LOS ANGELES, CA—Nestled in the buildings adjacent to the oldest part of Forest Lawn-Glendale—so historic they have the above ground gravestones that are largely eschewed by the memorial park—lies the Automotive and Mechanical Maintenance Department, the hub that keeps Forest Lawn’s fleet in motion. There’s much to uncover in Forest Lawn’s maintenance department. From classic and contemporary hearses to custom-made vehicles designed to perform park-specific duties, to lawn mowers and irrigation trucks that keep the 250 acres of grass and gardens green, and excavation machinery that moves more than 30,000 cubic yards of earth each year for interments, each vehicle and machine underscores the vital role this department plays in the life of the memorial park.
Some of the most recognizable stars of the collection are the hearses, which have become must-sees at Forest Lawn’s annual Classic Cars & Coffee event. Highlights of the classic car collection include a 1950 Cadillac Meteor and a 1965 Cadillac Silver Spirit, both with the signature “FLMP 50” and “FLMP” license plates, respectively. The Silver Spirit has a V8 engine with 340 horsepower, while the Meteor has a 331 cubic inch V8 with horsepower rated at 160. The Meteor features collectable wheel discs fashioned like “sombreros” with crest badges, rear fins said to resemble a P-38 WW2 war plane, and the first year of the one-piece windshield. It was known as a “solid gold Cadillac” due to the popular recurring body-style, new frame design and powerful engine that matched revolutionary changes. In 1950, it had a reputation as “the best Cadillac with the performance to match the looks,” and was rated “fastest stock car in the USA,” and “fastest accelerating production car in the world.” Beyond classic coaches, Forest Lawn’s contemporary models range from Cadillacs to Armbruster to Phoenix models, ensuring tradition and innovation ride side-by-side.
With thousands of acres of lawn to mow and water daily, Forest Lawn has a number of John Deere and other mowers and irrigation trucks. Yet they also have large machines distinct to a memorial park. In addition to casket loaders, casket lowering devices, and dirt haulers, there are custom made machines, such as a flatbed built in the 1950s, with GMC differentials, Wisconsin engines, straight GMC steering axles, and pre-war airplane floatation tires—which was upgraded in 1990.
In addition, most everything throughout Forest Lawn is custom-made within the park. Currently, the team is replacing wrought iron railings with stainless steel handrails crafted on the department’s own lathes, mills, and fabrication machinery. Smaller machines include drill presses, band saws, and welding stations, as well as precision lasers that engrave numbers into plot markers and urn labels. Recently, the carpentry team worked with artist duo DABSMYLA to fabricate their Cosmic Flower art instillation for Forest Lawn Museum’s “In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art” exhibition, which closed on February 15, 2026.
“Our work is unique, so the tools and machines we use are unique,” said Ricardo Rojas, Forest Lawn-Glendale’s Automotive Mechanical & Transportation Supervisor, Glendale Maintenance. “Whether it’s an eye-catching 1950 Cadillac hearse or a custom-built hauler, we know our machines will ultimately help make the grieving process for a family run a little smoother, and we work every day to make sure that is possible.”
From the micro to the macro, Forest Lawn refurbishes and sources machines tailored to the unique needs of the memorial park and the families it serves. As the Forest Lawn Credo displayed in the department reminds, “Caring service is our reason for being.” The dedicated maintenance workers and seasoned mechanics ensure that every part of the park can function seamlessly as they support other departments with equipment that can haul dirt, transport heavy caskets, mow lawns, and irrigate gardens. Together, their work keeps the grounds looking pristine, always with the intention of serving the families who trust Forest Lawn with their loved ones.
Image credits (left to right): Juan Henriquez works on the fabricator in Forest Lawn’s Automotive and Mechanical Maintenance Department. Courtesy of Forest Lawn; A selection Forest Lawn’s heavy-duty machinery and classic coaches fleet, featuring a dirt hauler, casket loader, flatbed, John Deere lawnmower, 1950 Cadillac Meteor Landau, and 1965 Cadillac Silver Spirit. Courtesy of Forest Lawn.
For additional information and media inquiries about Forest Lawn, please contact Tom Smith at 323.340.4742 or tsmith@forestlawn.com.
About Forest Lawn Memorial–Parks & Mortuaries
For more than a century, Forest Lawn has been an integral part of Southern California. Since its founding, Forest Lawn has committed itself to providing outstanding service and beautiful environments for family outings, remembering loved ones and commemorating holidays. Forest Lawn’s locations in the Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties serve all faiths and cultures, and offer a wide range of celebrations and special events with competitively priced cremation and traditional funeral services throughout Southern California. Glendale – FD 656
About Forest Lawn–Glendale
Founded in 1906, Forest Lawn has been a Southern California landmark for more than a century. With rolling hills, sweeping landscapes and a magnificent view of the Los Angeles skyline, Forest Lawn–Glendale is one of Forest Lawn’s most picturesque locations. It features a world-renowned art museum, extraordinary statuary and the Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection, home to Jan Styka’s immense painting, The Crucifixion, and Robert Clark’s Resurrection, two of the largest religious paintings in the western hemisphere. Glendale – FD 656
