It’s never too soon to make your plan
The brief time it takes now for thoughtful planning and making a record of your wishes will become a lasting gift of your love to your family and survivors.
Your Planning Starts Today.
Without instructions, family members may struggle to make your funeral arrangements. Grief and emotional stress make decisions more difficult — and differing views may create conflict. While loved ones may have good intentions, their choices may result in elaborate and costly funeral services — services you never envisioned — which can cause financial hardship to your survivors.
Since 1948, the Cleveland Memorial Society has contracted with selected funeral directors to provide these simple services for a low fixed price.
Direct Cremation
The funeral director will:
Pick up the body at the home/hospital/hospice.
Provide a cremation permit.
Have the body cremated at the earliest possible time that is practicable for the cremator and in accordance with legal requirements.
Arrange for the crematory to dispose of the ashes or return them to the Funeral Director to return to the family or other responsible party.
Assist the family or other responsible party in composing and placing any death notice or obituary.
Assist the family in obtaining a Death Certificate. The family shall be responsible for any direct costs for this Certificate(s).
There shall be no viewing by the family or others, and the remains shall be removed to the crematory by the Funeral Director without the family's presence.
Immediate Burial
The funeral director will:
Pick up the body at the home/hospital/hospice.
Place the body in a casket of the Funeral Director's choice and which is also acceptable to the cemetery.
Refrigerate the remains, but only if necessary to meet legal requirements.
Assist the family or other responsible party in composing and placing any death notice or obituary.
Assist the family in obtaining a Death Certificate(s). The family shall be responsible for any direct costs for this Certificate(s).
Cause the remains to be interred. The Funeral Director may use any casket. There shall be no funeral procession. The family or other parties will not be present at the interment.
All cemetery costs (purchase of gravesite, opening/closing the grave, ongoing maintenance fees if any, burial vault if required) are the responsibility of the member.
Simple Planning
Your responsibilities:
Select one of our contracted funeral directors and a simple service.
Talk with your friends and family. Your loved ones will appreciate knowing your wishes. Share your thoughts about a memorial service.
Put your last wishes in writing. Include information about:
Where you’d like to be buried, or, if you choose cremation, where you’d like your remains scattered or buried.
The name, address and phone number of the funeral director you’ve selected.
Financial arrangements you’ve made to cover the costs of the services.
Other details, including lists of friends and family members to notify of your death, obituary information, preferred charities for memorial donations, music to be played at your memorial service, etc.