About Us

A History of Love

Cedar Hills began as an act of love. Throughout the 1960′s and 70′s Marvin Bradley considered his little Chihuahua, Pepper, his closest companion. Wherever Marvin went, Pepper was always right beside him.  As a funeral director for a local cemetery, Marvin became concerned as he saw Pepper growing older. Dissatisfied at the level of dignity provided by the options available for pets in our area at the time, and believing he wasn’t alone in his concern, Marvin set to work.

Before Pepper went to heaven, Marvin vowed he would move the earth to provide a beautiful dignified place of rest, not only for Pepper, but also for other beloved pets and their grieving families. Marvin spent his final years planning, and visiting pet cemeteries in large cities around the country. With the knowledge he’d gained, he began leveling, planting, and manicuring the rough pasture land that has matured into the charming cemetery that is a place of comfort for so many people today.

Marvin Bradley and his wife Ollie opened Cedar Hills to the public in 1972. Sadly, Marvin died young, and unexpectedly, just three years later, and was never able to see the cemetery he had envisioned reach full maturity. When Pepper died in 1972, according to Marvin’s wishes, Pepper and Marvin’s cremated remains were buried side by side at Cedar Hills, beneath the statue of St. Francis.

Cedar Hills Today

Majestic cedar trees, flowering Bradford pear trees, and sweet memorials of thousands of beloved pets define the landscape of Cedar Hills’ beautifully matured grounds. Stroll the cemetery grounds and you’ll find a few famous pets buried here. One is Felix “the talking cat” who made an appearance on the Johnny Carson show, and yes, he really could talk.  And (being so close to Nashville) you’ll also find the pets of several famous people as well.

Pet parents from all over the state of Tennessee, and the southeast have found Cedar Hills perpetual care protected grounds to be a place of peace and remembrance for their beloved pet’s final resting place. And we are glad to offer the assurance that Cedar Hills has more than adequate land to provide beautifully dignified burials for beloved pets, at today’s current numbers, for the next 30-40 years.

Today it is Dallas & Shacina Beard who are at work, keeping Marvin’s vision of Cedar Hills alive. Married 13 years with two boys, Ben (8) and Drew (5), they recently lost their beloved Chocolate Lab, Caesar, to cancer.

“We consider ourselves ‘caretakers’ of Cedar Hills rather than owners,” Dallas shares. “Cedar Hills belongs to the families of the pets buried here. It’s such an honor for us to be invited, for a moment, into people’s lives, to walk with them through such an intimate, difficult time, and to be able to care for this beautiful place and the dear families who have chosen Cedar Hills as their beloved pets’ final home.”