Desert Memorial Park

I don't usually write reviews, but my experience here deserves to be shared. The condition of this cemetery is beyond neglectful. The grounds are completely overgrown—tall grass, weeds everywhere, and headstones that have sunken so far into the earth they're barely visible. I’ve had to bring my own tools just to clear the weeds around my loved one’s marker and cut the grass myself. It shouldn’t be my responsibility to maintain what is supposed to be a place of respect and rest. To make matters worse, the American flag was removed before Wednesday, even though it was supposed to remain in place until then. That’s incredibly disrespectful, especially to the veterans buried here. It feels like no one is paying attention or taking proper care of this sacred ground. Our loved ones deserve better. This cemetery needs serious attention and accountability. I included a before and after from what I had to do for my sister's headstone.

Took a trip to Palm Springs and discovered that fellow New Jerseyan “Ol Blue Eyes” Frank Sinatra had made his home in Palm Springs for 40 years and is buried here at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City, CA. I went and paid my final respects. He is buried in Plot B-8 easiest to access entering on Ramon Road. Mr. S. was buried in 1998 with a pack of Camel Cigarettes and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s (Black Label was his favorite), plus a roll of Dimes. Rest in peace, Mr. S, not bad for a skinny, poor kid from Hoboken, NJ.

When we purchased my sons plot and casket, we also paid for life long maintenance of his headstone and gravesite. EverYtime I go to visit, it is unkept The hard water deposits have complete cover the stone making it impossible to read and they'd chipped the top of marker with their lawnmower.

I just find this so rude and so totally inconsiderate for people that are here. There’s thousands of people that have loved ones here - for them to impose their loud screaming mariachi while we’re sitting around still grieving the loss of our loved ones and wanting peace and quiet because that’s what you’re supposed to have at the cemetery—you’re supposed to consider all other people and what they’re going through. Why don’t we just make it a damn concert venue then? ITS A CEMETERY!!! Where’s the reverence and decency people??! Unacceptable!

Peaceful. Didn't take me long to find Frank Sinatra just look for flag or flower and Jimmy Van Heusen is on the same lot 1 row before Frank

Very well kept, serene Cemetery. Went to see Frank Sinatra, Sonny Bono and William Asher who was Elizabeth Montgomery's husband when she was on Bewitched.

It has a beautiful view and rest in peace, great Frank Sinatra, your name will be remembered for decades and centuries. I am a great admirer of your work. You were a great music star. Rest in peace, Francis Albert Sinatra.

What a beautiful cemetary (first time I've ever typed that). We paid our respects to Frank Sinatra (and family) and Sonny Bono. Very beautiful area. We even saw a family of coyotes hanging out across the drive from Frank Sinatra's grave. Definitely worth stopping here to remember Old Hollywood and honor other resting souls.

*** Z E R O - S T A R S *** Stephanie don't know WHY your employed at a cemetery where people SHOULD be treated with compassion, respect and professionalism to say the least. You lack customer service and are the epitome of one who comes to work just for a pay check, perhaps it comes from upper management as all the staff is pretty dry and not very forthcoming. Stephanie is VERY proud of being the NASTY, MISERABLE individual she IS. Weighs heavy on her appearance might I add, and she wears it PROUDLY. I say proudly because as we were walking out, which we got up before she was done talking as she was OVERLY rude and condescending. I was saying quite loudly how flippin rude she was and my husband agreed saying, yeah she IS pretty rude. Her being the RUDE female she is, just had to have the last word and said, "sorry you feel that way" in which she should have kept her mouth shut! If you were at all sorry, you would have kept your big mouth shut! I have NEVER been to a cemetery for a meeting regarding services and NO ONE not ONE person introduced themselves and nobody offers any words extending their condolences. She opened the door with a mask on, said our families name and pointed to the hallway?! Us assuming she is in fact Stephanie as she NEVER once introduced herself. We followed her to an office in the back. Mind you throughout the entire meeting she couldn't express MORE how she wasn't getting paid for this, and that she doesn't get a commission for this. Basically, telling us she's doing US the favor, by having to do her dang job! It's VERY clear they want to do the LEAST for the payout they are asking in return. Shame on you all for preying on grieving families who are in a very hard place and have no choice at times. K A R M A has no menu y'all, you WILL get served what you SO DESERVE. Being kind doesn't cost a dime, the fact that Stephanie went out of her way to purposely be a complete condescending jerk baffles me. I have yet to visit a cemetery where we ARE purchasing a plot and the staff hands us a map to go find it ourselves. MOST cemeteries, if not all show you to the designated areas which are available for purchase in a golf cart, cemetery shuttle/van/car. I mean you want US to do YOUR job, and have your hand out for 10, 15, 20 thousand dollars rudely? With absolutely NO compassion for the grieving family YOU are supposed to be servicing and EARN your damn sale! If that's not enough, when purchasing the vases for the plot. They can be purchased at the time of deciding on your plot. However, if they are NOT in stock and are purchased after the day of purchasing your plot you will then be charged an additional $40 on top of the cost of the vase. HOW is it the consumers falut that you have no stock? Its like a set up. We purchased TWO vases and actually wanted the metal ones, BUT they didn't have any in stock! So we offered to pay for them NOW to avoid having to pay the entire amout PLUS and additional $40 and they cant do that?!?! The excuse was we may NOT get them again? Wait, what?? What freakin cemetery doesn't get more vases for plots??? Your a cemetery for christ sake!!! AVOID this place at all cost, go across the street to Forrest Lawn where they'll treat you with kindness, compassion, RESPECT and professionalism. Nobody should have to endure this kind of treatment when going thru the most difficult time in your life...

A basic park in a lovely area. It's not a visually interesting cemetery, but there are some significant residents: Frank Sinatra and Sonny Bono. The park is compact enough that you can find both of them just wandering around.

Recently stopped in here with my friend Art as we reflected on some loved ones no longer with us including his amazing former partner Aaron of 23 years. It's been about 4 years and Art does his best to let the emotions flow as well as think of all the good. Having lost some friends in the past year or so including one fairly recently it was very therapeutic to walk through and did we ever walk lol We visited the Sinatra family, Sonny Bono, Jimmy Van Heusen, Ginny Simms, Josephine Hill, Busby Berkeley and admired all the headstones and treasure, flowers and things left by loved ones as well as fans. I don't believe I've ever seen a memorial park this flat anywhere else. It does make it easy to navigate but also not as celebratory of the life of those who were laid to rest here. The have some gorgeous trees and flowers in places, but very spread out. No big crypts, large headstones, benches or lush decor you might see at all cemeteries in Southern California other than near the entrances and at the main building where you can find maps to navigate around and visit old Hollywood in Cathedral City/Palm Springs adjacent. Very well maintained with entrances/exits off Da Vall Drive and Ramon Rd. Open to all visitors daily from 7am-5pm.

Lyndsey was so very kind and compassionate during our families time of grief and made the process a whole lot easier for us all, my family and I send many thanks to you and all the staff.

I'm not a fan of the flat ground headstones but we stopped by to see a few famous graves. Frank Sinatra and Sonny Bono were on our search and it was pretty easy to navigate and locate the gravesites.

I really don't like flat cemeteries. My parents are in one. The flat cemeteries always feel cold and not at all serene or tranquil. But I realize they have much lower maintenance when you can drive a mower over and not around a lot of different sizes stones. It looked like it was kept neat and tidy.

I hate how this place takes advantage of grieving people. You all need to hire security or someone to patrol the cemetery for idiots who keep stealing flowers and the flower holder cups. You guys should at least offer a less discounted price after charging so much money on a gravesite. all they are is money hungry and it's annoying. Please stop taking advantage of people and have a freaking heart for those who are hurting through this difficult time. Do something about the problem instead of being part of the problem!

I have two family members and numerous friends at this cemetery. It's beautiful, peaceful and well kept. Christmas is my favorite time to visit the cemetery as they don't pick the flowers up every week they let the families decorate the graves and enjoy the holidays with their dearly departed. If you get a chance go by there at night the week before Christmas it's all lit up with the battery powered Christmas lights. You can't go in but you can certainly look over the wall, it's heartwarming.

The final gathering place for Palm Springs' most famous party group - Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Van Heusen, and Jilly Rizzo. It's quiet and peaceful. A visit here gives one time to reflect on what lies in the future for all of us. I love this place! For a complete list of the famous folks residing here check out. http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=cem&FScemeteryid=188858

This is the 2nd time they steal my FLOWERS! I come back to back to see my grandma and cousin at the cemetery to make sure nothing like this happens again! And there you go they stole the flowers once again! It is heartbreaking that someone will do this! The staff is always around and I wonder why they will let someone take the flowers, unfortunate that this happened! And they have a patrol on duty I wonder what the patrol was doing at this time. I don't feel safe leaving my flowers anymore.

If I could give a zero star rating, I would. My mother passed away on Oct. 30th, 2020. Being of the Jewish faith, we needed to have her laid to rest November 1st, which was a Sunday. I spent the entire weekend calling leaving voicemails with no response. The VM said it was monitored and someone would get back with me but no one did. That Monday morning, I was able to get arrangements to lay my mother to rest that afternoon. The staff was very rude and told me they couldn't supply any chairs to sit in due to COVID. I was disgusted and told them my 76 year old father was not able to stand through the ceremony. After arguing they agreed to bring out 3 chairs. Now, I want to hold an unveiling for my mothers stone on Oct. 10th, a Sunday. They tell me they will not provide any services on a Saturday or Sunday due to their lack of staff. I cannot understand this at all. Saturdays and Sundays are not unusual days to hold funerals or other services. Their lack of customer support is awful and if my mother knew they didn't offer services on a weekend, she never would have bought 5 plots here. Buyer beware on this one.

The district manager Kathleen is an extremely rude and insensitive person who lacks compassion and empathy for the very people she serves. I can't believe a person lacking basic people skills and who has no knowledge of cultural awareness and religious awareness, information that is usually taught in an Intro. Death and Dying course, is in her position. The Board needs to reconsider having someone like her work with families--especially given the Covid-19 restrictions, which already make the process so painful. It is clear from other reviewers she is rude and it is also clear she doesn't care! She very rudely accused my family, at the graveside of "inconveniencing" her because of our religious rituals. She stated this after the family pleaded with her for understanding. During a time of extreme loss amid the restrictions she added pain and made the experience traumatic.

We gathered,at the cemetery today, with a group of 100+ family and friends to pay our last regrets to a young man of 18, who's untimely, and tragic death brought us together. I've not had many deaths in my immediate family. Those that have passed, most were cremated. The few that were buried, had short services, and the grounds crew waited for the area to clear, before the grave was sealed. Hispanic culture looks at death in a more earthy way. The young man was flanked by many, many friends and family while his casket was lowered, the casket sealed, along with most of the flowers. Then the top soil was added, the sod replaced and the extra flowers were placed on top. Music was playing, and an offering of Modeo was poured on the grass. I felt very privileged to be witness to the grief of the extended family, and their customs that are more earthy than my sanitized knowledge of death. It was sad, yet joyous.

0 FUCKING STARS Scott is the worse person to deal with and insensitive. It's been three times I've come to visit my grandmother and her flowers, solar lights, and tiny owl ornament is stolen. I have to buy and replace them every week. I had had it this time and went to the office to speak with Scott who rudely shoved the rules and regulations in my face, when I was trying to talk to him about this sensitive situation. I gave him the example that my aunt has the same items up every week as my grandmother and hers never get taken down, and he said AND I QUOTE " WHAT AREA IS YOUR AUNT IN SO I CAN HAVE THW GROUNDSMEN TAKE THEM" and I said thank you for being rude I'm just expressing that I feel my grandmothers headstone area is being targeted because neighbouring gravesites have more extravagant items than she does and they do not get touched. He said I'm not going to argue and shut the door on my face like a coward.

Very plain cemetery compared to larger ones like Rose Hill in the LA area. However it was well kept. Using the information from the internet, I found where Frank Sinatra and Sonny Bono were buried. I did not have to interface with anyone at the cemetery office. Easy to find place.

My dad recently passed. Not even two weeks of mourning his death and The flower thieves stole his rose bush. I was so angry that the following day I searched every graveside to find his rosebush and did not find it. How can people be so disrespectful? I'm wanting to start a graveside neighborhood watch for all those that have suffered the loss of a family member and the now have to deal with this nonsense. From what I've been hearing this is very common.

Part of the staff is helpful the mgr (Kathleen) is rude . I hear they started a pet cemetery that has the same board members as the cemetery which is illegal . Never once are we notified of when a public meeting will be since this is a public cemetery but all the mgr wants to do is overspend funds. Very judge mental of others when they step foot on the grounds . I honestly think forest lawn across the street needs to have their own land so they can earn the business

The manager, Kathleen Jurasky was extremely insensitive and disrespectful during my brother's burial service. She was cold and dismissive when we were explaining our needs in a very painful moment. She treated us as if we didn't matter. She clearly didn't care. I am amazed that she is in a management position at a cemetery. A person in this position should be caring and compassionate. She made a very sad day for us even more painful.

My grandmother is here along with several other friends. It's clean, well kept and quiet. Peaceful.

I concur with the previous reviewer wholeheartedly. Really well kept place. Only a few stars are buried here and you can get a celebrity map outside the office of the cemetery to find them. Frank Sinatra, Busby Berkeley, William Powell & Sonny Bono are buried here along with a few family members of Zsa Zsa Gabor. Really glad we went there.

I'm not sure I understand the pennies on J. Rizzo's grave marker, but in any case the place is well kept and easy to find. Frank and some pals are here, as is Sonny Bono.

Its hard to say youre a fan of a cemetary... but i am because my man is there... Frank. Anytime Im here I have to visit him and pay my respects... if you happen to see a red kiss on his grave you know who its from ; )

On Monday, August 27th, I arrived at the cemetery to place flowers on my mother's grave which is approximately 15 to 20 feet from the street. I was alone at the park. The workers were in a different section far away. I noticed a black four-door sedan pull up about 100 feet from my car. A Hispanic man got out and walked over to a grave several rows in front of me looking down as if he were grieving. I had my car keys in my hand and locked the car. Apparently, while I was placing the flowers my knee hit the key and inadvertently unlocked the car door. 15 minutes later, the black car pulled away at a high-speed. A few minutes later I walked to my car and found my purse was stolen. Again, we were the only two people at the park. Within 20 minutes he used four credit cards at various places in Palm Desert. It's taken two full days to get everything squared away with credit cards, drivers license, house keys, health insurance card... the whole gambit. Most important is that no one in the administration office offered to help me. There was no, "I'm sorry" No, "Are you Ok". No, "Can we call police". Nothing. No cameras. So this is a warning to everyone to be careful and vigilant while at the cemetery. You're on your own and no one in the Administration office has compassion and there is no security whatsoever.

Wish to thank Stephanie and Roger for their kind attentions in handling our friend BJY´s final resting place.