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.