Growth in the Market: Continued Expansion of End-of-Life Options

It’s been nearly a year since we last talked about human composting and where the new end-of-life option is legal in the United States. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), nearly 70 percent of people surveyed are interested in exploring greener funeral options. This is from the 2024 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Report. This continual increase in people interested in more sustainable options is important, so we will continue to revisit this topic as it becomes a more mainstream option that is available broadly.

As a quick refresher, environmentally sustainable deathcare is called Natural Organic Reduction (NOR). It is a process where the human body is encapsulated with alfalfa, straw and sawdust, and in approximately ten weeks, soil is created. Last time we discussed the topic it was legal in six states and now, about a year later, it’s legal in 12 states.

Anything new in any market takes time to gain hold. Even in states where NOR is legal, it might be a few years before that’s ready for the public. For instance, in California, the law was passed in 2022, but won’t take effect until 2027. It will also take time for providers to set up the logistics and equipment needed to make the process a reality for the masses.

In the meantime, we can be happy to see growth and evolution in our field. Your friends at Toledo Memorial Park are always ready to answer any questions you may have. Reach out today about the services we provide and helpful pre-planning options.

Cost Transparency and Why it Matters to You

The loss of a loved one is difficult. Full stop. It’s just a fact. Adding the costs associated with end-of-life services is an added layer of stress. Cost transparency is essential to helping people make reasonable and informed decisions during an otherwise emotionally heated period in life.

Unfortunately, there are many stories out there about all the things funeral service providers didn’t disclose or needs and options that weren’t shared up front. One grieving family member shares examples such as not being told she would need to pay extra for a vessel for her loved one’s ashes. Luckily, there has been a movement toward more openness in this area.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a funeral rule that requires funeral and end-of-life service providers to offer itemized pricing through a General Price List (GPL). Under this rule, service providers must provide this information clearly whether a request is made in person or over the phone. A recent undercover FTC phone sweep revealed providers may need a refresher on these seven compliance principles from the Funeral Rule.

1. Respond accurately when people call with price questions.

2. Don’t highlight only package prices.

3. In addition to providing information over the phone, you may supplement that information by sending people price lists or point them to price information available online.

4. Don’t require callers to give their names, addresses, or phone numbers.

5. Don’t misrepresent state or local laws or make other deceptive statements.

6. After-hours price information must be accurate.

7. Consult FTC resources to help comply with the law.

Cost transparency is important for several, very simple reasons:

• It gives consumers the ability to make choices that fit their needs AND their budget.

• It removes the risk of paying for unnecessary extras.

• It builds trust between funeral and end-of-life service providers and families which can lead to long-term relationships.

Compliance with this important FTC rule is good for all involved parties. It’s good for the reputation and longevity of service provider businesses and helps families feel at ease knowing they’ve gotten everything they need for a fair price.

Toledo Memorial Park to Host September 11th Ceremony

MEDIA ALERT
Sept. 3, 2024

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

What: Join Toledo Memorial Park President and CEO Jeff Glegg, City of Sylvania Mayor Graig Stough and Chief Chris Nye of the Sylvania Township Fire Department as they lead a ceremony honoring first responders and the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

Significance: News media and members of the community are invited to attend this ceremony. “Toledo Memorial Park makes an effort to honor veterans and first responders every day,” said Jeff Clegg, president and CEO of the Park. “The 911 First Responders Memorial at the Park serves as an auspicious location for this ceremony and is a constant and important reminder of first responders’ commitment and sacrifice each and every day.”

When: Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 9 a.m.

Where: Toledo Memorial Park at the 911 First Responders Memorial in the northeast corner of the Park.

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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.

Rethinking Death: How Society’s Approach to Grief and Loss are Evolving

Change is good and healthy. Discussions about death are difficult, that part will never change. But the way we talk about it and embracing an openness on the subject can do wonders for how we process loss and move forward.

Emerging Trends:

Open dialogue:
Having an open line of communication about the loss of a loved one is healthy for everyone involved. Discuss the good, the bad and the sad. Long-time hospice chaplain, Meredith Wilson Parfet, says people are “more spiritual but less religious” nowadays. She goes on to say that perhaps the conversation isn’t happening more, but is happening in different places, such as social media, making the topic more accessible on a broad scale.

A Willingness to Preplan:
As people become more open to discussing end of life and loss, there is an equal openness to discussing plans, wants and needs for funeral and burial services. Preplanning funeral arrangements is a topic we talk about often on the Park Blog. There are so many benefits for you and for your family.

Other trends according to the article “5 Evolving Trends on End-of-Life Matters” include an importance placed on funerals by younger generations, increased comfort with the idea of death and communication about preferences for funeral arrangements.

Your friends at Toledo Memorial Park are always available and ready to help and answer questions. Feel free to contact us any time.

FREE Event: Toledo Memorial Park’s Annual Car Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2024

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

Sylvania, OH—Toledo Memorial Park (the Park) will hold their annual car show on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This fun family event benefits the Wreaths Across America program, led locally by your team at the Park.

            “I look forward to the car show every summer,” said Mel Harbaugh, local coordinator of Wreaths Across America. “We celebrate our community while giving back to those who served during this long-standing event.”

            Visitors can expect to see approximately three-to-four hundred unique and classic cars at the event along with food trucks, 50/50 drawings, door prizes and more.

            “The car show has been going for more than a decade, it’s a great bookend to summer here at the Park,” said Jeff Clegg, president of Toledo Memorial Park. “We love our Sylvania community, and the car show is a great example of our dedication to serving the community through events, fulfilling partnerships, supporting other community events and so much more.”

Upcoming Events:
Annual Car Show
Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 25.

Join the Park president, Jeff Clegg and Wreaths Across America local coordinator, Mel Harbaugh for this fun family event and show your support for the community and our local fallen heroes.

Ridin’ Late in County 48
Saturday, Aug. 24:
Slow ride: 8-10 p.m.
Afterparty: 10 p.m.-midnight
Register here

This family friendly slow bicycle ride under the night sky is on a carefully planned route that features neighborhoods, parks and even the Park. Toledo Memorial Park is a proud sponsor of this long-running 9-mile ride event.

Wreaths Across America
Saturday, Dec. 14 at noon

Remember the Fallen. . . Honor those who Serve. . . Teach our children the value of Freedom.

Experience a touching ceremony with wreath placement immediately following at Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum. This special event will remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.

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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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.

A Field of Passion and Dedication: Find Fulfillment in the Death Care Workspace

While there may be a perceived air of sadness and darkness around the idea of the death care industry, what you’ll find if you ask those who work in the field is quite the opposite. This important service field consists of many types of jobs. From funeral directors, to embalmers, to counselors and more, you’ll find people who care and are fulfilled by helping you and your family through a difficult time.

Abigail Price, a celebrant from the United Kingdom, says most people who inquire about her work say things like, “I don’t know how you do it.” But she goes on to say helping families is her favorite part of the job. She comments that they often find themselves laughing and happy together as they discuss precious memories of their loved one while planning a service.

Christa Ovenell, who decided to change her career path to the death care field at age 50, says, “The main reason I became a funeral director was to help people understand and deal with death & dying differently.” Ovenell embraces the ability to plan and prepare for death and feels education is the key to embracing this unavoidable part of life.

This is exactly what you will find locally when you work with Toledo Memorial Park (the Park). The team of professionals at the park are ready to help. They can answer your questions and connect you with the right people. Contact the Park today to discuss preplanning or to have any questions you may have answered.

Benefits of Prepaying Your Own Funeral

We discuss a lot of difficult topics surrounding death and dying on the Park blog. We’ve talked about pre-planning funeral arrangements before, but today we are diving a little deeper to talk about the benefits of prepaying for your own funeral.

Find your peace of mind

Like any big life event, a funeral is an important and auspicious day. If you have specific desires for the day, the best way to make that happen is to pre-plan and prepay. Making this decision gives you the opportunity to plan all of the details. Some people find this comforting and to be an act of taking care of their loved ones. The funeral providers you choose will carry out the proceedings exactly as you wish.

Simplify things for your family

Losing a loved one is already so hard. Moving right into planning funeral arrangements only adds to their stress and sadness. Prepaying your funeral costs removes this burden from your family. You are gifting them the time to grieve and support each other without trudging through the funeral planning process. They won’t have to make quick decisions and worry about the associated costs.

Avoid family disputes

Because of the heavy emotions that come with grief and loss, unwanted disputes can arise during the stressful planning process. With prepaid arrangements, there is no opportunity for disagreements about plans and money. The plans are clearly made, the family can focus on remembering the good times and start healing.

Financial stability

Prepaying now means the costs are covered by today’s price. Funeral costs increase with inflation, locking in now could save your family significant money. Connect with your financial advisor to discuss the different options available to you for prepaying, such as life insurance.  

Choosing to prepay for your funeral is a very practical decision. It’s becoming more common and people are talking about it, which helps. This decision makes financial sense, it’s helpful to your loved ones, it makes sure your wishes are honored and it can avoid added family stress and drama. If you have questions, the friendly staff at the Park can always help. Reach out today.

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.