Avoid Scams: What You Need to Know

Scams are a very unfortunate part of our reality. We’ve all heard about bank scams and scam phone calls, but scams can run through almost any industry or topic. The death of a loved one is an already very difficult time, the last thing you need to deal with is unscrupulous people exploiting that vulnerability. Let us help you stay aware of potential scams and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Streaming Services:

One funeral director warns of a scam he uncovered where funeral service live streaming was being advertised on social media. The scam alert on this one is that bank details were being requested upfront. Anytime payment is requested upfront before anything else, it’s a big red flag.

High-Pressure Sales Tactics

A good funeral director or funeral service provider will never pressure you for sales. Look for a provider that is caring and understanding during this time in your life. Take your time, ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable with your salesperson.

Misleading Prices

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), funeral homes are required to provide a general price list. If the provider you’re working with doesn’t willingly provide this information, it may be time to leave. Don’t be afraid to compare prices.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Plan Ahead: Planning funeral arrangements for yourself or a loved one in advance is an excellent way to take the pressure off of yourself while making these important financial decisions. It also allows you to compare prices and make decisions with a clear and focused head. Toledo Memorial Park can help.

• Get Multiple Quotes: Ask questions and get quotes from multiple places. It’s the best way to gain a clear picture of the situation and what is needed.  

• Understand Your Rights and What is Required: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the FTC’s rules. It clearly lays out your rights and the obligations on the funeral providers to help guide you when it’s time to make these important decisions.

Bottom line here is to keep yourself informed on the topic of funeral planning so that you are ready to make focused decisions when the time comes. Your friends at the Park are available and ready whenever you have questions or need to make arrangements.

The Rules around Scattering Ashes

There are a lot of rules and regulations in place for end-of-life processes and procedures. Scattering ashes is a topic that comes up for many people. It’s a lovely and meaningful way to honor a loved one in an extremely personal way. The last thing you want to deal with is trouble while trying to memorialize your lost loved one, so we’ve gathered some helpful information on the topic.

Understanding Federal Laws

While there aren’t really any federal laws specific to scattering ashes, there are regulations for scattering at sea. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states scattering must be done a minimum of three nautical miles from shore. Also noted in the burial at sea information from the EPA is that scattering on inland waters may require a special permit from your state.

Understanding State and Local Laws and Regulations

This is a bit more complicated because the laws and regulations around scattering ashes vary considerably from place to place.

Public Lands:

National Parks: Scattering ashes is allowed in most national parks with a permit. You’ll need to reach out to the specific park you have in mind to obtain the proper paperwork.

State Parks: Scattering ashes on public land is generally permissible in many states, Ohio and Michigan included, but checking into permits with state and local parks is recommended.  

Private Property: Obtain written consent to scatter ashes with the owner.

Final tips:

• Research the laws in the municipality where you intend to scatter ashes.

• Obtain any necessary permits.

• Respect the environment by following the guidelines in place for the location where you plan to scatter.

• Communicate with your family to make sure you are respecting the wishes of your loved one.

Like so many things in life, good planning will make sure scattering your loved one’s ashes goes well. In addition to the tips and helpful information above, we also suggest checking with your preferred cemetery because many places, like Toledo Memorial Park, have designated scattering areas that are serene and beautiful places to memorialize your loved one.

Spring Has Sprung at Toledo Memorial Park

According to local news, April was the rainiest April on record for the Toledo area. The previous record was set in 1929. The grounds and plants at Toledo Memorial Park surely appreciate it.

In early spring, the grounds crew spends their time trimming and cleaning flower bed areas to prepare for perennial regrowth and for the spring bulbs to flower. As the weather warms and the bulbs begin to poke through the dirt giving us something beautiful to enjoy, the crew moves on to planting annuals.

As the weather continues to become delightfully warm and sunny, we invite you to take a stroll through the Park to enjoy the beauty of spring with us.

Your friends at Toledo Memorial Park here for you all year whether it’s time to plan a funeral, make final resting arrangements or if it’s to take some time to yourself with a walk amongst the flowers in the sun. Give us a call if we can help.

Grief is Complex: Understanding Paths Toward Healing and Diverse Funerary Traditions

Grief is a bit of a conundrum because while it is a universal experience, it’s also deeply personal, and how we process grief is unique to each person. Taking the time to understand the differences in funerary traditions and the varying needs of a person suffering grief will help you prepare for your own future needs, but also help you to support the people around you.

Processing Grief:

Grief can take time. It’s important to take the time you need to process grief. Everyone’s timeline for this will be personal and very different. Whether you or your loved one moves through the process quickly or requires a lot of time, both situations are totally valid and should be respected.

It’s okay to seek support. Support shows itself in many forms. Family and friends are a great option for many, but some people do better with therapy, counseling and grief support groups. Grief Share is a great resource for finding a support group in your area.

Other ways to help yourself or a grieving loved one is to keep up with self-care, look for creative outlets, maintain daily routines and set boundaries, among other things that bring comfort.

For some, like in this article, the mere opportunity to fully express their grief helped to bring relief. The author explains that being able to attend funerals as a child helped him process the loss of a loved one. So he, in turn, gave the same opportunity to his own son. By doing so, he encountered unexpected criticism. His son was close with the deceased, and he felt strongly that being allowed to express grief in the moment would have a positive outcome for his child.

This brings up the importance of being respectful of funerary traditions and the personal choices people make around funerals.

Funerary Expectations and Traditions:

Cultural traditions bring diversity to funerals. Western cultures tend to lean toward a ceremony followed by burial or cremation internment at a cemetery. Other cultures may incorporate their own symbolism and ancestral practices. Because the world is becoming more and more diverse, these traditions overlap and become blended as we evolve.

Bringing children to a funeral. This is a deeply personal decision. Perhaps the child was very close to the deceased or maybe the parent doesn’t have childcare available. Whatever the reason, criticism of this choice only leads to hurt feelings.

Traditional versus non-traditional. In the modern times in which we live, tradition can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Decisions around religious and non-religious, burial and cremation, all should earn respect and kindness during the difficult time the family is experiencing.

When it comes to grief and funeral expectations, you are best served by having none. Respect the wishes and decisions the family and other funeral attendees make. You may not know the whole story. You might even be surprised by the wishes of the deceased as in this story.

The Importance of Life Insurance for Women

In a world where the only constant is change, women are being empowered to take charge of their futures. Women play vital roles in so many areas of life. They are full-time workers, caregivers, entrepreneurs and so much more. Women are learning to safeguard their financial future in a variety of ways, but life insurance is often overlooked. According to the 2021 Insurance Barometer Study, just 47 percent of women (compared to 58 percent of men) carry life insurance.

Unfortunately, the gap in women covered by life insurance falls in line with other gaps women face. The wage gap, the disproportionate number of women who perform unpaid labor and a lack of confidence in their own financial literacy. Fortunately, people are talking about this topic in many places and on many platforms, so change is on the horizon.

Financial Security

It’s a well-known fact that life can be unpredictable. Life insurance is an excellent way to create a safety net for the family. We often speak on this blog about easing the burden on loved ones, life insurance is a way to do exactly that. The money can cover mortgage payments, childcare needs, day-to-day expenses and more.

Tailor Coverage to Your Needs

Life insurance is very customizable. From a primary caregiver, to a business owner, to a stay-at-home parent, there is a policy out there that will meet everyone’s needs. Choose between term life insurance that provides affordable coverage for a specific period of time and return-of-premium life insurance which can serve as protection for your loved ones and as a long-term financial investment in your future.

Feel Empowered

Women are increasingly taking charge of their finances.  Life insurance is just one piece of that puzzle. Adequate, tailored coverage can give women peace of mind (another topic we love here at the Park) knowing they have taken the steps to protect their loved ones and their own financial future.

Life insurance gives women control. Making this investment in their future allows women to make sure their families are provided for; their legacy is preserved and their own financial future is intact. Take charge of the constant change of life with the security offered by life insurance coverage.

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

Toledo Memorial Park Leads the State for Wreaths Placed during National Wreaths Across America Events 

The venue ranked first for wreaths placed in Ohio and ninth for the country.

Sylvania, OH— In 2023, Toledo Memorial Park (the Park) placed more than nine thousand wreaths on veteran graves making the venue the number one Wreaths Across America location in the state of Ohio and put them in the top ten for the whole country. The annual Wreaths Across America event at the Park takes place every December.

            “This is such an honor for the Park and everyone who volunteers as a part of our Wreaths Across America event,” said Jeff Clegg, president and CEO of the Park. “This is a long-standing event for Toledo Memorial Park and I’m delighted by how much it has grown.

            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. The Park works to honor the legacy of first responders and veterans every day and this annual event serves as a capstone of that dedication each year. The 2024 event is scheduled for Dec. 14 at noon.

            Help the Park honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible in 2024 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.

Funeral Homes as Important Pillars of our Community

Funeral homes serve the community in myriad ways by providing the vital services that support families during a difficult and even stressful time. Often long-standing members of the community, these businesses understand the needs of the people they serve.

Primarily, the funeral home you choose will assist you in making logistical funeral arrangements. They will help coordinate services such as embalming, cremation, burial, etc., all based on your personal traditions and choices. They can also assist with necessary paperwork. Having a trusted professional to aid in these tasks and decisions can really help carry you through this unusually stressful period in life.

Aside from the to-do checklist referenced above, the funeral home provides a physical space for visitations and funeral services. The space will allow you time to be with loved ones, to mourn and share memories. Be sure to set boundaries with your funeral director around private spaces, like the family room, to allow yourself a place to escape to for periods of silence and respite. The funeral director can enforce boundaries, helping you minimize stress during the funeral.

As you’re planning and working with the team, be sure to inquire about other services. The funeral director and staff will have wonderful recommendations regarding support services within the community such as grief counseling and like-minded cultural or religious/non-religious support groups. The funeral home team provide a certain level of compassionate care that you won’t find elsewhere.

From end-of-life logistics and necessities to long-term support services, your local funeral home is here to help you. Think of them and the entire team as a partnership offering support, guidance and comfort to you and your family.

More on Etiquette: Cemetery Tips

We’ve been working through some basic funeral tips and etiquette over the past few months here on the blog. Today, we dive into cemetery dos and don’ts. As with any event related to end-of-life, respect is critical.

First and probably the simplest preparation you can do is to take a moment to check out the website of the site you’ll be visiting. For instance, at the Park, we have a website page dedicated to rules and regulations. Once you are on site, be sure to follow posted rules. Often these postings will note visiting hours, flower placement rules or simply be your guide to staying in the areas designated for visitors.

While attending a ceremony at a cemetery, be sure to keep conversation to a minimum, avoid any disruptive behavior and move children to the back of the setting if they are having a difficult time. Find ways to be helpful to the grieving family where possible.

When visiting a cemetery for reasons outside of a ceremony, be respectful of other people’s personal space. Do not accidentally or intentionally interrupt a person’s mourning or contemplative reflection. If a ceremony is in progress in the cemetery, keep a reasonable distance to allow for privacy.

Another seemingly simple, but important guideline is to leave the cemetery the way you found it. Do not leave trash and avoid actions that could damage the grounds.

Some community cemeteries like Toledo Memorial Park offer events and other uses of the facilities such as maps for walking and running. You are encouraged to take advantage of these offerings, but please remember the above etiquette suggestions still apply.

By acting in a respectful manner while visiting a cemetery you are helping to keep the facilities beautiful, peaceful and functional for everyone who uses them.

The Importance and Freedom of Pre-Planning Funeral Arrangements

We speak frequently here about how difficult it is to lose a loved one and hopefully by now you know this is a safe place to discuss difficult topics. A simple step to consider today is pre-planning your own end-of-life arrangements. Taking on this task now can ease so much added stress and even save money for your family in the future. It’s also a great opportunity to make sure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes.

It Shows Care for Your Loved Ones

Reduce the need for your family to make decisions under emotional duress by pre-planning. Grief is already so hard. Pre-planning your arrangements allows family and friends the space they need to support each other and move through the grieving process without having to spend time and energy on logistics and financial decisions.

It Makes Good Financial Sense for Today and Tomorrow

Financial preparation is really key here. Pre-planning allows you to lock in today’s prices, saving money by avoiding inflation. This helps protect your family from having to make financial decisions and incur additional costs down the road. 

It Allows You to Have Input in this Important Life Event

Taking the time to plan in advance gives you the opportunity to consider your own personal preferences. You’ll be able to choose the type of burial, location and all the details so that your wishes are well documented and easily executed. You’ll even be able to document your thoughts on readings, music and the type of services you prefer. It gives you a sense of control over this ceremonious event, but as noted above, it also releases your loved ones from making the decisions under stress.

There are many benefits to taking the time to pre-plan for yourself. Let the experts at Toledo Memorial Park guide you through the process. You’ll be able to explore both ground burial and cremation services options with a level head and can know you are ensuring your wishes are met and respected while reducing the burden on your family.

Supporting Young Hearts: The Grieving Process and Children

We all know there is no one, correct way to grieve. It’s different for everyone. When children are involved, it adds an additional layer to the process as they often don’t have the ability to articulate the way they feel, and it requires a grieving adult to be able to table their own process to provide support to the child. One funeral director lays out tips for helping families and children through the coping process.

Patience is the first thing the funeral director mentions. Being patient with children attending a service is key. One suggestion offered by the director is something we’ve discussed in our funeral etiquette series several times now and that’s to lean on the funeral home staff. Ask them for tips such as how to explain the open casket to children. Funeral home staff also often have resources available for children such as paper and coloring supplies. This can give the child a way to express themselves and offer a brief moment of respite for the adult.

Bring a delicate balance of honesty and comfort when supporting children. Open communication helps to create a safe space for them to express their emotions. Encourage them to share their thoughts, fears and memories. Use simple and clear language to help navigate the situation in an age-appropriate way. Let them know it's okay to feel sad, angry or confused. All feelings are valid.

Another tip is to inform older children they can exit the space at any moment and have another adult, such as a family friend, available to take younger children if it becomes clear they need a break. Having the dedicated immediate family-only rule that we’ve mentioned in past blogs for the family room is particularly helpful for this.

A story from verywell family explains that when a child is grieving it can be difficult to tell. The article goes on to say, “Kids process and display complex emotions differently than adults.” Things to look out for in children include new clinginess, regression, trouble at school, sleep issues and more.

The bottom line is that grief is a complicated and challenging emotion, and it can be difficult to support children during this time. Accept help from the funeral staff, watch for seemingly unusual signs of grief and consider professional grief counseling. All of these tips will go a long way for both the adults and children suffering the grieving process.