The Silence of Grief and Why Mental Health Matters

Whether it’s expected or sudden, the loss of a loved one is a very difficult time. It truly changes your world. It’s deeply emotional and can come with sorrow, confusion, anger and even guilt. There’s so much to be done after a loss; planning the funeral, legal needs and more; but something that is unfortunately often overlooked is our mental health.

Grief is much more than sadness. And it’s not the same for everyone. For some people, grief arrives like a tidal wave, overwhelming and immediate. But for others, it can creep in slowly and last a long time. Everyone grieves differently and that’s okay. If you feel like your grief is lingering or prolonged, it’s time to seek support. Mental health support can help build resilience and allow space for true healing.

One funeral director openly discusses his experience with the unexpected loss of his son when he is faced with cases that involve mental health. In this story, he goes on to urge people to offer support to their loved ones who seem to be struggling with mental health. He says to recognize the warning signs. “If you notice someone that has extreme highs and extreme lows,” for example, it might be time to step in.

Tips for Helping Yourself and Others:

  • Allow yourself to feel your emotions.

  • Avoid isolation and talk to someone.

  • Be patient with yourself.

  • Check in regularly.

  • Listen without trying to fix problems.

  • Encourage seeking professional mental health support.   

Local Mental Health Resources:

If you or someone you love is struggling after a loss or just in general, here are several resources in our community available and ready to help guide you through the healing process:

Grief Support and Counseling:

  • Hospice of Northwest Ohio – Grief Support Center
    Offers individual counseling and group sessions for adults, children and families.
    1450 S. Detroit Ave., Toledo, OH
    (419) 661-4001
    www.hospicenwo.org

  • Harbor Behavioral Health
    A leading mental health provider offering grief counseling, therapy and support groups.
    Multiple locations across Toledo & Sylvania
    (419) 475-4449
    www.harbor.org

Immediate or Emergency Support

  • Zepf Center 24/7 Crisis Care
    For urgent behavioral health needs or emotional crises.
    Crisis Hotline: (419) 904-CARE (2273)
    www.zepfcenter.org

  • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    Dial 988 from any phone for confidential support, anytime.

  As always, you can reach out to the team at Toledo Memorial Park any time.

The Gift of Pre-planning and Why it Matters

Thinking ahead and making funeral arrangements in advance is one of the most considerate and practical steps you can take for both yourself and your loved ones. Here’s why:

1. Protect Yourself and Your Family Financially

As we’ve explained previously, pre‑planning lets you lock in today’s service prices, protecting you against future inflation and unexpected costs. It’s a simple way to offer everyone involved some peace of mind.

2. Eases the Emotional Load

Grieving is already hard; adding funeral decision making during that time can compound stress. When arrangements are set in advance, your family can focus on healing rather than logistics.

3. Personalize Your Farewell

Whether you’re looking for burial or cremation, when you plan ahead you ensure the service reflects your wishes down to the music, readings and even the flowers.

4. Prevents Family Disputes

Clear, documented preferences help prevent disagreements among loved ones and ensure your intentions are honored.

5. Lock in Predictability with Pre‑payment

By prepaying, you avoid inflation, ease future financial burdens and provide reassurance that everything is arranged exactly as you wish.

More Information from our Blog:

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Pre‑planning is a proactive way to remove burdens from those you love and ensure your own desires are fulfilled. The team at Toledo Memorial Park is ready to guide you through every step, from choosing services to establishing pre‑paid plans. Contact Toledo Memorial Park today to start planning: 419‑882‑7151.

Toledo Memorial Park Announces Retirement of CEO Jeff Clegg, New Leadership Appointed

Sylvania, OH—Toledo Memorial Park announces the upcoming retirement of longtime Chief Executive Officer Jeff Clegg, effective mid-June. After nearly 15 years of dedicated service, Clegg will step down, marking the end of a distinguished career devoted to the Park and the Sylvania community.

“Jeff has been the cornerstone of Toledo Memorial Park’s growth and reputation,” said John Boggs, former Park board member. “His vision, compassion and commitment to service helped shape the Park into what it is today.”

Among his many contributions, possibly most notable, Clegg spearheaded the initiative to build the 911 First Responders Last Call Memorial. Dedicated in 2016, the memorial is now resting place to first responders and their spouses.

“I can’t say enough about what the Park does for veterans and first responders,” said Clegg. “From the annual Wreaths Across America event to the Park’s warm and welcoming environment, Toledo Memorial Park honors those who have lived in, worked in and served our community. I’m grateful to have been a part of that for so many years.”

Taking the helm as the new leader of Toledo Memorial Park is Chad Albert, a respected member of the Park’s family advisor team. Albert has been with the Park for nearly four years and brings a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, strong community ties and a proven record of success in family services and outreach.

Albert will officially assume the role in mid-June, ensuring a seamless transition. He plans to continue the Park’s commitment to excellence and service.

“I look forward to the opportunity to continue evolving the Park to meet the needs of our families,” said Albert. “Being a good steward of this beautiful, tranquil place and continuing our service to the Sylvania community is both an honor and a privilege.”

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Media Contact:
Sara Stacy on behalf of Image Focus:
(313) 510-2775 or sarastacypr@gmail.com

Toledo Memorial Park

Established in 1922, Toledo Memorial Park is the area’s finest cemetery, with 380 beautiful acres of meadows, ponds, magnificent trees, flowering plants and sculptures all designed to celebrate the living beauty of nature. Our goal has been to create a peaceful retreat where generations can gather in beauty and tranquility to remember their loved ones. The non-sectarian, non-denominational, non-profit Park is solely owned by property owners who believe in family, choices and commitment. The Park includes a crematory, mausoleums, chapels, columbariums and burial sections accommodating both lawn level memorials and upright monuments and provides for all individual preferences including earth burial, mausoleum entombment, cremation and inurnment. For more information visit www.ToledoMemorialPark.com or call (419) 882-7151.

 

The Power of a Good Attitude

While it may sound a bit cliché, having a positive outlook on life does seem to contribute to better health and longevity. A study posted by John’s Hopkins Medicine suggests that people with a family history of heart disease who maintain a positive attitude were significantly less likely to have a cardiovascular event over those with an overall negative outlook.

The article goes on to suggest simple ways to keep your mindset positive. Suggestions including adding humor to your day, reframing seemingly negative situations to remind yourself there’s no use stressing over things outside your control, and working to be resilient by accepting change and acting on problems.

Another view on this topic is to have a generally good attitude about the inevitable. One fifth-generation funeral director discusses just that, saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. When there’s something worth sweating you will know.”

In a similar vein, the National Funeral Directors Association’s 2024-2025 study on changing funeral preferences shows younger generations view funeral directors as experts and trusted professionals. And a whopping 91% of respondents believe that, while it may be uncomfortable, having an open dialog about death is healthy.

Sunrise at the Park.

So, what’s the takeaway on this? Ideally, it’s that going into each day with a good attitude and making an effort to find the bright side can make a difference in your life. The above also shows us that having a positive outlook on what is inevitable and out of your control can help you live a happier and more peaceful life.

How can the Park help? Our gentle staff is available to talk with you and to help you plan for your own future. This can ease your mind and the minds of your loved ones. Simply knowing plans are made can be a huge stress reliever. The Park is also a welcoming and open space to unwind and take a walk. Let your mind wander and take in the natural beauty right here in our own Sylvania back yard. We hope to see you soon.

A Look at How the 2020 Pandemic Impacted the Funeral and Death Care Industry

As of this past spring, it’s been five years since the initial U.S. shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on the death care field was widespread in that the shutdown forced providers to find new ways to perform memorials and funerals, while the pandemic itself caused an unprecedented influx of deaths, overwhelming funeral service providers across the country.

With the surge in deaths, many funeral providers found themselves handling a number of cases far exceeding their capacity. Because of this, providers had to find new ways to work. These included using portable refrigeration units, implementing very strict safety protocols for storage and incorporating technology in new ways.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), more than half of its members began offering live-streamed services to accommodate families. The onset of social distancing and the shutdown made it very difficult for people to gather in large groups, especially indoors. Funeral service providers learned to utilize platforms like Zoom and Skype to hold online ceremonies. While this was initially used as a solution to a problem, it turned out to be a big added service, making attendance possible for people who are unable to travel for any reason.

Another outcome from the pandemic was a shift in consumer perspective toward preplanning. The pandemic had many people facing their mortality, leading people to ask more questions about preparing for their own end-of-life services. As we’ve discussed before, this benefits family members by alleviating a future financial burden and it also makes sure the wishes and needs of the deceased are met in a meaningful way.

The swift adaptations made by providers have created a funeral service industry that has higher standards, increased flexibility, better-prepared families and a new reputation for use of technology. While the pandemic was a difficult time for everyone in so many ways, it’s good to be able to look back and see how our industry has improved and evolved.

Upcoming Events at Toledo Memorial Park

It’s not a secret that we love to see our community at the Park. As the weather warms, you are always invited to visit. Be it to visit loved ones who reside in the calm serenity of the Park or simply to enjoy nature on a walk, you are always welcome.

In addition to the open invitation to casually visit, we have some events upcoming for you to note.

Volunteers Needed May 20, 21, 22 and 23, each day starting at 8:30 a.m.:
We need volunteers to help honor those who have served by placing American flags throughout the Park in preparation for our annual Memorial Day Celebration. If interested, please reach out to Mel Harbaugh at 46elapid@gmail.com.

Memorial Day Celebration:
Monday, May 26, 9 a.m. at the Park
We invite you to join us for speakers, a marching band and an honor guard presentation before heading out to the Sylvania Memorial Day parade.

Annual Car Show:
Date TBD in August 2025 at the Park
Always a favorite event, watch for a date for our annual Car Show. The event supports our Wreaths Across America efforts. Join us in August to see a variety of fun and interesting classic cars and more. This free event is fun for the whole family.

September 11th Remembrance:
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, time TBD at the Park
Pay tribute to the first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, with a touching ceremony.

Wreaths Across America:
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at noon
Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom. At this event, we place remembrance wreaths on the graves of those who have served our country. Sponsor a wreath for the Park.  

We hope to see you at each of these free community events.

Funeral Processions: Show Respect by Yielding and Following the Local Laws

We’ve all seen and likely been a part of a funeral procession at some point in our lives. This sacred procession is to transport the deceased from funeral home to place of worship to cemetery, or some variation of end-of-life facilities. In this blog we’ll explore important things to know for when you next encounter a funeral procession.

Most people know the basics. The procession will be easy to spot because the vehicles are adorned with a small, recognizable flag and we must yield right-of-way. But to make sure everyone learns something here, let’s dig into the specifics of the law for the state of Ohio.

In Ohio, funeral procession laws fall under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4511.451. You can click the link for the complete breakdown.

Here are the main points:

  • Funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.

  • The lead vehicle must obey traffic signals, but once the procession has started through an intersection, the rest of the group may follow regardless of changes to the traffic signal.

  • Vehicles in the procession must have their headlights on and clearly display a purple and white or orange and white funeral flag.

  • Other cars are not allowed to drive between vehicles in the procession or otherwise interfere.

  • Emergency and public safety vehicles are the only exception to these rules.

  • Violating any of these points can result in a traffic citation.

Rest assured, your funeral director will know all the ins and outs and will manage the details for you. As always, the staff at your Park is ready and available to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to get in touch.

Left Behind: Why Thousands of Cremated Remains Go Unclaimed Each Year

At the surface level, it seems unfathomable that cremated remains could go unclaimed, but it does happen. It’s a difficult topic for the obvious reason that unclaimed remains is a sad set of circumstances, but also quite challenging because there are no set rules on reporting or mitigating the matter.

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) estimates that about 1% of all cremations go unclaimed. Based on the rate of cremation in the United States, this means approximately 15,000 sets of remains could go unclaimed each year.

This story from The War Horse tells us the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates around 21,000 veteran remains are currently unclaimed. It goes on to explain that the Missing in America Project believes the number to be significantly higher and expands on what the Project is doing to help.

This issue is not limited to the United States, the BBC reports that as many as 300,000 sets of ashes are currently unclaimed across the United Kingdom. One funeral director suggests that beyond the situation of no next of kin, some people simply don’t have a plan for their loved ones’ ashes and as time passes, they decide to leave them with the funeral home.

Funeral industry associations like the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) offer training courses and advice on how to reduce the number of unclaimed ashes, but there is more work to be done on the topic.

One of the best solutions to this problem is permanent placement of cremains. Toledo Memorial Park can help with this. The Park offers many options for cremated remains from a mausoleum niche to cremation ground burial to scattering in the prairie, there’s an option to suit everyone. Reach out today for more information.  

A Guide to Planning a Funeral

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming as you’re faced with making several decisions during a time of grief. Having a grasp of the key steps involved as well as important terms to understand can help make the process smoother. The team at Toledo Memorial Park is here to help, feel free to reach out any time with questions.

Determine the Type of Service

  • Traditional Funeral Service: A formal service with a viewing, a religious or secular ceremony and burial or cremation.

  • Memorial Service: A gathering to honor the deceased without the body present.

  • Graveside Service: A simple ceremony held at the burial site.

  • Direct Cremation/Burial: No formal service, just the cremation or burial itself.

  • Celebration of Life: A less formal, personalized service focusing on the deceased’s life rather than mourning. 

Choose Burial or Cremation

  • Burial: In-ground at a cemetery, in a mausoleum or in a family plot.

  • Cremation: Ashes can be kept in an urn, scattered, placed in a columbarium, or buried.

Important Terms:

  • Interment: The act of placing the body or ashes in a final resting place.

  • Casket: A box used to hold the deceased’s body.

  • Columbarium: A structure that houses cremation urns.

  • Crypt: An above-ground burial site, often in a mausoleum.

  • Mausoleum: A building on the grounds of a cemetery that functions as an above-ground burial plot.

  • Niche: A recess in the wall of the columbarium where the urn is placed.

  • Urn: A container for cremated remains.

  • Vault: A container into which the casket is placed before burial, made of concrete or metal. 

Select a Funeral Home and/or Cemetery

A funeral director or the staff at a full-service cemetery can help you coordinate all aspects of the services. They can assist with paperwork, transportation and legal requirements.

Cemeteries like Toledo Memorial Park have buildings on site that are available for ceremonies.

Important Terms:

  • Death Certificate: An official document stating the cause and details of death.

  • Embalming: Preserving the body for a number of days allowing time for viewing and funeral services.

Plan the Ceremony and Personalization

Decide on details including:

  • Officiant: Someone to run the ceremony. Usually a religious leader, a celebrant or family member.

  • Music & Readings: Songs, poems or religious texts.

  • Eulogies: Speeches honoring the deceased.

  • Flowers & Decorations: Beautify the ceremony’s setting.

Arrange Transportation

The funeral director will be able to assist with transportation needs, if necessary.

  • Hearse: A vehicle that transports the casket.

  • Procession: A group of vehicles traveling together to the burial site.

  • Pallbearers: Individuals who carry the casket.

Notify Family and Friends

Things to consider:

  • Obituary: A written acknowledgment of the deceased’s life published in a local newspaper and online. Often invites readers to attend the funeral.

  • Invitations: Email or mail notices with the funeral details.

Final Thoughts

As with any topic, being armed with information helps. Funeral planning can be emotional, and knowing what needs to be done can ease the stress. Whether you’re planning or pre-planning, let the team at your Park assist and provide helpful guidance and support.

Prepare for Your Future by Pre-planning Funeral Arrangements

A topic that is on repeat for us here at the Park is pre-planning funeral arrangements. It’s on repeat because it’s important. There are big benefits to taking this preparatory step for you and for your family. Pre-planning is a practical decision that will alleviate future emotional and financial burdens during a time of grief.

Financial Security

Plain and simple, the most obvious benefit of pre-planning is the ability to lock in current service prices, protecting against future inflation and cost increases. This approach makes sure your family won't face unexpected expenses and eases a potential financial burden.

Personalized Arrangements

As we’ve talked about before, pre-planning allows you to have input into your own arrangements. From selecting the type of service to choosing specific readings or music, you can be a part of planning your farewell helping to make sure the event is a true representation of your life. This really does offer comfort to those left behind. Making decisions while grieving can be very challenging.

Reducing Emotional Stress

Funerals are overwhelming for loved ones. They’ve just lost a special person and things move fast. By having your plans in place; you relieve your family from making difficult choices, allowing them to focus on healing and celebrating your life without added stress.

Ensuring Your Wishes Are Honored

This goes along with personalizing your arrangements, but pre-planning provides clear documentation of your preferences. This clarity can prevent potential disagreements among family members and provides peace of mind, knowing that the arrangements will be carried out according to your wishes.

Pre-planning is a thoughtful gesture that offers emotional and financial benefits to your loved ones. Get in touch with us at the Park today. We can help.