About Us
Learn more about The Final Farewell Project, our mission, history, and events with the community.
Mission & Vision
,Our mission is to help families in the wake of the death of a loved one with resources for final expenses. Many families are unable to manage the financial responsibilities of memorials, funeral, burial and other expenses associated with final arrangements.
It is our hope to ease the stress that many families experience at this time. We also hope to provide assistance for individuals who have no family to take on the responsibility and have no resources. Families and individuals come to us through agency, faith communities, community organizations or friends of the deceased.
It is our goal that nobody leaves this life forgotten, or without the dignity deserved by each of us, regardless of social, financial status or circumstances of death.
Our Start
The Final Farewell Project began when Founder – Dorene Sherman had the idea for an organization that could help families with funeral and burial expenses, while she was working at a local cemetery in Toledo, Ohio. Dorene met families that came into the cemetery to make final arrangements, and while they would have a burial plot, they were unaware of the other costs to bury their loved ones. This was now Dorene’s goal, to ensure that every person would leave this life with dignity and respect.
With the help of her friends, Manuel Halkias and Kitty Burgett, along with her son, Jared Sherman, The Final Farewell Project was formed in March 2018. Always remembering the grieving families, while remembering those who passed, but now can be remembered and honored
Community Events
Akron Holiday Parade

Akron Pride Festival
Final Farewell Board| Akron, Ohio | August 27, 2021
We were honored and excited to participate in the 2021 Akron Pride Festival Parade. We also sponsored an informational table (as seen below). We hope to continue to collaborate with Akron Pride for future events.
Collaboration with the Community


30 Days of November


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