Planning a Burial Service

Planning a burial in Toronto, ON can be an overwhelming task. It requires careful consideration of many different factors, from choosing a funeral home and cemetery to deciding on the type of service and burial arrangements. It is essential to understand all the options available to make the best decisions for your loved one. With careful planning and research, you can ensure that the final resting place of your loved one is one that brings peace and comfort. This guide will provide you with the necessary information to help you plan a burial in Toronto, Woodbridge, and Maple, ON.

Toronto Burial Services — Helping You Plan

When it comes time to make final care arrangements on behalf of a deceased family member you may be surprised to learn of the benefits of well-crafted burial services. During the arrangement conference with one of our experienced funeral directors you'll have the opportunity to discuss the features and benefits of funeral burial planning & graveside services, and look at the top four reasons why families choose this option:

Simplicity

Many people today strive for greater simplicity in their lives; a natural, uncluttered, uncomplicated life. This is a desire which is nothing new to the human heart. With a focus on what is most important, the simplicity of graveside services does just that.

The Natural Setting

What better place to celebrate the life of a loved one than under the open sky, beneath trees, or beside beautiful flowers. No matter the type of cemetery that your loved one's burial services is held at, the emotional and spiritual comforts of the natural surroundings will be felt.

Religious Requirements

There are profound religious reasons families choose burial plan over any other final care service option. For example, the Christian concept of resurrection of the body is deeply held by many and makes burial an act of religious ceremony.

The Importance of Witnessing

As mentioned earlier, human societies of all times and in all places have incorporated burial into their cultural or religious practices. This long-lived social relationship with burial has resulted in a core belief shared among peoples around the globe: burial is an act of respect, made most meaningful when witnessed.    

What's Involved in Planning a Graveside Service in Toronto?

Let's look at what's involved in planning a burial service; we've broken down the discussion into three important questions that need to be answered:
  1. Which cemetery will the burial take place and where will the burial plot be in that cemetery?
  2. Which casket and burial vault will be chosen?
  3. How are the details of the graveside service to be planned out?

Which cemetery will the burial take place and where will the burial plot be in that cemetery? 

There may be families where the deceased loved one may have already chosen and purchased a burial plot or mausoleum crypt. If this is the case, documents proving ownership of burial rights are required when making the funeral arrangements.

If there is no such pre-plan in place, then you will need to choose a cemetery and select the burial property as part of the arrangements. Purchasing a burial plot is not a common transaction for many so below you will find some tips on how to purchase cemetery property: 
  • When you purchase a cemetery property, such as a burial plot or mausoleum crypt, you are actually buying the right to inter (or bury) an individual (or individuals) in that location. The property you now have the rights over remains the property (and the responsibility) of the cemetery administration.
  • A stated portion of the money you pay for these interment rights will be contributed to an irrevocable fund used in the on-going care of the cemetery grounds.
  • The burial plan, as well as any future commemorative visits you make to the location will be subject to the specific by-laws as written by the cemetery administration.
  • Just like when you buy a house, the cost of burial property rights range widely in price, depending on the exact location of the plot or crypt. If you have time, you can certainly find resale "deals" on cemetery property; but if you're not shopping far in advance of need, this may not be of help to you.
  • There are also other costs involved with the burial of a loved one, such as the fees charged by the cemetery for the "opening and closing" of the site, the headstone or grave marker and its installation, and the purchase of a casket and burial vault.
Because we have strong working relationships with local cemetery administrators, we can help you with this part of the process. Please call us at 905-850-3332 for assistance.

Which casket and burial vault will be chosen?

 You will typically read that the casket is the single most expensive purchase you'll need to make during this time. And while there are many options ranging in prices, we can certainly help you select the casket that best suits your budget. Here at Vescio Funeral Home, we offer a wide selection of caskets and burial vaults for you to choose from, and we work closely with all families to ensure the cost of your loved one's service is kept within your family's budget.

The cost of the casket is based largely on the type of casket selected. Some of the things that influence the price of a casket are material, design, and any embellishment. We breakdown each of these below. 

Material: You may think material is divided between metal or hardwood but there are so many options for both. Fine hardwood caskets include varying types of wood including walnut, cherry, maple, oak, pine, and many others, all with different price points. Metal caskets vary in thicknesses and also come in a wide array of finishes, both of which impact the price.

Design: Caskets, more so than burial vaults, have many design elements that are added in the finishing process. Selecting a casket that's design is more intricate and complex would result in a higher price point compared to a casket that has a much more simple design.

Embellishments:  Embellishments on a casket can include artwork on the interior panel, on the corner plates, or even changing the material of the bed inside to something more luxurious. Each of these impacts the price and add to the total cost of a casket. 

We encourage you to research and discover which type of casket works best for you and your budget. If you should need any assistance or have any questions about selecting a casket and a burial vault, please feel free to reach out to us.

How are the details of the graveside service to be planned out?

These details depend on various components including religious faith and/or emotional needs. With this said, Vescio Funeral Home will come to planning process with no limitations so as to guide you through your expectations and provide you with the burial service you expect.

Together we'll determine the best date and time for the burial service in Toronto, and the most meaningful readings and songs to be featured. We will also discuss who you would like to have lead the service; it could a member of the clergy, a celebrant, family member, or close friend.

The selection of the cemetery and burial plot are practical decisions, however planning the service is where the heart can take over. Your funeral director remain with you for as long as it takes to help you -- he or she will explore your loved one's life so you may find the essence of who they were, all in the effort to craft the most memorable burial service.

Natural Burials

What are they and how do they work?

Natural burial is a newer and up and coming popular choice among those who are wishing to leave the planet a little better off than when they got here. A green burial focuses on the use of chemicals and resources that are an eco-friendly alternative rather than utilizing traditional methods which are quite harsh to the environment. What are some ways you can make a burial more eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint?

  • Request no embalming. If you are planning on having a traditional funeral service this may be tricky but can be accomplished through refrigeration and other environmentally friendly treatments.
  • Seek out a green burial cemetery. Now that natural burials are becoming more popular cemeteries are being requested to designate portion of their properties to green burials. 
  • Use environmentally friendly, sustainable materials when making decisions. Even if it's something as small as using biodegradable plates and cutlery at a reception, each little bit counts. If you're thinking about cremation and plan on burying the urn, consider an eco-friendly, biodegradable urn option.
Interested in learning more about your green burial options? Talk to us about how to make your burial service as environmentally friendly as you would like. 

We're Here to Help with Your Toronto Burial Services

The professional funeral directors at Vescio Funeral Home listen attentively and understand the feelings each family is experiencing. When you call us at 905-850-3332 for assistance in making the necessary arrangements for a graveside service, you'll discover the value of having our experienced and compassionate funeral directors assisting you during this very difficult time.