Pre-Planning Options

Many people plan for life events such as weddings and vacations well in advance, but many people do not plan for something that is certain to happen, their funeral.  While most people do not want to think about their own mortality, the time to pre-plan your funeral is now.  The primary advantages of pre-arranging your funeral is to relieve the burden on your loved ones in an already emotional time, and to ensure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes, eliminating the task of second-guessing what you would have wanted.  It is a practical way of determining your wishes for your own funeral or for the funeral of a person for whom you are responsible. By pre-planning now you can ensure that your funeral reflects your personal lifestyle, customs and beliefs. Taking the time now to arrange your funeral is one less thing your loved ones will need to worry about once you’ve passed. Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family.

What you can do in advance…

You can discuss funeral pre-arrangements with a funeral director.  It gives you an opportunity to ask questions.  It is a time for you to be sure you fully understand what services are performed and the costs involved. You can make unhurried decisions regarding the professional services that will be required, the type of casket you wish to have, suggestions for the funeral service itself, and indicate your preference for burial, cremation or entombment.  With this information, you can make thoughtful, informed decisions which will serve as a guide for your family.  When you pre-plan a funeral, you can shield your family from the difficult decisions and confusion that may occur when limited time prevents thoughtful planning.

During a pre-arrangement the funeral director will ask you some biographical questions. This information is used at the time of death to complete government forms, cemetery or crematorium form, funeral director’s statement of death and clergy information sheet. We would keep these answers on record for you at no cost or obligation.

These questions would include:

  • Name and address  
  • Birthplace and date  
  • Social Insurance Number 
  • Marital Status  
  • Full name of husband or maiden name of wife 
  • Occupation 
  • Father, mother’s names and birthplaces
  • Location of cemetery  (bring cemetery deed if available)
  • Next of kin and/or Executor

There are many choices available for a funeral service and the costs will vary according to your wishes. Although, there are no requirements to pre-pay when you pre-arrange these preferences may be recorded and can be changed.

  • Decide on Burial or Cremation
  • Choose a casket or urn type.
  • Pick what type of service you want (Traditional Funeral Service, Memorials, Graveside Services, Immediate Cremation)
  • Designate your pallbearers, pick any music or readings you want at your service.

Pre-Payment Options

Pre-paying your funeral reduces stress and financial burden on your loved ones after your passing.  We can co-ordinate a payment plan that suits your needs, from a single payment plan to monthly bank account withdrawals.  By pre-paying your funeral you eliminate your family second guessing on if they have spent too much or too little on your funeral.  Pre-payment also protects you and your family from inflation.  If your funeral costs less than the amount you have put aside, those funds will be refunded back to your beneficiaries. 

All monies paid to a funeral home are held in trust for you and are protected by provincial law and must be deposited in a trust account with a recognized financial institution, for example, a Canadian Chartered bank, certain trust companies, insurance companies (Funeral Plans Canada). The principal and all interest remain in trust until the time of death to cover the increases in cost. When someone pre-pays their funeral in full, their funeral cost is guaranteed.

If you require the funds, the pre-paid funeral funds can be withdrawn and returned to you together with accrued interest, subject to an administration fee as stipulated in our Funeral Directors & Establishment Act.

Each year thousands of people decide to pre-plan and pre-pay their funeral, these plans are designed to be flexible and can accommodate the many changes that often occur in people’s lives.

Benefits of Pre-Planning

  • Between 70 and 75 decisions are made within the first 24-48 hours of death.  It’s difficult to think rationally while making so many decisions within days of losing someone, pre-planning gives yourself, family and friends peace of mind.  Pre-planning gives your loved ones direction of your wants and desires.
  • It’s easy. Anyone can do it, and you can change your mind at any time.
  • Your personal wishes will be fulfilled and unnecessary difficulties will be avoided.
  • You can take all the time necessary to make the best decisions about the type of ceremony and burial/cremation/entombment you desire.
  • Spares family members from facing decisions that can be both emotionally and financially difficult at a time of death.
  • You will give your family the peace of mind of knowing they have acted in accordance with your wishes.

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