El Toro Memorial Park, is a cemetery tucked back off of Trabuco Road. This is a somewhat small but not too small cemetery in Lake Forest. I've been here many times visiting my relatives who have passed away. The chapel is right as you enter the high gates. The cemetery, is very well kept, clean, beautiful and quiet. In the last several years they've remodeled and cleaned up the public restroom. I haven't been in the small chapel so I can't speak to that. I also can't speak to the cost of having family buried here since I married into the family, but knowing them, this is probably a financially cost effective place to bury a loved one, while still being in a beautiful location. Not bashing, they're just good about being conscious of cost without compromising on their money's worth. The cemetery is surrounded by a park at the back end, apartments one side, houses on another, and a Catholic Church. This place has nice hills of green grass. They don't have a lot of upright headstones and it likely changed to in-ground headstones only after a certain year, because you don't see anything but very old ones standing erect. There are a good amount of trees, however, I wish they actually had more, particularly the very back end where it is flat and sits below a park. That area sits under full sun and visiting our loved ones back there can get super hot without relief. Many people have picnics and spend the day with their loved ones. You'll always see a lot of flowers laid out by the many visitors. I like this cemetery because it's not too big. It feels more homey and comfortable, much better than a large cemetery such as Forrest Lawn. I think you would like this place for a loved one if you ever had to bury them here. It really is quite peaceful. read more

I wish this was an exaggeration but unfortunately it no longer is. Every single time that I visit my loved one the groundskeeper men, the ones that watch the lawn are always staring. I show up and then suddenly 2-3 appear or they're just always around making it incredibly hard to find some quiet time while grieving. I understand there's constant work to be done but it's always groups of them just staring too I think once I saw one taking pictures of me then he pretended to take a video of the whole area as a coverup. I can no longer enjoy coming to visit and being flowers to my beloved family member in fact as I write this review 2 of them are staring at me as I cry and bothering me with all their landscaping equipment. Can you at least encourage them to stay as far away as they can and to be careful and mindful of those who spent so much money to bury their loved one in what should be a peaceful CEMETERY? Or at least hire some men that aren't creeps and are professional. *update another one has joined the group and he was also staring at another young lady as well before parking his loud truck next to me. With this many landscapers how does the grass always seem to be dying on so many headstones still? read more

I've lost trust in this place! Everyone is very rude here and rush you through the process. Over the phone the secretary was pushy and rude. The lady that took us to find a site rushed us to pick a site and was also very weird about talking about the nicer site locations and probability, a lot of questions seemed to be ignored. The grounds keepers stare at you non stop, Especially while they wait to bury your loved one. The gardeners also made sure to ruin my peace and grieving one day by starting the loud lawn mower right next to us spitting grass and dirt all over me, I was there less than 5 minutes, why would they do that? Please Lake Forest do something about this nonsense. Teach your gardener how to respect people visiting their loved ones grave, it's common decency, which is something these guys lack! They had a mile of lawn to mow and they started right next to us to ruin our day. This place needs to do better! read more

Please be very careful about leaving personal items here. This past Christmas was my first without my mom, who passed away suddenly at just 59 years old. I'm still very young and grieving deeply. My mom won't be there for my graduation, wedding, or future children so visiting her grave and decorating it means everything to me. I placed special decorations at her site and when someone was buried next to her, her things were carelessly thrown aside. Most of them were even broken. There was no reason for them to be handled so roughly. The staff could have contacted me and I would have come to remove them myself. When I raised the issue, the staff initially denied responsibility and claimed it couldn't have been their maintenance team. However, it WAS them. They later admitted to it and apologized but the damage had already been done. What hurt the most was the way they dismissed my concerns and made excuses instead of listening and acknowledging their error. I even spoke to the manager, Bud, who again made excuses instead of showing any compassion. He said he would speak to his team but based on his attitude I honestly doubt any meaningful conversation happened. Sadly, the same thing happened again. Last week, there was no scheduled full clean-up but some new decorations I had placed on the 4th of July disappeared. I called to ask if there had been a clean-up and they confirmed there hadn't. Their only response was that "maybe someone stole them." That kind of dismissal is incredibly insensitive. Every time I call the receptionist or whoever answers is immediately defensive and unhelpful. There's just complete lack of empathy and accountability. Please please just be cautious about leaving decorations or personal items. If something is damaged or goes missing, the staff likely won't show much sympathy or concern. read more

* updated Staff if friendly the grounds are well kept. We are in the back in front of the garden which is a public space but apparently people claim section to be their own even tho it looks weedy and overgrown which is where we placed a cross and some things for my son. One time those things were removed and flung behind the garden the second time they were removed completely. Not by fault of cemetery but it's disgusting how people can't respect a grieving family as if no one else matters. The cemetery was helpful and found our sons things the first time but we had no luck the second time. If you don't want to make yourself upset just don't put things in a public garden that belongs to everyone because some people think it's only theirs. A grieving mom :( read more

El Toro Memorial Park - Before everything was removed by mistake - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Lake Forest, California

And from my observations, this location lets people celebrate the passing of their loved ones, and also grieve the passing of their loved ones, In very respectful ways. For example I've seen people have picnics here, there are lots of flowers for celebrations of life there. They also have that statue, something around Christmas time they do A gathering for children that have passed on. I'm probably getting this wrong. But it's written on the statue. It's all very well done. Hopefully someone will give commentary this too. read more

El Toro Memorial Park - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Crowded and no room for more bodies, it seems. Customer service was lacking. Parking was okay, but if you have a large party, maybe not. read more

See all

My dad and I went here in response to a posting on a birdwatching site that said a particular bird was hanging out here. We wanted to see it, so we drove over, armed with only an address, thinking we were going to a city or regional park. But we were surprised, and thought we were lost, when it turned out to be a Memorial park, a.k.a. cemetery. We drove in anyway. There were so many people decorating with fresh flowers for Dia de Los Muertos, the orange marigolds and zinnias were spectacular against the green lawn and they smelled so wonderful. There were also a lot of white rose arrangements, and some flags going up for Veterans Day. Despite the fact it wasn't exactly where we were expecting to end up at that time, we were very impressed. We drove around, slowly and respectfully, and we never did see our bird, but we enjoyed the park. We both agreed that it would be a lovely place for someone to end their days at. Just not us, yet. read more

Beautiful service was done for Veterans Day. Speaker was a DAR (Daughters of American Revolution). Lake Forest Mayor was also represent. A handful of vets was honored. Beautiful ceremony! There are many American Flags decorating the cemetery as well. There were alsomemoriabia. I met a lady that was wearing an official nurses outfit that belonged to Mary Jane Christmas that was a volunteer nurse. She had a wealth of knowledge and was very passionate about American History. read more

See all

Cemetery Staff: "you're not the only one.." Me: True, but that's my only mom and all these people here who are grieving, it's THEIR loss - for you people, it's just a body in the ground and cash in your pockets. You've been here way too long, to be that cold and calus towards someone's grieving & sadness, lady. (Consider some training for your staff, Mr. Bud, tManager) I've buried both parents here and was setting up a plot for myself...until today. My experience with the staff from the Office to the Groundkeepers/Maintenance was horrid. My mother's headstone was backlogged due to Covid (like so many) and knew it would be delayed in getting it installed. TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE. The issue is: I called to asked if I could be onsite when it is installed - a process of finalizing my grieving & closure since we didnt have that. I was to video the installation for family Members since they could not be here. It was ok'd, however they would not know when. (Understood) I was told other things took priority 1)burials 2)maintenance 3)in between cutting grass, they throw down headstones as they can get to them.OK. I was promised a call back that day - no call back. The following morning I called & was told they'd install it at noon. I asked why didn't you call me back yesterday - knowing I have over 2 hour drive to the cemetery. He said, i just got busy, I was gonna call you today. I jumped in the car immediately drive over 2 hours to be there for the install. I arrived (before noon) to find they already installed moms headstone & missed the process. the responses received included, but not limited to: - I don't know what to tell you - they (maintenance) just do it when they can/want ***my point, had I received a call back the day before as promised, I would have been on site that morning, just in case they change times) -we're all busy here - you just need to calm down - well there's nothing we can do for you (said laissez faire) because there was another potential client in line - more $$$$ - are you just mad that we took flowers from the graveside (Matt the Maintenance) - Nope, Im just devastated that you robbed me of my chance to bring closure to the grief of losing my mom It was a simple request for that 10 minutes to be close by when they put down mom's headstone - it was a tangible and pragmatic opportunity to finally be able to release the last of the grieving & closure - but that moment that's no big deal to anyone else reading this or staff at El Toro Memorial Park - was a healing moment for the remainder of what's left of my life. It's enough to request to remove mom & dad from here so there will be peace when I am here to visit. this day will be forever a reminder of the coldness, cruelty, and casualty by which the staff here view something so sacred, sad, & spiritual to survivors. read more

This place is where I just lay my Father to rest. It's a lovely place from what I have seen so far. Place is well kept and the crew is super respectful when asked a question or if they need anything from you. read more

I got locked into El Toro Memorial Park today with 8 other cars! This is the first time during a year that I was a few minutes late to exit . The cars ahead of me said the gate was closed b4 5pm. Read more in the photo screenshot (my post on their facebook).THE GROUDSKEEPER DID NOT DRIVE AROUND TO WARN ANYONE THEY WERE SOON CLOSING!! He drove around at 5pm to terrorize people! So I would like to suggest to you, Tim or Bud, that you install a speaker system throughtout the park so you can announce the same way they do in a store or an amusement park: "Attention visitors. The time is now 4:45pm. Please exit the property now. Gates will be locked promptly at 5pm. Thank you and good night." (In winter anyway). If your park changes to close 5pm year round then us working people are limited to visit weekends only. Good way to mistreat your customers and scare off new ones. Oh and did you know it's illegal to hold people hostage? read more

See all

We have a few loved ones buried here. We have been treated with respect every single time. Security has never been an issue for us. They have always given us a heads up before they close. A few times we have stayed a few minutes after 5 pm and we have never been locked in. It's such a peaceful and beautiful restful place read more

Awesome park for children! I have been taking my daughter here for the last month and loves it every time! It has a pirate theme to it, which my daughter loves cause of Jake the pirate(Disney show). It has several slides and swing for many kids to enjoy. It's off the main road which I like. There are also other things to do; tennis, BBQ, workout area and plenty of green to run around! I recommend this park for children 2yrs and above! read more

I laid my mom to rest here at El Toro Memorial Park. It's absolutely beautiful there! It's clean and filled with beautiful plant life. My mom is buried underneath a willow tree. I come there and it's so peaceful. The administration team and groundskeepers are very caring and helpful to me. It's a beautiful place! read more

I lost both of my parents within six months of each other. We buried them at El Toro Memorial Park and received outstanding service from Bud, the cemetery manager and Kimberly, the cemetery assistant. They were both very courteous and treated us like family members. Thank you both. read more

Really caring staff. Especially loved Bud who drove us around when we were deciding on a plot for my mom. Definitely recommend this cemetary when you need one! read more

Friendly staff and beautiful park. My family had a lovely experience. They work perfectly with O'Conner Mortuary. It's a large park with a variety of locations still available. read more

At this moment I do not recommend El Toro Memorial Park. Our kids came from Canada to visit my beautiful mother in law and their grandmother who's buried here. We arrived at 6:50 (10 minutes before their schedule close) and told (whom I'm assuming is) the groundskeeper that we would only be a few minutes. At 7pm he drove past and told us he's going to lock the gates however someone will be by soon to open the gate. We decided to leave at 7:03, and both gates were locked. We called at 7:10 and were told we would get a call back, at 7:30 we called again and were told someone would be there in 10 minutes. Someone arrived to open the gates for us and i approached her and was trying to explain what happen and to apologize when we were attacked by her (Mary Funk). A very annoyed Mary Funk, Not only was she very upset with us, she disrespected us the moment she laid eyes on my skin tone. Immediately she talked to me like i was a second class citizen and like i did not understand her. She then proceeded to tell us to "GET THE HELL OUT" and tried to close the gate on my face saying she was going to lock us in and call the police. We have never felt so disrespected in our lives, and all we wanted to see was our grandmother. Thanks Mary Funk, we thanked you for coming to let us out and you met us with disrespect and hostility. I hope you get the proper training needed to handle people, even if it's an inconvenience to you. And sorry we were 3 minutes late, that was because we had a toddler who was playing with her great-grandmother's picture. I work in customer service and we have clients coming in to the store right before closing and stay hours past closing hours. We all are human and working in the cemetery, you are working with people who lost their loved ones and you have to have compassion! Shame on you Mary Funk. read more

First off, I want to apologize if I get the name wrong. This review is well overdue! I want to thank Robert (Spanish speaker) for helping us with my sisters funeral arrangements. Thank you for being so understanding and caring during such a difficult time for my family and I. Thank you for staying in communication with our third party who was delivering my sisters body from Mexico. I had no clue what I was doing and what I needed to do on my end other than to pay. Our situation was a little different because my sisters body was coming from Mexico and we had to be in communication with a third party for viewing services which gave me anxiety because they were all over the place. But here at El Toro the process was so smooth. Robert went above and beyond. Thank you for what you do. I'm sure you have seen plenty of families go through this but for me it was my first time handling everything. I will always remember you for this. God bless you! read more

Let me say this, I'm blessed my friend is resting in a beautiful area but Fuck the Security. They were very insensitive and disrespectful towards my families feelings. For context it was the 1 Year memorial for my friend and when the time came that the park had to close, the security drove by with a lack of sympathy, a lack of empathy and very rudely said,"The park is closed!" I know in this review I can only give you what I can but he could've done that way better. He just wanted us gone so he could go home and be with his friends and family. We were only trying to visit ours because he's no longer with us. If he had just been kinder and more thoughtful I wouldn't be this upset. But I believe we were not the first and not the last family that boy is going to upset. He disrespected our time of grief for his selfishness. I really want to put that out there so he can be aware and you all can be aware that your special moment can be ruined by the people you pay to protect those moments. read more

My parents had pre-paid for a spot several years ago. They both passed 20 days apart. El Toro memorial park was amazing to deal with. Everything was handled with great care. I am very happy they can rest in peace in a beautiful well cared for cemetery. read more

I am greatly appreciative of the excellent service provided by El Toro Memorial Park's management and staff, having previously experienced quite bumpy family burials at other cemeteries! Fortunately, my folks had made their own arrangements with El Toro Memorial Park and its fantastic team helped us lovingly and smoothly lay them each to rest. The first time I entered the park, I could see the grounds were well-attended feeding my sense that I was in a very special place. The crew were respectful and clearly honored the ground and space within which they were working. The management team's warm smiles and gentle humor let me know they genuinely were alongside me for the entire experience and cared about what I was going through. From the start point of planning, I could see the team was committed to creating a loving experience. Even better, I knew that my parents' resting place would be well-cared for into the future. With the entire team's efforts, I was able to honorably lay each of my parents to rest. As we planned each internment, the staff handled the details and worked well with the mortuary. More importantly, the staff was always gracious, empathetic, and compassionate. All this support and service has exceeded my expectations! Thank you to the entire team for making this an experience worth telling others about. read more

I purchased plots for both my wifes parents after visiting all the cemeteries from Los Angeles down to SanDiego many years ago. We wanted a place with a warm vibe. El Toro Mmeorial Park is always well kept and meticulously maintained With green rolling hills and quiet hill tops. Its small and easy to get to. After being there for a few years we purchased cremation spots for both my wife and I. This place is amongst the best in California and a District Cemetery as well. Its hard to get disappointed here. read more

I added one more star since last review. They now have patrol to add security to the park. We are feeling better now that our flowers and grave sites are well looked after. Keep it up park management. read more

I think they are wonderful! All my family so far has a plot there. Even me and my husband for the future.

My father is buried at El Toro Memorial Park, and in the 20 years that my family and I have been visiting his gravesite not once have we ever been met with anything but the peaceful beauty of the grounds, as well as politeness and courtesy from the staff, whether groundskeepers or in the office. After reading a recent review I cannot help but suggest planning your visit during posted hours. I am unable to empathize with the previous reviewers who were locked inside of the grounds as gate hours are clearly posted, and by their own admission were also stated to them directly. To believe that rules do not apply to them in order to avoid taking personal responsibility by bashing personnel (who are in the act of going above and beyond due to their inconsiderate actions) is just plain classless, entitled behavior. Anyway, my father's gravesite is always green and well maintained. I have had trouble finding the vase at times due to it being sunken, but staff have always been willing to help. I can say in all honesty that my family and I highly recommend El Toro Memorial Park and would not hesitate to utilize their grounds and services again in the future, should the need arise. read more

Nice cemetery, my great grandparents are buried here. It's a peaceful place.

Our mother was buried here 13 years ago. Recently we noticed a few cracks on the cement surrounding her head stone and notified the management team. They promptly repaired it and it looks nice and new again. Thank you very much as this means a lot to us. read more

I made all arrangements, paperwork, payment and scheduled the day/time for my mother's interment in the rose garden. When we were ready to have the groundskeeper dig the hole for her ashes so that we could witness the burial, he asked for a permit. He had an "Interment Order" from the cemetery manager in his hand, but he refused to dig the hole until I produced the burial permit. I explained multiple times that it had been given to Bud, the manager, at the time of payment and arrangement, but he refused to dig the hole without the permit. He actually stated that the permit was probably on file in the office, but he had to see it to dig the hole. Needless to say I was completely astounded and upset. We stopped the service and my husband and son raced home, thankfully only in Laguna Hills, and retrieved my copy of the burial permit. The groundskeeper pocketed the permit and then dug the hole and we proceeded. Needless to say, I visited Bud the next day. He had no explanation for the groundskeeper's actions and apologized. I suggested adding a line to the "Interment Order" that is given to the groundskeeper that all paperwork is complete and on file in the office. As a word of warning, take your file with all copies of paperwork along in your car in case you get the same groundskeeper and he, once again, does not do his job or listen to reason. BTW - Bud said they could have contacted him on his cell as they have his number in case of emergency. Until then, my experience had been completely satisfactory. read more

Absolutely Horrid. My Dad paid for a plot, and they have no record of it. But lo and behold, they happened to have the exact plot he purchased available for re purchase when he passed away..... The salesman (who is also the Manager) came into the room and just started the sales process, never introducing himself, and I swear to you; I had a better experience buying my car. For 15 mins, his cell phone kept ringing with multiple calls until my Sister informed him that this isn't the time or place to have a cell phone constantly going off. After all that, they buried my Dad in the WRONG PLOT (the plot below the one we had to re purchase). We didn't want to upset my Mom, so we kept quiet and went there the next day to set everything straight. We found out through a cemetery Employee that they reburied my Dad after we informed our private funeral director that we were beside ourselves at the huge error. The cemetery NEVER SAID A WORD TO US until we confronted them. They secretly reburied my Dad and kept quiet. No Priest there to bless him!!!! (We gave them one month to fess up, and then my Sister finally called the Manager and let him have it) Who conducts business like that?! WATCH EVERY MOVE WITH THE BUSINESS OFFICE. El Toro Memorial Park Cemetery read more