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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference between The Gardens and similar cemeteries in South Florida?

The Gardens of Boca Raton is unique for many reasons. The centrally located location, just off I-95 in the heart of Boca Raton, serves South Florida from Miami to Jupiter. It is an above-ground cemetery that has two beautiful Mausoleum buildings that are fully air conditioned, and it also houses an indoor chapel for services. The property also has outdoor Mausoleums set in its idyllic gardens, with a family-owned facility that caters to all faiths.


Why should we go above ground verses in-ground?

South Florida is unique in that the water table is not that far below ground level. With that in mind, even properly sealed caskets will eventually leak. Our Mausoleum-style crypts give you and your family much-needed peace of mind. You also have the opportunity to be easily laid to rest with a loved one.


Pre-arrangements vs. at-need?

While we all procrastinate, leaving arrangements to the last minute creates untold stress on loved ones who, along with the grief of losing a loved one, now have to plan a funeral. Not only are you leaving your family with unnecessary stress, but they’re also being left with financial stress. Last-minute funerals cost more than ones that are pre-arranged. Preplanning a funeral allows you to dictate the type of funeral you would like to have and prepaying for it removes a financial burden from your family.


Where does my money go

The Gardens is fully licensed by the state, and a portion of the money from every burial on the property goes into a state-controlled trust fund. The interest on that fund guarantees that the property will be maintained and your final resting place will be kept in pristine condition for years to come. For more information regarding the trust fund, contact The Gardens of Boca Raton directly.


Why have a burial in South Florida vs up north?

Many people may choose to return to where they grew up for their final resting place, But if you were a resident for any time in South Florida, many of the people who you would want to attend your service would be here. Being interned here also makes it easier for your immediate family to visit.


Can The Gardens make all the arrangements for me?

The Gardens of Boca Raton can be considered a one-stop location. While it is not customary to think of a location like this to offer concierge services, consider all that goes into planning a funeral. From dealing with the hospital to obtain the death certificate, to working with a funeral director to move and prepare the body, to organizing a chapel for the service, The Gardens takes care of it all. That also includes arranging for flowers and limos to ensuring that this sad and stressful time is dealt with by professionals who truly care to make the time as easy on the family as possible. Many of these details can be pre-planned, which makes it so much easier on the family.


Do we have to put an obituary in the newspaper?

You do not have to submit an obituary to the local newspaper if you choose not to. We actually recommend you don’t submit an obituary, considering the influx of predatory phone calls that can happen after it is published. Your privacy is paramount to us and we will honor your wishes.


Can The Gardens do services after hours?

Yes! While the property does have set hours for the gates to be open, it is available to do after-hours services if it satisfies the wishes of the family. If asked, we can provide not only after-hour times, but also a secure location to an approved guest list to ensure a private and safe environment to remember your loved one.


Is this a non-denominational facility?

The Gardens of Boca Raton can handle all denominations and faiths. One of our Mausoleum buildings is dedicated to the Jewish Faith while the other Mausoleum caters to all faiths. Contact us for more details.


Are there in-ground options?

No. The property solely caters to above-ground burials


What are the hours at The Gardens of Boca Raton?

Our hours are the following:

– Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm
– Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 4pm


What is an Irrevocable Trust?

An Irrevocable Trust is a vehicle in which your assets (in this case, your prepaid funeral and cemetery expenses) are protected from creditors. Technically, prepaying for your funeral is an asset, but it is still protected. Speak with your financial and/or estate planner today and protect your assets.


How early should I plan my pre-need arrangements?

When should I start preplanning? While it is never too early to plan, barring something unforeseen, it is best left until you have firmly planted your roots in an area. Once you realize this area is most likely where you would like to spend a majority of your life, then you should start planning. Where your children decide to settle could also impact your decision. While it is never too early, it is probably best as you approach retirement age to start planning. It is important to note that even if you buy space at The Gardens at Boca Raton, and you change your mind, you are then able to sell that space.


What is a mausoleum?

A mausoleum is usually an above-ground, free-standing building built with crypts and other types of burial compartments to hold caskets or cremation urns. Mausoleums can vary in size, design, and purpose. For example, there are family-owned mausoleums designated for one family and its members. But, there are also community mausoleums that have space for multiple individuals.


What Is A Niche?

Also known as a cremation niche, these are above-ground burial spaces used to place cremation urns. There are sealed cremation niches that can’t be opened, and glass niches that can be open at the family’s wish to personalize the objects in the niche.


What Is A Crypt?

Traditionally, a crypt is a stone chamber beneath the floor of a church used as a burial place or a chapel. A crypt contains coffins or urns. Crypts also refer to a space in a mausoleum designated to hold cremated or caskets.


What Is a Family Estate Bench (Memorial Bench)?

A family estate bench, also known as a memorial bench is a different way to memorialize loved ones. Family benches are monuments often placed near gardens or lakes. These benches also have the space to place a cremation urn inside the foundation of the bench, turning them into another burial option for families. A memorial bench often features a plaque or an inscription that includes the name of the family, the deceased’s name, important dates, and in some cases a short quote.


What Is A Funeral Service?

A funeral service is services provided by a Funeral Director, which includes family consulting, funeral planning, transportation, refrigeration, and in many cases embalming of the remains. Funeral services also include preparing and filing death notices, obtaining the required permits and authorizations by the city, coordinating with the cemetery, crematory, and other third party involved in the funeral arrangements.


Frequently asked questions | Videos

What are some of the ways you can personalize a service at The Gardens

Family counselor Laura Tennenhouse discusses some of the ways you can customize and hence personalize a service for your loved one. From releasing birds, live streaming of the service to special music, The Gardens will work with you to make the service memorable

Can I still have a religious service if I don’t go to a local church?

If your family were not regular parishioners at a local church or synagogue or maybe just considered yourself non-denominational, you can still have a service for your loved one presided by a Priest, Deacon or Rabbi. Deacon Greg Sherman discusses how he approaches creating a religious service for someone who is non-denominational that will make everyone feel comfortable

Storing and displaying the ashes of a loved one.

Funeral Director Garrett Jacobs discusses the Vatican’s latest comments regarding the keeping of ashes at home rather than at a place where they will be memorialized.

Why it is so important to make arrangements ahead of time.

While it may be an uncomfortable topic, pre planning your funeral arrangements along with paying for it has many advantages. Owner Garrett Jacobs notes that not only will your arrangements be followed just as you wish but pre planning alleviates all the stress from your children or family to make the difficult decisions after your loss.

How can I personalize the service for a loved one?

Deacon Greg Sherman explains the types of things a family can request to personalize a service for a loved one.

The Gardens of Boca Raton is a family affair.

Funeral Director and The Gardens of Boca Raton owner Garrett Jacobs discusses how the business is a family affair with his wife, brother and now son in mortuary school.

Why pre planning is so important

Family Service Counselor Laura Tennenhouse explains why it’s so important to lay out your final wishes if only to remove the stress of making your surviving spouse or children have to make difficult decisions while they are grieving your loss.

The Gardens of Boca Raton & the Boca Raton Funeral Home

Owner Garrett Jacobs discusses the many benefits of working with a local family-owned and operated Funeral Home. This means that whether you are pre planning your funeral arrangements or if have had a sudden death in the family, just one call means that all your arrangements will be taken care of.

Why “above ground” burials is more appropriate in Florida.

The Gardens of Boca Raton owner Garrett Jacobs talks about why Mausoleum or “above ground” burials in Florida make sense given the high water table in our area.

Do you have to publish an Obituary?

Funeral Director Garrett Jacobs is often asked by families if they need to immediately have an obituary written and then published. Garrett advises families that they don’t have to, and often, to protect the privacy of a surviving spouse, that they should not publish one at all or at least wait till after the service.

Steps required before a funeral can take place.

After your loved one is entrusted in our care, there are many behind-the-scenes tasks that happen between the family, the Cemetery and Funeral Home, including any appropriate paperwork that needs to be filed before the service and internment can happen. Funeral Director Garrett Jacobs discusses how the The Gardens works hand in hand with your Funeral Home so a grieving family has as little to do as possible.

How do you start the conversation with your aging parents.

Family Service Counselor, Laura Tennenhouse, discusses how adult children can start the conversation with their aging parents regarding what their final wishes may be and any pre planning they may have already undertaken.

What can you do legally with the cremains of a loved one?

Garrett Jacobs, Funeral Director and owner of The Gardens of Boca Raton discusses some of the legal do’s and don’ts regarding the spreading of your loved ones cremains (cremated remains). For example, you can’t legally spread the cremains of your father at his favorite hole at the local golf club or at his favorite beach.

What you should do immediately after a death of a loved one.

Boca Raton Funeral Home and The Gardens owner Garrett Jacobs talks about the steps that happen and the information needed directly after there is a death in your family.

We Are Here For You

If you are in need of talking to our Funeral Director or Staff immediately, please call us.

Call 561-693-0399

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