Our Story
Memorial Gardens
Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens was established in 1985 by local businessmen headed by Phil Flores. It was their dream to create on Guam a place of remembering that honored the traditions of the island while providing the best in memorialization technology and convenience. Since then, Our Lady of Peace has become recognized as the most beautiful Memorial Gardens in the Western Pacific.
Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens is located in Cross Island Road, Yona, a mere 20 minutes drive from Hagatna. Set against the breathtaking view of mountainous terrain, the Memorial Gardens is outstanding in its beauty. Towering trees, sweeping lawns, enchanting flowers, splashing fountains, noble statuary, and memorial architecture blend together to create a landscape that uplifts the soul. Everywhere is a loveliness that bespeaks the loving regards and respects for the memory of our dear departed that is the tradition of the island.
Standing by the entrance of the Memorial Gardens is a 40-foot metal structure of Our Lady of Peace set upon a reflecting pool and fountain. This magnificent work of art was specially commissioned by Eduardo Castrillo, an internationally awarded sculptor and a pioneer of environmental art in Asia.
The gates open to a panoramic view of landscaped park grounds and the mountains beyond. It is a fitting backdrop to the larger-than-life statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the center. The statue, fashioned of Carrara marble, was made by Italy’s leading and now world-renowned religious sculptor, Franco Cervietti.
The park grounds is surrounded by a 33-foot wide road system to provide on-site parking and ease of access. There is also an administration building on-site with an air-conditioned reception room for visitors.
Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens is maintained by a full-time crew 7 days a week, and is protected by an Endowment Care Trust Fund to perpetuate this garden of memory.
Statue of Our Lady of Peace
Holy Family Garden
Memorial Walk Garden and Family Vista Estates
Garden on the Mount
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Chapel on the Mount
Garden of Devotion
Funeral Home
Knowing that providing for interment properties is just half of the need, Phil Flores thought it was time to introduce Pre-Need Funeral Service Plans to complete the solution to the memorialization needs of families. Thus, Our Lady of Peace Memorial Plan, Inc. was incorporated in May 1990.
From 1990 to 1996, Our Lady of Peace partnered with two of the oldest funeral homes on Guam at the time (Island Funeral Home and San Agustin Funeral Service) to service Pre-Need customers. While that partnership served the most urgent needs of that time, Our Lady of Peace’s passion for excellence led it to open its own Funeral Home in 1997.
The decision to put up our own Funeral Home was most challenging. First, we had to contend with a small viewing room (10’ x 12’) and a small casket selection room at the Memorial Garden’s administration building in Cross Island Road, Yona. Second, we had to make do with our meager resources to provide for decent equipment such as funeral hearses, family cars, embalming facilities, and viewing equipment. Third, we had to multitask and train ourselves to the higher calling of serving families in the hours of their greatest need instead of subcontracting another funeral home to deliver our promise.
From there, there was no turning back. In just two years, we were able to construct our own building in Barrigada (across from then PriceSmart, and now Rev & Tax/DMV) complete with a viewing chapel that has a seating capacity of 100 with Wi-Fi capability, a lanai where families can gather for merienda, a decent casket selection room, two family arrangement rooms, and sales and administration offices. Today, we have the largest parking lot among all funeral homes on Guam to accommodate more families during their gatherings at our chapels.
We are also proud to say that Our Lady of Peace pioneered the introduction of cremation as a manner of human remains disposition on Guam in 1997, and also the building of columbarium units or places of inurnment of cremated remains. Today, we have the newest cremation machine on island and remains the only funeral home on Guam with two cremation machines.