Frequently Asked Questions

A funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for the deceased and pay tribute to their life. It provides a framework to freely and openly express our beliefs, feelings and thoughts about the death of our loved one. It gives us permission to grieve our loss, share in solidarity and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss.

The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the burial, cremation and memorial services for the deceased.

The following list that describes some of the tasks of a funeral director:

• Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home
• Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, dressing, casketing and cosmetology
• Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service
• Filing certificates, permits, and other required forms
• Preparing copies of the statement of death certificates
• Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition when required
• Publishes the obituary
• Directs and manages the wake, visitation and/or funeral service.

Vital Statistic Information on the deceased, including;

• Full Legal Name
• Address
• Marital Status
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Social Insurance Number
• Treaty Number (if applicable)
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth (city and province)
• Occupation or Profession
• Parent's Names (including mother's maiden name)
• Parent’s Places of Birth
• Next of Kin

Other information needed:

• Obituary
• Photograph(s) of the deceased
• Clothing
• If the deceased left any written advance wishes concerning their disposition and memorialization you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, letter or funeral pre-arrangements.
• Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.)

There are many decisions to be made when planning a funeral, and we are here to help you through this process.  We strive to make the arrangement process easy and straightforward for you and your family.

Listed below are a few of the common decisions to make when planning a funeral. Remember, you are not alone. Our staff will be working with you through this process to help you focus on grieving and saying goodbye.

• Location of Service(s) and place of Interment;
• Clergy, Celebrant, or Speaker ; Normally a clergy person of the church you attend is called to officiate the funeral service. If you do not wish to have a religious service, a family member, friend, or one of our trained celebrants may perform the service.  A license is not required to officiate at a funeral service.
• Music; If you are having a service at a church, clergy may assist in selecting and preparing the music for a funeral. This music can be religious, tell a story, have a special meaning, or simply be a favorite of your loved one.
• Clothing; There are no rules or a particular dress that is better than the other. Many people choose suits and dresses, or some choose work clothes, the important thing is to best express who the person was, and how the family would like to remember them. Clothing, including undergarments, should be brought in for your loved one.
• Casket/Urns; We have a wide variety of choices available.
• Pallbearers; It is a great honor to be chosen as a pallbearer for a friend or family member. We recommend six to eight individuals assisting with carrying the casket.

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.

If a family member passes away when they are traveling or visiting another city out of the province, your family should contact our funeral home immediately. We will contact and make the necessary arrangements with a funeral home in that location to assist us with bringing your loved one back home. You will have peace of mind knowing that we will take care of all of the necessary details.