Resthaven Mortuary & Resthaven Gardens of Memory

A flexible Kansas funeral home

Resthaven Mortuary was built in 1970. The 10,000-square-foot brick building holds a chapel, 5 staterooms and 3 arrangement rooms. The stately chapel is perfect for large ceremonies and the cushioned wooden pews seat up to 180 people comfortably, with our foyer providing overflow if needed. We have a dedicated wall within the chapel to display flowers. An organ is available, as well as a modern audio system for your special music.

Personalized funerals

The Resthaven Mortuary team is experienced at helping families find meaningful ways to customize a funeral service. Personalization can take many forms, from grand elaborate ceremonies to small intimate touches.

For example, we might display a painter's artwork at her memorial service for guests to admire. Or, for a Wichita State University alumnus, we could decorate a reception in black and gold. For a car collector, we can have friends drive a procession of classic cars.

Our welcoming reception space holds up to 80 people, and our caterer can arrange any type of menu, from a breakfast buffet, to a coffee-and-dessert bar, to a sit-down dinner with waiter service. Afterward, leftovers are packed up and either given to the family or donated to a local homeless shelter.

Looking for something a little more elaborate? A celebration of life is a wonderful alternative to a traditional funeral. Designed by a celebrant who spends time getting to know what really made a person happy, a celebration of life can be anything from a high-energy dance party to a relaxed outdoor BBQ. If you can imagine it, we can almost certainly do it.

Cremation services

If you are interested in cremation, we can easily arrange an option best for you or a loved one. Our Resthaven Mortuary team can explain the process and the different memorial and burial options—from a direct cremation without a service or a witness—to a full funeral service before or after the cremation and more. We help you understand this increasingly common choice. If desired, cremated remains may be buried at our Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Lean on us

We are proud to offer exceptional funeral services for Wichita-area families who are planning ahead or who have an immediate need. Please call us when you need us.

History

Hap Bledsoe established Resthaven Gardens of Memory in 1958 in a wheat field on the west side of Wichita, Kansas. Resthaven Mortuary opened on the southwest corner of the cemetery grounds in 1970. The funeral home and cemetery allow you to handle everything from funerals and cremations to burials and other cemetery services at convenient sister locations.

Funeral home renovations

Over the years, Resthaven Mortuary has gone through 2 renovations—once in 2002 and again in 2012—in order to accommodate approximately 500 funerals a year. Expanding viewing rooms, an event room addition, updated furniture and carpeting, and refreshed restrooms are just some of the improvements.

We also built a showcase for our art collection. Our former owner was a collector of bronze and crystal, and the funeral home has many limited-edition Remington statues on display.

Ready to serve future generations

Resthaven Funeral Home and Resthaven Gardens of Memory provide the funeral and cemetery services that today's Wichita families are looking for. The funeral home facility is modern and up to date. The cemetery property spans 119 acres with only about 65 acres currently developed. This ensures plenty of space at Resthaven Gardens of Memory for future generations to come.

Resthaven Gardens of Memory cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory is a Wichita cemetery that sits on 119 acres of vibrant green property. The burial park was designed to be a calm, peaceful space. The entire cemetery has flush-to-the-ground bronze markers, which gives the grounds a park-like atmosphere.

We have a phenomenal watering system with 2 wells, which allows us to irrigate the cemetery in the hot Kansas summers. Our meticulously maintained grounds contain stately trees, lush flowerbeds and a sparkling stream.

The cemetery property also contains many gardens with a main feature to express each garden’s theme. These features include artwork that is known throughout the Midwest. Many of the older gardens focus on a religious theme while the newer gardens include Veterans Garden and Rose Garden.

Impressive cemetery features

Resthaven Gardens of Memory is home to the largest cast-bronze eagle in the United States. This eagle sits in the Garden of Freedom atop a steel beam. The wingspan is an impressive 22 feet.

In the Garden of Christus, there is an 18-foot bronze statue of Jesus Christ with his arms outstretched.

The Christ With Children Garden has a statue made from Italian marble that was taken from the same quarry where Michelangelo mined his marble.

A 30-foot granite arch meant to represent the entrance to heaven spans over the Garden of the Lord’s Prayer.

The public safety officers monument is a tribute to the brave men and women who serve our community. This bronze monument holds plaques engraved with the names of Sedgwick County public safety officers who have died in the line of duty.

Burial, cremation and entombment options

Resthaven Gardens of Memory offers the very best in options and selection for your family’s burial needs. For families who choose entombment, there are 3 outdoor garden mausoleums: Bruce Newton Mausoleum, Freedom Mausoleum and Christus Mausoleum. Named after the man behind the 1st Masonic temple in Kansas, Bruce Newton Mausoleum showcases a bronze statue of George Washington. For families who choose cremation, we have cremation gardens, columbaria and private family estates with granite benches.

The cemetery team is happy to show you around. Please call us if you'd like a guided tour.

We honor veterans

At Resthaven Mortuary and Resthaven Gardens of Memory, we understand the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families. As a Level Three Founding Community Partner with We Honor Veterans, our staff is knowledgeable in the benefits available to veterans and their families. With respect, integrity and dignity, we will walk you through the steps of creating a veteran's memorial service that truly honors the life and sacrifice of your loved one.

Honoring public servants

Resthaven Mortuary and Resthaven Gardens of Memory have a deep respect for the men and women who serve our community. We helped create The Committee of 100, a group of local business leaders who support public safety officers and their families. The committee also includes fire and police chiefs. If a public safety officer is hurt or killed in the line of duty, The Committee of 100 helps support the family financially. The funeral home and cemetery waive costs for a public servant’s funeral.

Largest Memorial Day service in Kansas

Resthaven Mortuary and Resthaven Gardens of Memory support veterans and help bring awareness to veterans causes. As part of that effort, we have hosted the largest Memorial Day service in Kansas for more than 50 years. The event is a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Each year, 1,000-1,500 people gather to experience a flyover with airplanes, bands and honor guards. Previous speakers at the event include the Kansas governor, state senators and even an astronaut. The event is held outdoors on our beautiful cemetery grounds.

We also hosted the traveling Vietnam Wall in 2001 and participate in the Homeless Veterans Burial Program.

Active in the Wichita community

Together, Resthaven Mortuary and Resthaven Gardens of Memory have a tradition of community involvement. In addition to participating in the West Wichita Rotary Club, we volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House to serve meals for families who are visiting Wichita to receive medical treatment for their sick children. Each December, we hold a Christmas Service of Remembrance during which we invite families we’ve served over the past year to enjoy carols and gather with other families.