Resthaven Gardens of Memory maintains a tradition of personal attention to our families' needs and individual desires. We offer professional direction of services, whether they are held in our funeral home, in a church, at a cemetery, or in a private home or other location. Many details have to be considered, and decisions made, in arranging a service, whether at the time of need or in advance. We at Resthaven Gardens of Memory want to make it easier for you by providing helpful information. We offer many services including cremation, pre-arrangement, grief resources, monuments, flowers and obituaries. Resthaven Gardens of Memory was opened by Mr. Johnny Ellis in 1953.The first pre-need sale was made in October of that same year. Resthaven is situated on a beautiful oak covered track of land located about a block east of Airline Highway, "Hwy 61", and two miles from I-12 at 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge, La. Resthaven has 55 total acres of land. Approximately 30 acres have been developed into numerous beautifully landscaped gardens including Baby Land and Little Angels. Resthaven is noted for its bronze, Carrara marble statues and garden features imported from Italy. Carrara marble is very famous for the statuary quality used by the most famous sculptors in the world (Michelangelo, Canova, etc.). Another feature is the beautiful fountain just inside the entrance of the cemetery. The fountain is home to Resthaven's beloved swans. Families who visit the cemetery love to watch and feed the swans when they come to visit their loved ones. Resthaven offers several types of burials such as traditional ground, double depth lawn crypts, private and family estates. Other types of above ground entombment include indoor climate controlled mausoleums, outdoor or garden view mausoleums, and private mausoleums. We also offer cremation niches in the mausoleum structures, cremation benches, and a new columbarium.. PERSONALIZATION Funerals are most meaningful when they are personalized. When you are planning a funeral,think about the special qualities of the person who died and what he or she meant to others. How can you capture this unique life? With creative ideas and help from us,the funeral of your loved one will be a celebration filled with lasting memories. Capturing the Personality of Your Loved One -Display personal items or bits and pieces of their favorite hobby. We offer tables and memory boards to help you. -Select flowers that hold special meaning or memories. -Create a theme that is significant to the interests of your loved one. -Personalized merchandise. -Video Memorial tribute for viewing at the visitation,funeral service and/or memorial service -Allow children to write a letter or draw a picture. Their goodbyes can then be placed in the casket. -Balloon release -Bagpiper CREMATION How are cremation services different from burial services? They are not necessarily. Services with cremation are the same as with earth burial,unless you prefer something different. You can have viewing and visitation arrangements,with an open or closed casket,or no casket at all,for as long or as short a period as you wish. Whatever you choose - casket and burial or cremation - family and friends need time to grieve and to say good-bye. This is the reason for funeral services - to support the living through the pain and loneliness of loss to acceptance and resolution. Louisiana law allows a person to authorize his or her own cremation,provided such authorization is written and signed either before a Notary Public or Court Order. Otherwise,the spouse,if the deceased was married,or if the deceased was not married,all next-of-kin,must authorize the cremation. PRE ARRANGEMENT More and more people are realizing the thoughtfulness and practicality of planning their funerals in advance. At Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Funeral Home we have two pre-arrangement options available to make a difficult time easier for your family: -For those interested only in advance planning,there is no charge for making funeral arrangements before the need arises,and keeping a copy in our files. -We offer an advance planning program which allows for pre-payment of your funeral arrangements. A death occurs,and without warning a family member or friend is left to make all the difficult decisions of arranging a funeral. Most people have little idea of what is involved,what the costs are,and,most importantly,what final arrangements the deceased would have wanted. Advance funeral planning is a decision only you can make. Our pre-arranged funeral program allows you to plan ahead by making wise personal choices,in writing,knowing that your wishes will be carried out.