Sunrise service at Fairhaven Memorial features life-like figurines of the 12 disciples
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In so many ways, a cemetery is an apropos setting for an Easter service. After all, according to Scripture, Jesus rose from the dead after the entombment of his body.
On Sunday, April 21, around 700 worshipers gathered before dawn at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana to mark the most revered story of Christianity – the faith’s very foundation.
Fairhaven has hosted Easter sunrise services for the past 25 years, annually rotating through various themes and performances. Sometimes, Jesus has emerged from his tomb. Other times, he has ascended on a pulley. One year, the audience witnessed his crucifixion.
This Easter, the service featured 12 remarkably realistic mannequins breaking bread at the Last Supper. The life-size disciples originally were sculpted for the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, yet never went public before the tourist attraction closed in 2005.
“They actually made their debut here at Fairhaven, Easter of 2010,” said the cemetery’s spokeswoman Cynthia Adair. Nine years later, the figurines – now owned by R.W.B. Party Props – returned for an encore.
Visitors began winding their way in the dark to folding chairs outside the stately Fairhaven Mausoleum. For most, any hint of traditional Easter fashion hid beneath coats and blankets warding off the chill.
“At this time of morning, coffee is tasting pretty good,” said Jessica Taylor of Santa Ana, as she sipped the complimentary treat welcoming guests at the entrance.
Siblings Lana Voyer and Grant Langford come every year not only for the service but also to pay respects to their parents, both of whom are buried at Fairhaven.
“We have made it our tradition,” Voyer said. “We bring Mom and Dad flowers and enjoy the beautiful service.”
Setting the alarm for 4 a.m. is old hat, they said. “We both had to get up really early for water polo at Tustin High,” Langford said. “This is much better than jumping in cold water.”
The service started at 6 on the dot – 14 minutes before sunrise. Three pastors from churches around Orange County took turns giving sermons, in between performances by an orchestra and choir.
In their addresses, the pastors offered prayers for the hundreds of Easter celebrants killed just hours before in Sri Lanka church bombings.
Meanwhile, the apostles sat upfront at a long table, seemingly engaged in animated conversation. But the central figure was missing.
Then, toward the end of the one-hour service, an actor portraying Jesus slipped through the curtains. As he raised his hands, three dozen doves fluttered skyward from cages – circling overhead before fluttering away.
Afterward, a just-for-fun character showed up. Both children and adults lined up for photos with the Easter Bunny, who passed out candy-filled eggs
Frankie Mejia’s parents and grandparents huddled around him to snap cellphone pictures. Dressed in his Sunday best, the two-year-old looked unfazed by the commotion.
The family has attended the Fairhaven service for 22 years, driving all the way from Ontario. “We have loved ones buried here,” said Frankie’s mom, Vanessa Sotelo. That means her 21-year-old daughter Yaritza Gomez has been tagging along since she was a baby.
“We have instilled it in our children,” Sotelo said. “No matter where you live or what you’re doing, this is where our family meets for Easter.”