’s packages start at higher price points and may include additional fees for memorial services or customizations, Meadow’s straightforward pricing covers all essential services without hidden costs.

Our commitment to affordability ensures that you can create a meaningful service without unexpected financial burdens.

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Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, established in 1899, is one of the oldest and most famous cemeteries in Los Angeles. It is a designated landmark, known for its historical significance and the resting place of many prominent figures from Hollywood's Golden Age, making it both a cultural and memorial site.

This Hollywood funeral home and cremation service provider offers a range of traditional funeral and memorial services, including burials, cremations, and personalized memorials. Their grounds are home to beautifully maintained mausoleums, columbarium centers, and traditional burial plots.

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Cremation options at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever offers a few cremation services tailored to different needs and preferences. Here’s an overview of those options:

• Direct cremation: Starting at $3,200, this is the most affordable option, which includes the funeral director, staff, transfer of the body, and the crematory fee. It does not include services such as visitation, memorials, or state fees.
  
  
• Cremation with memorial service: Starting at $4,750, this package includes a one-hour memorial service in the Main Chapel, along with funeral director services, transfer, and crematory fee. The decedent is not present for this service.
  
  
• Cremation with funeral service: Starting at $6,000, this more comprehensive option includes embalming, dressing, and a one-hour funeral service in the Main Chapel, along with funeral director services, transfer, and crematory fee. Additional costs for a casket, urn, and state fees are not included.
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Memorialization options after cremation: Families can choose from a variety of memorialization options at Hollywood Forever. These include interring ashes in columbarium niches or scattering them in dedicated garden areas.

Personalized memorial sites are also available for permanent placement of urns.

Cost considerations for cremation: Cremation costs vary depending on the chosen service. Direct cremation is the most budget-friendly option, while services with added features, such as memorials or full funerals, significantly increase the total cost.

Additional fees for items like caskets, urns, and death certificates should be factored in as well.

Burial options at Hollywood Forever Cemetery: In addition to cremation, Hollywood Forever offers traditional burial services, with plots available in various sections of the cemetery, including mausoleum spaces. Pricing for these options will require speaking to their sales team.

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Events and gatherings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever is not only a cemetery but also a versatile venue for various memorial services and public gatherings. Its offerings range from traditional funeral services to unique, personalized events that celebrate life in meaningful ways.

• Types of memorial services: Hollywood Forever provides a full spectrum of funeral and memorial services, including direct cremation, cremation with a memorial service, and cremation with a full funeral service. Families can choose to hold a service in the historic Main Chapel, with options to personalize the event through flowers, music, and other meaningful tributes.
  
  
• Availability of non-traditional event spaces: One of Hollywood Forever’s distinctive features is its non-traditional event spaces. Families can choose from outdoor locations, such as gardens, or opt for the historic theater for a unique memorial experience.
  
  
• Public events and cultural significance: Hollywood Forever is known for hosting a variety of public events that contribute to its cultural relevance in Los Angeles. Annual events, such as Dia de los Muertos celebrations, outdoor movie screenings, and concerts, bring the community together and offer unique ways to honor both life and memory.

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Unique Benefits of Meadow Memorials: Local Venue Options

Unlike traditional cemetery-based services, Meadow Memorials offers a wide range of local venues across Los Angeles, giving families the freedom to choose a setting that holds personal significance.

Whether it’s a serene beach for a waterfront ceremony, a lush garden for a nature-inspired gathering, or even a favorite restaurant where fond memories were made, Meadow ensures that the space where you say goodbye feels right for your loved one. This flexibility allows families to create a memorial that truly reflects the personality and values of the person being celebrated.

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Meadow’s Commitment To Transparent Pricing

One of the ways Meadow stands out is through our commitment to fair pricing. Because we do not own or operate a fixed facility, we’re able to pass on significant savings to our clients.

By working closely with a network of local venues, we avoid the overhead costs that can drive up prices at traditional funeral homes like Hollywood Forever. This allows us to offer the same high-quality services at more affordable rates. In addition, our pricing is clear and upfront, with no hidden fees or unexpected costs.

While services at Hollywood Forever can come with variable pricing depending on additional options, Meadow remains transparent from the beginning so that families can focus on what matters most without financial surprises.

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Unreasonable Hospitality: Why Service Matters

At Meadow, we pride ourselves on offering an unparalleled level of personalized attention and care. Our team goes above and beyond to ensure every detail is handled with thoughtfulness and precision, from initial planning to the day of the memorial.

Families often share how much they appreciate our hands-on approach, where a dedicated event planner manages everything from invitations to floral arrangements to technical support.

Meadow’s reputation for exceptional customer care is reflected in the feedback we receive, with testimonials highlighting how supported and cared-for families feel during one of life’s most difficult moments.

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Let Meadow Give You the Personal Attention & Service You Need

We hope this guide helps you in your search for a Los Angeles funeral home that fits your needs. At Meadow, we understand how important it is to honor your loved one in a way that feels personal and meaningful.
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Whether you’re planning a custom memorial event or looking for a cremation service, you can trust that Meadow will always provide you with:

• Local expertise: With Meadow, you’re tapping into a wealth of knowledge about the best venues in L.A. County. Our strong connections with top venues allow us to recommend locations that fit your needs, whether you’re looking for a serene garden, a beachfront view, or a more intimate indoor space.

• Hassle-free planning: Meadow takes care of all the details, so you don’t have to. From venue booking to coordinating logistics, we ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to focus on spending time with loved ones.

• Personalized service: We understand that every family is different. Meadow works closely with you to tailor the venue and service to reflect your loved one’s life and personality, creating a truly unique and meaningful tribute.

• Transparent pricing: With Meadow, there are no hidden fees. Our pricing is clear and upfront, so you’ll know exactly what to expect without any surprises along the way.

• Comprehensive packages: Meadow offers all-inclusive packages that cover everything you need for a well-planned memorial service, from AV equipment to floral arrangements. We make sure no detail is overlooked.
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‍Explore our personalized memorial services.