MEET OUR TEAM
Arlene and Allen began collaborating in 2022. They decided to turn their ideas and talents into a joined business, and Cemetery Love Notes was born.
Arlene, Founder
Allen, Designer
When Arlene’s mother passed away, she was looking for a special way to remember her. After looking and not finding the right item, Arlene designed a unique steel sign that could lay flat and stake into the ground next to her mother’s gravesite.
Before she knew it, friends were asking Arlene to make one for their loved one or lost pet, and Cemetery Love Notes was born.
Before developing Cemetery Love Notes, Arlene has worked as an eighteen-wheel truck driver and a dental assistant. Having various jobs fits her personality because she loves variety and is eager to learn something new!
Arlene enjoys spending time with her dog, family and friends. Her hobbies and likes include playing the piano, cooking, live theater and gardening.
As an artist, Allen loves various aspects of all things creative, such as art, graphic design, photography, welding, and pottery.
He has been a self motivator since childhood, always seeking the next idea to develop and turn into a reality.
When he’s not working hard, he loves to travel, play pickleball with friends, try new restaurants and spend time with family.
Allen hand-crafts each and every sign that ships out of our shop. When you receive your Cemetery Love Note, it has been in the hands of a skillful designer, and we hope you love it as much as he loves making it for you.
MY STORY
Read Arlene’s story about the inspiration behind Cemetery Love Notes.
Cemetery Love Notes: Honoring Loved Ones in a Lasting Way
When my mother passed away in 2021, my family and I found ourselves in a strange and painful waiting period. It took eight long months for her permanent headstone to be placed at her resting spot. During that time, we often said, "If only we could just put her name in the pile of dirt somehow." That was the reality for many families—grieving without the tangible reminder of a loved one’s name marking their final resting place.
But finally, after months of waiting, the headstone arrived, and we could visit her grave with the permanent marker of her life. My dad went to visit her gravesite one day, and I wanted to leave something special for him to place by her side. Flowers die, balloons deflate, and letters often blow away. I needed something that would last.
My mother’s breast cancer journey was a huge part of our family story. Diagnosed just after finding out she was pregnant with me, she chose to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and major surgery while carrying me. She went against all odds and ended up winning her battle! I can’t imagine going through cancer while being pregnant! She is my hero, and I became her miracle baby.
While she was alive, I would send her flowers, gifts, and love notes on my birthdays, trying to thank her for the life she gave me. I always wanted to tell her how amazing she was because I knew one day I wouldn't be able to.
When she passed away from complications of Covid, I wanted to keep her memory alive in a way that would endure. The breast cancer symbol, with its ribbon and powerful message of survival and strength, was an integral part of our journey. So, I decided to create something that would honor her spirit and protect her legacy forever—a steel breast cancer ribbon with the word “Mom” carved into it, painted purple, her favorite color. I designed it to be flat and secure with two stakes to ensure it would stay in place and last for years, even through the seasons.
But there was one problem. This type of gravesite marker didn’t exist. So, I began making phone calls, and that’s when I met Allen. Over the next two years, we worked together…designing and creating custom gravesite markers for families, pets, and loved ones. Our designs weren’t just practical—they were personal, tailored to everyone’s interests, family names, or favorite symbols.
Losing someone is never easy, but if I can help you or someone you love find a special way to honor a loved one’s memory, I would be honored to do so. That’s why I created Cemetery Love Notes: a way to leave a permanent, personal tribute for those who can never be replaced.
If you’d like to create your own custom marker, or if you need a way to preserve a memory for yourself or someone you care about, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let us help you make your Cemetery Love Note today.
- Arlene, Founder of Cemetery Love Notes