Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

Funeral chapels to suit every family’s needs

Glen Abbey has three non-denominational chapels and an outdoor pavilion for celebrating a loved one’s life. Each is special in its own way.

The Little Chapel of the Roses is one of our more iconic structures. Built in 1925, the chapel is a replica of Lord Tennyson’s chapel in Somersby, England. This chapel is unique in its beauty and features four walls of stained-glass windows and an indoor living garden. Located in the center of the cemetery, it accommodates approximately 90 guests.

Glen Abbey Memorial Chapel is in our main building on the east side of the cemetery. Spanish-style candelabra illuminate the chapel’s vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams and paneling. Ample natural light streams in during daytime services and provides a beautiful warmth to the space; the chapel’s light blue brick walls set off the dark wood pews. This chapel seats about 150 guests.

The Little Lodge is located by the west entrance of the cemetery and accommodates about 100. This space, which has an outdoor patio, is perfect for memorial services and catered receptions.

For those desiring a more natural and contemporary setting, the Bonita Vista Pavilion is a lovely outdoor space for evening memorial services and receptions.

Celebrating life like no other

Each person’s life is special, and a unique life deserves a unique celebration. Our team specializes in creating one-of-a-kind tributes that celebrate a person’s passions, interests and individuality. We can find inspiration almost anywhere. You name it—dove release, putting green in the chapel, antique cars in the parking lot, customized T-shirts, beach-themed cupcakes, Mardi Gras parade, mariachi band—and we can probably do it.

We are members of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers, offering compassionate care, personalized service and premier benefits and amenities. You can count on us to serve you with the utmost respect, integrity and dignity.

Please call us for any reason. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Glen Abbey Memorial Park cemetery

Far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Diego, Glen Abbey Memorial Park is a tranquil sanctuary. One hundred acres of meticulously manicured gardens, calming water fountains and elegant sculptures create a serene refuge for reflection and remembrance.

To add to its park-like setting, shade-providing trees surround our lovely lake, Lake of Dreams, which is home to geese, turtles and koi fish. Plus, 34 acres of the property are a dedicated bird sanctuary. In a word, Glen Abbey Memorial Park is beautiful.

Many burial choices

The many manicured gardens at Glen Abbey Memorial Park are private and peaceful. A walk down one of our winding paths reveals a range of burial, entombment and cremation memorialization options.

Cemetery property choices include traditional ground burial with flat markers, entombment or niche placement in one of our 3 mausoleums, custom-built private and semiprivate estates, columbaria, cremation benches and scattering gardens.

Cremation has become increasingly popular in California, so we recently added a new area to the Nature Garden dedicated to our cremation families. Winding natural footpaths and a bubbling stone water fountain inspire quiet reflection. Modern in design, the area has columbaria, cremation estates, memorial benches and a scattering garden.

Mausoleum of Impressions

For art lovers, Mausoleum of Impressions is a truly special resting spot. Situated near the Lake of Dreams, the outdoor mausoleum complex stands apart for the impressionist-style art painted on some of the granite crypts. With depictions of ponds and lily pads, the scenes on the crypts are reminiscent of Monet’s “Water Lilies” series.

Prepared for the future

Since the cemetery grounds sit on a mesa, we have stunning views of San Diego and the surrounding areas. When we take in the miles and miles of picturesque scenery, it reminds us that our cemetery is the final resting space for many generations of families who once took in these views too. With plenty of land still left for development, we stand ready to serve many more generations of California families.

Little Chapel of the Roses

Little Chapel of the Roses is one of Glen Abbey’s better-known features. The nonsectarian stone chapel was built in 1925 and is a replica of the Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson's chapel in Somersby, England. Located on a hill in the center of the cemetery, it seats approximately 90 people and features many stained-glass windows, amber skylights and an indoor living garden along both sides of the chapel. A stained-glass window at the back of the chapel depicts "The Resurrection." A circular stained-glass window positioned over the altar illustrates a verse of Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar." The chapel is so unique and beautiful that generations of couples have chosen it as their wedding venue.

Honoring veterans, the military and public servants

Thanks to its many bases and stations, the San Diego area has a large military presence. Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary supports military members, veterans and their families. The funeral home is well-versed in arranging services with military funeral honors for eligible veterans and military members and works with all branches of the U.S. armed services.

Every veteran deserves a proper and dignified burial, no matter his or her financial circumstances. As a participant in the Dignity Memorial® Homeless Veterans Burial Program, Glen Abbey provides free funeral and burial services to homeless and indigent veterans with no family to claim them.

Glen Abbey also recognizes the courageous and selfless men and women who serve as law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel. Through the Dignity Memorial Public Servants Program, Glen Abbey Mortuary offers dignified and honorable tributes, at no cost, for career and volunteer public servants who fall in the line of duty. The program also offers counseling services to family members, as well as the opportunity to create an online tribute as a loving memorial.

Community support and events

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary believes in supporting the community through the excellent work of San Diego’s local organizations. Team members are involved in the Kiwanis Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion of Bonita, Chula Vista Fleet Reserve and South Bay Cruisers.

The funeral home and cemetery also host community events throughout the year. All are invited to attend.

Memorial Day

Close to 300 people attend Glen Abbey’s Memorial Day service in May. Guests are treated to speakers, live music, a vintage car show by the South Bay Cruisers and refreshments. Boy Scouts place American flags on the graves of the 8,000 service members buried at Glen Abbey Memorial Park. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

All Saints Day

On November 1, we celebrate All Saints Day at the memorial park. Priests and deacons from local churches come to the cemetery throughout the day to bless gravesites. More than 800 people visit Glen Abbey Memorial Park on this day; many bring picnics and spend the afternoon with their departed family members.

Candlelight Remembrance Service

No matter your religion, culture or background, the holidays can be a particularly emotional time for families who have lost loved ones. All families are invited to attend Glen Abbey Memorial Park’s non-denominational Candlelight Remembrance Service. The event celebrates the lives of those we’ve lost throughout the year and helps families gain a sense of peace from the healing power of community.

Guests at this festive event are treated to caroling, Santa sightings and kids' crafts. The night ends with a candle lighting and invitation to hang ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance.