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.

Press Release

Toledo Memorial Park Hosts 13th Annual Wreaths Across America Event 

We honor the past through ceremony and education.  

Sylvania, OH—The annual Wreaths Across America program at Toledo Memorial Park (the Park) is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at noon. The event marks the 13th annual presentation of wreaths at the Park.

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember the fallen; honor those who serve; and to teach the next generation the value of freedom. “We are extremely proud to be a local venue for this important nationwide event,” said Chad Albert, president and CEO of the Park.  “Honoring those who have served our country is a big part of our mission here at the Park each and every day. This event is a wonderful way to show gratitude to our veterans as we close out each year at the Park.” 

Visitors on Dec. 13 will experience a touching ceremony with wreath placement immediately following. This special event remembers and honors veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.

In past years, the Park has placed more wreaths than any venue in Ohio. Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day or inviting your family and friends to attend with you. Specific grave requests at the cemetery can be made by contacting the location coordinator, Mel Harbaugh, at 46elapid@gmail.com to help ensure wreath placement.

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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.

Did you Know there are Ways to Offset Funeral Costs?

We all know end-of-life expenses can add up quickly. We remind you often that pre-planning and locking in today’s prices is a great way to help with this future expense, but often, funerals are a sudden and unexpected cost. Believe it or not, there are ways to help offset the expenses.

The Social Security Administration provides a one-time death benefit of $255 to surviving spouses or dependents. Check to see if you are eligible.

Families with limited income can look into their state’s indigent burial program. If eligible, this can significantly offset costs in some cases. Here is more information on the state of Ohio’s program.  

If the deceased is a veteran, benefits may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Find more information from the VA here.

Additionally, your local faith organization, crowdfunding and life insurance are other options to explore when trying to offset the cost of a funeral and burial.

Of course, your team at the Park is always available to answer questions and to assist with all your pre-planning needs. Just give us a call. 419.882.7151.

Pre-Planning: Why it Matters and How it’s Evolving

We often talk about pre-planning. Because of that, you probably already know the basics. You can lock in today’s pricing, thereby avoiding inflation. It gives you peace of mind knowing everything will be taken care of according to your wishes. And it’s a huge gift to your loved ones, allowing them space to grieve without having a million decisions to make.

But how is pre-planning evolving with time? It’s becoming common practice for Xennials (a microgeneration between Gen X and younger Millennials) and elder Millennials.

We are in the middle of a generational shift. What’s been referred to as the “younger generations” for so long is suddenly not so young. Xennials and elder millennials are starting to think about funeral pre-planning in a big way.

This group is very motivated by taking advantage of today’s pricing and avoiding future inflation. Funeral planning is being rolled right into other financial planning exercises.

The evolution of the availability of information and transparent pricing online is also something this generation of people appreciates. Being able to view everything conveniently and save information for planning right on their phone or other device streamlines the pre-planning process.

The Xennial and Millennial groups are very interested in mental well-being. Preplanning really caters to that lifestyle. It allows for creating a plan and documenting their personal wishes for their funeral/memorial. By doing this, they are reducing future conflict for family and loved ones.

In short, preplanning is becoming something that is included in future planning with intention. No longer something that needs to be planned immediately and under stressful circumstances due to a death, preplanning gives each of us the opportunity to create a plan that suits our personal wishes and needs while reducing future strain on family and loved ones.

As always, feel free to contact the friendly and helpful staff at the Park with any pre-planning questions you have.

Honoring Heroes at Toledo Memorial Park: Annual Wreaths Across America Event is set for December 13

Every December, a Saturday is chosen to place thousands of wreaths on the graves of veterans laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park. These wreaths remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach our children the value of freedom.

Event Details:

Wreaths Across America
Saturday, Dec. 13 at noon
Toledo Memorial Park
6382 Monroe St. Sylvania, OH 43560

Visitors will experience a touching ceremony with wreath placement immediately following.

You can help us honor as many heroes as possible by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering on Wreaths Day or by inviting your family and friends to attend this special event with you. You can even request your sponsored wreath go to a specific grave by contacting the local coordinator, Mel Harbaugh at 419-270-3360 or email: 46elapid@gmail.com.

We truly hope to see you there.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Estate Planning

Having a will and an estate plan is truly a gift to your loved ones. Regardless of your age or wealth status, if you own property, you need a will. Without a valid will, your state of residence could decide how your assets are divided, which might not align with your wishes and intentions.

Estate planning is more than just a will; it’s planning of the uncertainty of the future. In your estate plan you can make your end of life wishes clear, name who should manage your estate, and more. Taking this step can also reduce future legal and tax burdens for your loved ones.

Key Considerations:

Think of this information as a roadmap or a starting point. Every person’s situation is unique, and this is not a substitute for legal advice. Once you have gathered your information, it’s important to seek legal counsel to finalize your estate planning documents.

Inventory All of Your Assets: Make a detailed list of your real estate, bank accounts and investment accounts, vehicles, life insurance, businesses, etc. Take note of retirement accounts and life insurance that can pass via a beneficiary designation.

Decide Who Should Inherit What and How: Be specific in your notes about how you want to distribute your assets.

Name an Executor: This is the person who will carry out all of the instructions in your will. Choose someone trustworthy and capable of this large and important task.

Minors and Guardianships: If you have children or dependents under age 18, your will is where you need to name a guardian to care for them.

Consider Digital Assets: In an increasingly digital age, you need to consider your social media accounts, email accounts and digital photo albums. You could assign tasks related to these items to your executor or you could appoint a separate digital executor to handle these items.

Writing Your Will:

Once you have all of your information and assets organized and collected, you want to hire an estate planning attorney. In some states, you can draft your own will, but hiring a professional greatly reduces the risk of errors.

Safe Sharing and Storage:

You’ll want to keep the original will in a secure, but accessible place such as a safe deposit box or a fireproof home safe. Your executor and trusted family should know where it is and how to access it. You can also provide your executor and trusted family with copies.

Review and Update Regularly:

As life evolves and changes, you should review your will and make updates as needed with your attorney.

Below are sources and additional resources. Please feel free to reach out to your friends at the Park with any questions. We will do our best to help or connect you with someone who can.

Sources and resources:

AARP
U.S. Department of the Interior
American Bar Association

A Guide on How to Be There for a Grieving Friend

When someone you care about loses a loved one, it can be hard to know what to say or do. You may worry about accidentally doing or saying something insensitive. But what really matters most is your presence, your empathy and your willingness to support.

Here are some ways you can help:

Reach Out Early and Continue to Reach Out

• Don’t wait. A simple message acknowledging the loss can mean a lot. Let them know you care and you’re thinking of them.

• Continue to check in over time. Many people offer support in the days right after a loss, but grief often stretches out. Continue reaching out weeks and months later.

• Be consistent but gentle. They might not always respond and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate your gesture.

Listen More, Talk Less

• Let them talk about their loved one. Don’t avoid mentioning the deceased. Naming them helps the bereaved feel their memory is honored.

• Avoid platitudes like “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason.” These often feel dismissive or minimize the loss.

• Acknowledge how hard it is: “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I’m here for you.”

• If they don’t want to talk, sit quietly with them. Sometimes your presence is the kindest gift.

• Don’t rush. There is no right timeline for grief. Let your friend have the space to feel sad, angry, confused or numb.

Offer Practical Help

When someone is grieving, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming. Instead of saying, “Let me know what I can do,” try:

• “I’m going to the grocery store; can I bring you anything?”

• “Can I drop off a meal tonight or help with dishes tomorrow?”

• “Would you like me to handle your mail or pick up something for your pets?”

Remember Important Dates & Milestones

Things like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays can reopen wounds. Mark these on your calendar and reach out, saying something simple like, “I’m thinking of you today. I’m here if you want to talk or just hang out.” Simple gestures like this remind your friend they’re not forgotten.

Encourage Support

You don’t have to be the only support system. If it feels appropriate, over time, gently suggest resources like:

• Grief or bereavement groups (in person or online)

• Counselors or therapists who specialize in grief

Be sensitive. Your friend may or may not be ready to accept those options.

Supporting someone who is grieving is one of the most important roles a friend can take on. You won’t always know the perfect thing to say or do and that’s okay. What matters is your presence, your willingness to listen, your patience and your love.

Your friends at the Park are always available to help and here are a few other resources in case you need more information.

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/grief/how-to-help-a-grieving-friend

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-not-to-say-to-someone-grieving-11765591