Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Toledo Memorial Park

Each year, dedicated volunteers help us place nearly 15 thousand flags for Memorial Day. We truly hope you’ll join us for this year’s ceremony, and if you’re interested in volunteering, we would love to have you here May 19-22. Just give us a call to arrange. Details are below.

Event Details:

What: Please join the Park for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The event will take place at Veterans Memorial Tower.

When: Monday, May 25, starting promptly at 9 a.m.

Where: Toledo Memorial Park         
              6382 Monroe St.
              Sylvania, OH 43560
              (419)-882-7151

Note: Volunteers are needed May 19-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to place nearly 15,000 flags for the event. Please call the volunteer coordinator, Mel Harbaugh at 419-270-3360 or the Park at 419-882-7151 to make arrangements.

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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.

A Helpful Pre-Planning Checklist

Planning funeral arrangements is never going to be a task we look forward to, but pre-planning has serious benefits. It locks in today’s prices, and it makes a difficult time so much simpler for your loved ones. Below is a helpful checklist for you to use if pre-planning is on your mind. Be sure to connect with the team at the Park; we’re here to help. 419-882-7151 or info@toledomemorialpark.com

Record Basic Personal Information

• Full legal name

• Social security number

• Date and place of birth

• Parents’ names, including your mother’s maiden name

• Military service details, if applicable

• Marriage/divorce history

• Current address and emergency contact

Decide on Your Final Disposition Preference

• Burial

• Cremation

• Donation to science

• Alternative options

• Note your cemetery preference if choosing this option

• Note preference for ashes (urn, scatter, interment at cemetery)

Outline Your Service Preferences

• Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life or none

• Religious, secular or cultural traditions

• Preferred location

• Preferred music, readings, speakers, etc

• Any other specific preferences

Budgeting

• List your estimated total budget

• Decide what items matter most to you and what items can be cut, if needed

• Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule information page

Compare Prices and Document Provider Preferences

• Research local funeral service providers

• Compare prices

• Note your preferences

Decide on Payment Planning

• Prepay or save funds in a separate account

• Life insurance for end-of-life expenses

• Avoid non-transferable contracts

Finalize Legal Documents

• Create or update your will or trust

• Consider a living will

• Put a durable power of attorney in place

• Visit the National Institute on Aging for expanded information on legal needs

Write or Outline Your Obituary

• List a family member or loved one to be in charge of executing the obituary

• List key life details and accomplishments to be included

• List of family members to include

• List charities to receive donations in lieu of flowers

Important Contacts

• Attorney or executor of the will

• Employer or professional contacts to be notified

Gather and Store Important Documents in a Safe Place

• Birth certificate

• Marriage/divorce records

• Military discharge papers

• Insurance policy information

• Property deeds and titles

• Important password list

• Funeral arrangements written plan (also share this with family in advance)

Revisit Regularly

• Update your will after major life changes

• Update final arrangements plan if your wishes change

• Update beneficiaries as needed

Grief Etiquette in an Online World

News travels fast in this digital world we live in today. Because of this, we need to take a moment to sit with information before sharing our own personal perspective, thoughts or condolences immediately.

In the story Grief Etiquette in the Digital Age on the Remembering A Life website, an initiative from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), one woman explains that while she was still processing the news of a lost loved one, her phone was already filled with messages from people she knew.

The immediacy of news and information has changed the way we learn about death and it can be very overwhelming for those who have lost someone. Social media offers a wonderful, virtual gathering place to mourn and talk. But to avoid unintentional harm to the family, follow these important guidelines.

From Remembering a Life (NFDA):

• Wait for the family: don’t post about a death or share information before the family has formally announced the situation.

• Reach out privately first: A phone call or card, even a DM, can be much more meaningful than a public post.

• Consider asking permission: Before you share your personal memories or photos, ask the family if it’s okay with them if you post publicly.

• Never speculate: never publicly post with speculative thoughts about a death; this can cause serious hurt feelings.

• Offer ongoing support: this is not new information; grief doesn’t end after the funeral. Check in with the family over the next several weeks and even months.

Grief will always be a complex emotion. Use your best judgment and put the best interest of the surviving family first and you’ll be headed in the right direction.

Local Resources:

Good Grief of Northwest Ohio: Provides support services for grieving children, teens and young adults.

Hospice of Northwest Ohio: Provides support groups and workshops.

Monarch Grief Center: Offers individual grief counseling, couples and family grief counseling and more.

Benefits of Pre-Planning Your Arrangements

One of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones is to pre-plan your end-of-life arrangements. This gift is one of peace of mind and is truly unmatched. Only you can give it to them.

There are so many decisions involved in end-of-life planning. Burial or cremation, religious or non-religious ceremonies, just to name a few. Taking the time now to connect with the friendly and helpful staff at Toledo Memorial Park can ease the heaviness of those decisions for your loved ones later.

Taking this step now means reduced stress on your loved ones later allowing them to grieve without making decisions and worrying about costs and funds. It also means the plans will be executed exactly as you planned.

Of course, another big benefit of pre-planning includes locking in today’s prices and avoiding future inflation. This will make such a difference for your loved ones. You get the peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of and they get the future peace of mind knowing you took care of things and everything will be done according to your wishes.

Contact the team at the Park today with any questions you may have. You can call us any time: 419-882-7151

This is a topic we cover often on the Park Blog:

The Right Time for Pre-Planning

Don’t Go Into Debt, Let the Park Help you Pre-Plan

Pre-Planning: Why It Matters

Monroe St. Construction: Alternate Routes to Toledo Memorial Park

The Monroe St. bridge that connects Toledo to Sylvania is now closed for construction through mid-August 2026. Additionally some of the US-23 entrances and exits are also closed. For your convenience, we have pulled together the alternate routes below. Please call us at the Park office if you have any questions at all, 419-882-7151.

Coming from the east side of US-23
Enter US-23 North using the loop ramp on Monroe St. Head north to Sterns Rd. (Exit 1) and return southbound on US-23
Exit at Monroe St. (Exit 234) and head west, turn right into Toledo Memorial Park

Coming from the north via US-23
Exit at Monroe St. (Exit 234) and head west, turn right into Toledo Memorial Park

Coming from the south via 475/US-23
Continue northbound to Sterns Rd. (Exit 1) and return southbound on US-23
Exit at Monroe St. (Exit 234) and head west, turn right into Toledo Memorial Park

When is the Right Time for Pre-Planning?

The answer is today! Pre-planning can be done any time that fits your schedule. The helpful and knowledgeable team at Toledo Memorial Park is available and ready to assist you and answer your questions.

Benefits of pre-planning:

• Lock in today’s prices and avoid inflation.

• Avoid future financial stress for your loved ones.

• Keep things simple for your family in their time of grief.

• Give yourself peace of mind knowing everything is planned.

Here is a previous Park blog with a collection of information on the topic of pre-planning.

We urge you to add end-of-life pre-planning to the list of all future planning you are working on. Give it the same intention you give to other plans. Create a plan that fulfills your wishes while reducing future stress on your loved ones. It’s a great benefit to all of you.

Contact the team at the Park today for more information. Call us any time: 419-882-7151.       

First Generation Funeral Professionals are Emerging

For decades, the funeral profession has been known as a business that tends to be passed down through families and generations. But that’s not always feasible. Is end-of-life an area where first-generation business owners are taking hold? It would seem the answer to that is yes.

In 2019, an American University Radio article showed that most mortuary school graduates were first in their family to join the profession. One student interviewed goes on to say after losing a family member, the funeral director who ran the ceremony and arrangements left a strong impression on her which lead to a shadowing opportunity and later mortuary school.

Ireland is experiencing a similar trend where first-generation young people are joining the funeral industry. According to a 2025 International Business Times story, in 2010, the Iris Assoc. of Funeral Directors said more than half their students came from families within the funeral profession. In 2024 that number shifted significantly to under 10% of their students coming from industry families.

Another explanation for this change in the funeral profession is availability of jobs. A recent story from CNN shows that schools and colleges focusing on the funeral service industry are seeing increased enrollment. These students are experiencing a 90% job  placement rate after graduation.

Regardless of the reason, it’s good to see first-generation young people joining the funeral profession. A friendly and caring face to guide you through this trying process will always be welcome.

If you have any questions about pre-planning funeral arrangements, please contact the supportive and helpful team at Toledo Memorial Park. We’re here to help you.

More information:

American University Radio

International Business Times

CNN

Don’t Go into Debt, Let the Park Help You Pre-Plan Arrangements

A recent USA Today article says too many Americans are uninformed or misinformed about the costs of end-of-life arrangements. Your friends at Toledo Memorial Park never want this to be the case for you.

Pre-planning funeral arrangements can provide you and your loved ones with significant emotional and financial benefits. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), planning and pre-paying for arrangements, also known as preneed planning, helps families create meaningful experiences that reflect their personal wishes while giving their loved ones clarity and confidence navigating what can be a very difficult time. By pre-planning, families can avoid feeling rushed into decisions and avoid having to make so many important choices while grieving the loss of their loved one.

Other important and valid reasons to consider pre-planning:

• Ease future financial burdens for your loved ones.

• Lock in today’s pricing, avoiding inflation.

• The ability to pay over time.

 The friendly and helpful staff at Toledo Memorial Park are always ready and available to talk. Give them a call today, 419.882.7151, with any questions you may have. Remember, pre-planning is an act of care for you and for your family and loved ones.

Planning for Cremation

There are a lot of details that go into pre-planning funeral arrangements and cremation. At the Park, we are here to help you be as prepared as possible.

One very important step while pre-planning cremation is to complete the cremation authorization in advance. This step will save a lot of potential trouble for your loved ones.

Basically, this is an important legal document that, in most states, needs to be signed by your legal next of kin. The cremation authorization gives permission for the cremation to actually happen. In some states, all next of kin must sign the form, so taking care of this step during the preneed process can really help.

Getting this paperwork completed in advance of death checks a lot of the boxes we talk about often on the Park blog. It allows your funeral professional to start the process without waiting. It reduces future stress for your loved ones. It’s also a big part of making sure all of your personal wishes are met.

Bottom line is that your team at the Park is ready and available to help you plan. Even if you’re only in the talking and brainstorming stage, the team can help. Contact us anytime, 419-882-7151.

More about cremation authorization in Ohio.

The Importance of Being Prepared

Pre-planning is a big topic for the team at Toledo Memorial Park. The friendly, caring and helpful family advisors make it their daily mission to guide area families through planning end-of-life arrangements without stress. One of the best ways to realize this is to pre-plan.

One of the best reasons to pre-plan is to make sure your arrangements match your wishes. One husband and wife, who are healthy and in their 40s, decided to make plans after attending a parent’s memorial service. They were so delighted with the way the post-funeral event celebrated the lost loved one and became a happy event that they wanted to make sure their own arrangements looked similar, but skipping the formal chapel ceremony.

Through the discussions that took place after their realization, they learned things about each other’s wishes. They initially differed on final arrangement wants and were able to come together on a plan that suited them both. Without this pre-planning conversation, they might have never learned this important detail.

Of course, there are plenty of good reasons to pre-plan final arrangements:

• Lock in today’s pricing

• Pay over time

• Reduce future stress for loved ones

But the story above is, possibly, the greatest reason to pre-plan. Beyond the obvious and financial reasons, pre-planning to create the type of event you want for yourself is very important. It’s truly a gift to your loved ones in so many ways.

If you have questions about pre-planning or just want to chat, please reach out to the team at the Park. 419.882.715, info@toledomemorialpark.com.