Rethinking Remembrance at Lakewood Cemetery’s Net-Zero Welcome Center

Serene and remarkable, Lakewood Cemetery has provided visitors a place of solace for over 150 years. Situated between Lakes Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, the landmark cemetery houses multiple facilities for welcoming guests and offering funeral services in addition to expansive grounds for visitation and reflection.

Lakewood has embraced a progressive approach to sustainable operations with a geothermal system that subtly blends in with the awe-inspiring architecture and natural environment of the area.

Constructed in 2022, the system uses two 12″ diameter wells combined with a central heat pump to provide thermal comfort throughout all seasons of the year.

Darcy Solutions often discusses and shares project decision making concepts on projects from our customers when available. Below find additional information from Chris Makowske, President of Lakewood Cemetery on their decision making process for the facility and impacts of those choices:

What were the driving factors for Lakewood to choose geothermal?

We chose to pursue a net-zero energy certification for our new Welcome Center because greater sustainability is a goal we’re striving to achieve at Lakewood. Stewardship is one of Lakewood’s core values, and that includes stewardship of the grounds. Geothermal, as part of a net-zero energy building, is part of a broader sustainability strategy that includes preserving our urban tree canopy and moving toward more sustainable landscaping. The design teams we worked with recommended geothermal, among other strategies, to help us achieve the net-zero energy goal for the building.

What impact does this Sustainability have on the different stakeholders associated with the facility?

Many of our customers, neighbors, staff, and leadership care deeply about the natural environment and sustainable practices. It’s important that we honor that by making sustainable choices that support our environment.

Do you intend to capture the Investment Tax Credit for the facility?

Yes, we plan on pursuing the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Are there any other notable pieces of information you would want to share?

Using the Darcy well system also helped us preserve precious space that can be used for memorialization in the future. Traditional wells would have taken up a much broader field and limited future memorialization options for those we serve.

“The Darcy System is really impressive,


I’m a customer, so I should know and


my quote reflects that!”

“The Darcy System is really impressive,


I’m a customer, so I should know and


my quote reflects that!”

“The Darcy System is really impressive, I’m a customer, so I should know and my quote reflects that!”

Author's Name

“The Darcy System is really impressive, I’m a customer, so I should know and my quote reflects that!”

Author's Name