Trinity Memorial Gardens

When you think of the word "undertaker," do you think of a sinister and mysterious character from a Charles Dickens story? Do you see a figure wearing a dark hood and lurking in the shadows, waiting to do some dastardly deed? You're probably not alone in making that assumption; after all, when it comes to planning a funeral, the word "undertaker" might not be a term you often encounter. It probably makes you think you're a character in a 19th-century tale! Cake.com explains how the term undertaker first came to be - during the Civil War, undertakers followed armies, and they did NOT have a good reputation. While they referred to themselves as doctors, no formal medical training was required to embalm a body or bury it at that time. In 1917, a small number of American undertakers organized a group called the National Selected Morticians. They undertook a "rebranding," if you will, and changed commonly used terminology to help others see their profe...

“I don’t know if I should go.” It’s something that many people say to themselves when it comes to attending a funeral. It’s a sensitive subject that must be treated delicately, and the rules of etiquette around funeral attendance can be confusing. Not only must your personal relationship to the deceased and their family be considered, but given the current state of the world and the ongoing pandemic, the state of your current health and the potential risk you pose to others must also be considered. Your friends at Trinity Memorial Gardens have come up with a quick reference guide for you to use if you are asking yourself “Should I go?” before an upcoming funeral.    When You Should Attend the Funeral  According to Funeral Wise , a general rule of thumb is that you should attend a funeral if the deceased is a close friend or family member, the bereaved is a close friend or family member, or you want to show support for the person’s loved ones. You should also attend the fu...

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult parts of life, and planning a funeral for a loved one can be extremely stressful. On top of dealing with grief, funeral planning can be anxiety inducing for both first-time and longtime funeral planners. Whether you’re planning a funeral for a close friend or a family member, it’s likely that at some point you will have to plan a funeral for someone you know, and it’s important that you know what goes into that.  Generally speaking, there are 3 major parts to planning a funeral: preparing the body, planning the ceremony, and making interment plans. But what does that entail exactly, and what kind of planning goes into that? Here are some of the most important steps you need to take when making funeral arrangements:  Pre-Arrangements. Before you start making any decisions yourself, you should see if the deceased made any pre-arrangements for their funeral. This could include what they want to happen to their body, their final res...

Everyone who has ever spent time at a cemetery knows that there are certain things you should do and things you shouldn’t. Whether it is the kind of flowers to bring, or how to behave when mourning the loss of a loved one, these Dos and Don'ts can make all the difference between having a great visit or an awkward one. In this blog post we will go over some dos and don'ts for visiting cemeteries so that your experience is respectful, memorable, and enjoyable! The first and most obvious rule is to never litter. It may be tempting to throw that wrapper or piece of gum on the ground, but it's just disrespectful for someone who has made a huge contribution to your life. Make sure you have a trash bag handy so that you can properly discard anything when finished with it! Keep children in check and set rules before you visit a cemetery. It's never too early to teach your children the importance of respecting cemeteries and other people who have passed on. Keep a respectful dis...

  Picking a headstone to memorialize one’s life is more important than you think. Whether you’re choosing one for yourself or for a loved one, picking a headstone can be a great step in the grieving process to help you honor your loved one. Though you definitely want to choose something that you/your loved one would love and reflects their personal taste, you also want a headstone that will be classic and timeless.  There are many elements of a headstone for you to choose from that you’ll want to consider before you make a final purchase. While you should always read the rules and restrictions of the cemetery you’ve chosen, as well as stay in a comfortable budget, here are some tips to help you choose the perfect headstone:  Design. There are many headstone designs that you can choose from that you may not even be aware of! These options include flat markers (traditional, in-ground, lawn level markers), bevel markers (flat markers, with the top at an angle so it’s above ...

  Whether you are making burial arrangements for yourself or a loved one, choosing a cemetery and plot can be a difficult decision. If you’re planning for yourself, you may have already considered that you’d like to be buried in your home town, in a plot with other family members, etc. But what if you’re making burial plans for a loved one who passed away without making their wishes known? How do you choose the right cemetery and plot? Here are some important things to consider: Cemetery Location If the person who died will be buried in a cemetery , the first thing to figure out is where. Many people purchase cemetery plots while they’re alive, in which case the cemetery has already been chosen. If the person who died did not purchase or choose a cemetery plot, consider where he or she would have liked to have been buried. While many people want to be buried in the place they lived, others prefer to be buried in the place they grew up, or in the place they were born. Also, cons...

When it comes to our afterlife, there is no easy answer. While you may have indicated your wishes before your death, the ultimate decision comes down to your family. The decision is also affected by your budget, religious and personal beliefs, and other intangible factors.  The decision to cremate is on the rise. According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) , the rate has grown from 48.6 in 2015, expecting to rise to 54.3 by 2021. A recent study by Harris Poll, commissioned by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC,) reported that 65% of Americans were definitely or likely to choose to be cremated. The rise in popularity is often thought of because cremation cost is considered less expensive. While this is most likely the case, other “ala carte” options often increase the price, where it’s higher than a traditional burial cost. Both cremation and burial have pros and cons. We’ve narrowed down the pros and cons for you to make an informed decision:...