Cemetery & Funeral Home FAQ
You Ask We Answer
The Gardens of Boca Raton is South Florida’s premier above-ground cemetery and funeral home. As a family-owned facility serving all faiths, our compassionate team is here to guide and support you through every step of the funeral planning process.
We know that whether families are responding to an immediate need for funeral services or are pre-planning arrangements for the future, the process comes with questions and uncertainty. We seek to provide clarity in such times and offer comforting, dependable knowledge that you can rely on as you make important decisions.
Keep reading to learn more about our cemetery and funeral home in Boca Raton, as well as more about the planning and burial process.
About The Gardens of Boca Raton & Services We Provide
The Gardens of Boca Raton is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to assist with both immediate needs and pre-planning arrangements. Our professional team is here to provide answers, offer support, and help families make decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
What is the difference between The Gardens of Boca Raton and similar cemeteries in South Florida?
The Gardens of Boca Raton exclusively offers above-ground burial options. Our elegant mausoleums provide superior protection, comfort, and accessibility for visitors. Families appreciate the serene environment, high-end finishes, and year-round service options.We serve as the region’s premier above-ground cemetery. You may find other facilities that allow for mausoleums or above-ground cremation niches and crypts on property, yet they likely host in-ground burials, too. This is what sets us apart, along with our profoundly compassionate and sincere service.
Is this a non-denominational facility?
Yes. The Gardens of Boca Raton welcomes individuals and families of all religious backgrounds, including Jewish, Christian, Catholic, and non-religious. We tailor each service and burial plan to the family’s traditions and values.
We have Jewish-dedicated burial grounds on-site for those seeking traditional religious accommodations.
Can The Gardens make all the arrangements for me?
Yes. Our experienced team coordinates all aspects of funeral services, including transportation, clergy, floral arrangements, music, and personalized touches. We offer full-service planning for both pre-need and immediate-need situations.
Can The Gardens do services after hours?
Yes. We provide after-hours services by appointment, allowing for greater flexibility to accommodate out-of-town guests, holidays, or religious schedules. We understand that families may need non-traditional timing and are here to serve you with compassion.
What is a funeral service?
A funeral service is a structured ceremony held shortly after a person’s passing. It typically includes readings, prayers, eulogies, and rituals that honor the deceased’s life. It may occur in a chapel, mausoleum, or other designated space.
What is a wake?
A wake is an opportunity for family and friends to gather and pay their respects before the funeral. It often involves viewing the deceased, offering condolences, and reflecting on memories. It may be religious or secular in nature.
What is a memorial service?
A memorial service is similar to a funeral, but typically occurs without the presence of the body. It may take place days or even weeks after passing and offers flexibility in timing and location.
What is a celebration of life?
A celebration of life focuses on joyfully honoring the personality, memories, and accomplishments of the deceased. These events may include music, speeches, photos, or other personalized elements and are often less formal than traditional services.
What is cremation?
Cremation is a respectful process that reduces the body to ashes through high heat. It is a popular choice due to its simplicity, affordability, and flexibility for memorialization. Remains can be stored in a niche, columbarium, or taken home by loved ones.
How does cremation work?
The cremation process follows a series of strict, designated steps overseen by Florida law.
1. The deceased is identified and placed in a cremation container.
2. A licensed crematory performs the cremation at high temperatures.
3. Metal and bone fragments are processed into a fine ash.
4. The cremated remains are returned to the family in a designated urn or container.
What does embalming mean, and is it required?
Embalming is the preservation of the body using chemical solutions to slow decomposition. It is often required if there is a public viewing or if the service is delayed. However, it is not legally required in Florida for cremation or direct burial.
Families seeking direct cremation often forgo this option. Additionally, Orthodox Judaism, Islam, and the Baháʼí Faith do not permit embalming in their religious customs.
Above-Ground Placement & Options
The Gardens of Boca Raton specializes in above-ground burial options, offering elegant indoor and outdoor facilities for individuals, couples, and families.
Why choose an above-ground burial instead of an in-ground burial in South Florida?
Due to South Florida’s high water table, in-ground burials may risk water intrusion over time. Above-ground placement in a mausoleum or niche offers lasting peace of mind, easier maintenance, hurricane protection, and more options for personalization and climate-controlled visitation.
In Florida, in-ground cemeteries risk casket leaks and displacement over time as severe weather can alter the ground topography and shift soil. With above-ground burial options, this is never the case.
Are there in-ground options?
No. The Gardens of Boca Raton exclusively provides above-ground burial solutions to ensure structural integrity, cleanliness, and family comfort.
What is a mausoleum?
A mausoleum is an above-ground building designed to house caskets or urns. Our indoor mausoleums are climate-controlled, beautifully maintained, and accessible year-round.Many families construct mausoleums as a form of legacy planning, as extended family members may join the final resting place over time. This allows generations to come to pay respects to their lineage in one serene location as part of our family heritage program.
What is a crypt?
A crypt is an individual or companion space within a mausoleum that holds a casket. Families may choose single, tandem, or side-by-side crypts for themselves or loved ones.
What is a niche?
A niche is a small compartment designed to hold cremated remains. Niches may include a glass or granite front and are often located in designated columbarium areas.
What is a family estate bench (memorial bench)?
A family estate bench (or memorial bench) is a granite bench with built-in urn storage. It offers a permanent, elegant resting place in an outdoor setting while providing seating for visitors.
What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is a structure or wall that contains niches for cremated remains. It can be indoors or outdoors and may serve as a focal point for remembrance.
Planning, Pre-Need & Payment
The Gardens of Boca Raton offers pre-planning services, allowing individuals and families to secure funeral and burial arrangements. This thoughtful decision can ease emotional and financial burdens and protect against rising costs.
Pre-arrangements vs at-need services: What’s the difference?
Pre-arrangements are planned in advance, often years before they are needed. Many individuals choose to make their own pre-arrangements to ensure their final wishes are met and that the financial burden of funeral planning and burial doesn’t fall on their loved ones.
People often feel a sense of comfort choosing their final resting place, what their funeral service will look like, and setting the final details just as they wish. Pre-planning allows for more thoughtful choices and financial flexibility.
At-need services occur after a death and are coordinated quickly. These needs are planned by families who must make the final decisions regarding funeral services and burials for a loved one.
Timing
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Occurs after a death has taken place
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Planned in advance, before a passing
Emotional Burden
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Often done during grief and emotional stress
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Allows families to avoid rushed decisions in a difficult time
Financial Impact
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Payment due immediately; limited time for price comparison
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Locks in today’s prices; protects against inflation
Decision-Making
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Families must make many choices quickly
Pre-Planning Arrangements: All major decisions already made by the individual
Flexibility & Personalization
Immediate Need Funeral Services: May be limited by time or availability of services
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Allows time for thoughtful personalization and desired touches
Paperwork & Documentation
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Must be completed quickly, often under pressure
Pre-Planning Arrangements: All documentation is prepared and filed in advance
Family Involvement
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Loved ones must coordinate logistics during mourning
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Eases the burden on loved ones during their time of loss
Peace of Mind
Immediate Need Funeral Services: Can add stress and confusion if unprepared
Pre-Planning Arrangements: Offers peace of mind knowing everything is arranged
How early should I plan my pre-need arrangements?
It is never too early to plan. Many people begin in their 50s or 60s to secure preferred locations and pricing. Life is unpredictable, and early planning ensures clarity and peace of mind.
What is an irrevocable trust?
An irrevocable trust is a legal financial tool that secures funds for future funeral services. Once established, it cannot be altered or revoked, protecting assets and qualifying for Medicaid.
Where does my money go?
All pre-need funds are securely placed in a state-regulated trust or insurance policy. These accounts are legally protected and used only for the services outlined in the agreement.
The Gardens of Boca Raton is fully licensed by the State of Florida.
Obituaries & Privacy
The Gardens of Boca Raton supports families with every step of the funeral process, including obituary creation. We treat every family with discretion and respect, ensuring a comfortable and dignified experience.
Do we have to put an obituary in the newspaper?
No. Many families now prefer digital obituaries, which can be shared online and accessed by friends and relatives nationwide. This option provides flexibility and privacy.Additionally, The Gardens of Boca Raton offers The Legacy Book, where approved users can leave condolences, get obituary details, or share images of loved ones.
How do I write an obituary?
Writing an obituary is a thoughtful and emotional process. At The Gardens of Boca Raton, we’re happy to provide you with drafting services or helpful tips on how to write an obituary to create a meaningful tribute.Follow these steps to write an obituary:
- Begin with the deceased’s full name, age, and place of residence.
- Include the date and place of passing.
- Mention immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings).
- Highlight major life milestones (career, education, hobbies).
- Share service details (location, date, time).
Offer a closing message or charitable donation preference.
Visitation & Hours
The Gardens of Boca Raton welcomes visitors in a serene, climate-controlled setting that allows for year-round comfort and remembrance.
What are the hours at The Gardens of Boca Raton?
Our hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
For appointments or visitation outside of these hours, please call ahead to make arrangements. We are happy to accommodate your family whenever we are able.
Speak with Our Compassionate Team Today
Contact The Gardens of Boca Raton today to speak with a member of our staff regarding pre-planning arrangements or immediate need services. As South Florida’s premier above-ground cemetery and funeral home, we’re here to provide the support you need each step of the way.
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 personalized 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 paper work that needs to 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.