Dillon Benavides - General Manager 
San Tan Memorial Gardens LLC
 
How many years have you been in business?
11 Years

What product or service do you offer?
San Tan Memorial Gardens is a public, perpetual-care cemetery located in Queen Creek, Arizona. The cemetery offers funeral services for caskets and cremated remains. It sits on 10 acres of land and offers in-ground burial and entombment within a mausoleum. The cemetery also offers granite and bronze headstones for memorialization of deceased loved one's. Families also have the option to pre-purchase plots and all services and merchandise for themselves or a loved one in advance. Doing so locks in cemetery fees at today's rates and provides peace of mind. Whether you have an immediate need or are interested in Advance Planning, San Tan Memorial Gardens is ready to assist you as the preferred final resting place in the Southeast Valley.
 
What makes your business different, competitive, or unique?
There are several cemeteries located throughout Arizona. San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms stands out for several reasons. It is located on a farm and is surrounded by beautiful fields and orchards as well as views of the San Tan and Superstition mountains. The cemetery is owned by the Schnepf Family who own the farm which was designated an "Arizona Treasure" by Governor Janet Napolitano. The cemetery was open to the public and held its first interment in 2012 which means there is land designated for cemetery use for the next 120+ years. It also does not own and is not affiliated with any mortuary or funeral home and is more affordable than neighboring cemeteries.
 
What is the nicest thing a customer has ever said about your business?
"San Tan Memorial Gardens is such a great place. They really have each family in mind and work very close with them to make a terrible situation beautiful. Our family lost a new born baby girl and we were totally devastated. San Tan Memorial handled everything with grace, integrity, and helped us prepare for the eternal resting place of our sweet baby. They really know what they are doing and care about their clients. The grounds are beautiful and well groomed. We can not thank them enough for making such a hard day seem a little brighter." - Candace V.
 
How has your business found value in your membership with the Gilbert Chamber?
The Gilbert Chamber has made it easy to navigate in the business community as well as help get our name out there. There are always opportunities that the chamber offers that help us accomplish these things. The networking events have been of value to us because it has allowed us to meet businesses in the Gilbert community that have been able to help us with specific needs. The sponsorship and publishing opportunities have also been of value because they help us spread the word that families have the option to use San Tan Memorial Gardens as their final resting place.
 
What Motivates you professionally?
First and foremost, my main motivation is to provide for my growing family. My wife and I have two children with 1 on the way. I constantly work with my children in mind hoping that they can have opportunity as they grow older and become good people wherever they end up. Managing a cemetery on a daily basis comes with "built-in" motivation. Each family we serve is dealing with a loss or preparing for a loss. Knowing this motivates me to put my best foot forward for each family we serve so I can lay my head down at the end of the day knowing I was helpful in some way to someone else.

What do you consider to be your greatest success?
I consider marrying my wife to by my greatest personal success. Hands down. She is incredible. The smartest move I made was to marry her and start a family with her. Professionally, I consider accepting the role of managing San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms my greatest success. I've accomplished some great things, but accepting to work where I do has taught me so much and provided many great things for myself and my family, as well as those we serve at the cemetery.
 
Who do you look up to or admire?
Other than the usual answers (God, Jesus, my wife and kids, etc), I look up to the people who work, love, and serve expecting nothing in return. Whoever that is out there, if you know someone like that, that's who I admire.

When you're not working, where in Gilbert do you spend your time?
When I'm not working, I love spending my time at Joe's Real BBQ and Hale Theatre. Good food and real entertainment can't be beat.