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Ocean Grove Memorial Home
118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, New Jersey 07756

Thomas J. Saragusa, Manager
N. J. License No. 4036

VOICE 732-775-0434 - - OGMHognj@aol.com

General Comments

MUSIC at the funeral home:

We have a sophisticated tape-based music system that plays both background music during the calling hours and specific individual titles (when requested) just prior to the funeral ceremony. If you want any specific music played, please discuss your request with the funeral director.

PALLBEARERS to carry the casket:

When the funeral ceremony is at the funeral home, we don’t need the assistance of pallbearers, however if the ceremony is from another location, such as a church, we will need the assistance of pallbearers. You may ask family or friends to serve as pallbearers to help carry the casket into and out of church. Pallbearers should be asked to ride together in one car at the front of the funeral procession. Someone should arrange to coordinate the transportation of the bearer’s families. It is very permissible for grandchildren and even children to act as pallbearers. We are prepared to hire professional pallbearers if you ask us to.

LIMOUSINES:

We don’t own a limousine but we do have a working relationship with several limousine companies. Upon your request, we will arrange to hire as many as are necessary. A full size limousine holds six passengers comfortably and a seventh on short trips. Several eight passenger limousines are available with sufficient notice. Please discuss the details with the funeral director...your early order will allow us to arrange for an appropriate automobile and driver.

LEAD CAR - CLERGY CAR - FLOWER CAR:

On local funerals it is approproate to have a car lead the hearse and funeral procession to the cemetery. Usually the clergy rides in that car with the funeral director, and when more than a few flowers are sent to the funeral home, we will take those flowers to the cemetery in that lead car.

Alternatively a formal flower car can be hired...and, of course, travel time to a distant cemetery will increase the charge for the vehicle and driver. One formal flower car will hold up to forty standard sized floral arrangements.

A TENT AT THE CEMETERY:

Usually, a tent is provided by the local vault installation company at local cemeteries (if a burial enclosure is being provided). If a tent at a distant cemetery is required, please let the funeral director know as soon as possible. Some distant cemeteries reserve the right to erect the tent and others don’t own a tent. As much advance notice as is possible, will be appreciated.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION in the funeral ceremony:

We encourage any family member to participate in the funeral ceremony. If any of the family would like to participate, those details should be arranged directly with your clergyman. If you need assistance, please ask us.

AIR FARES:

Some airlines will allow a reduced price “bereavement fare” in the event of a death in a family. As fares and rates vary with each carrier, please check with individual airlines. Have the name and telephone number of the funeral home ready when you first call to make the reservation. The airline may require a letter from the funeral home or may require a copy of the death certificate. For more information, please check with your travel agent or with the individual airline.

CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE at the funeral:

Many employers, the military, and airlines that have granted reduced-fare tickets may require proof of attendance at the funeral. We will provide appropriate documentation when asked. Please determine what type of documentation is needed and ask the funeral director to provide that documentation...that’s part of our service.

LOCAL HOTELS and MOTELS:

For those who must travel to the Shore Area from a distance, more luxurious hotel and motel accommodations are out of the local area. The Sheraton on Route 35 north in Eatontown and the former Hilton on the oceanfront in Long Branch are probably the most elegant. The Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn or Sunrise Suites at exit 105 from the Garden State Parkway are probably the safest middle range motels and overnight accommodations at the most reasonable price can be obtained from such motels as the Macintosh Inn on Route 36 in Eatontown.

Most in-town accommodations are homey Bed and Breakfast type inns and some are quite elegant. Most have private baths but many don’t offer elevators or air conditioned facilities. You should discuss your concerns with the innkeeper that you contact. Check our Related Sites Page.

LOCAL RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS: If you are planning an early dinner between the calling hours or a luncheon after the funeral ceremony or burial service, you should contact your restaurant prior to the day of the service AND reconfirm your time of arrival, the menu that will be presented and the number of people who will attend. Many local restaurants can provide this service. Try the Eatery Links at Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce. For inexpensive accommodations, ask us about the Pancake House on the Asbury Circle for breakfast or The Adriatic in Asbury Park for lunch or supper.

HOUSE SECURITY: Please plan to take care of the security of your various homes and apartments during the calling hours, funeral ceremony and trip to the cemetery. The event is always publicly known and does present an opportunity for burglars, so it is NOT the publishing of the decedent’s address in the newspapers that causes a problem. We suggest that you have a neighbor or family member stay at your home in your absence during the next several days.

SPECIAL REQUESTS: We encourage you to ask us to perform any service for you...if we can’t, we’ll tell you.

It’s our intention to please you in every way...we will try to do those things that we think you want us to do...but sometimes we don’t see the woods for the trees. Please question us if everything is not absolutely to your expectations.

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