Frequent Questions

• A funeral directors primary responsibility is to provide dignified, professional care to the person who has died and their family. Starting with transferring the deceased to the funeral home
  
• Arrange and prepare death certificates
  
• Work with any insurance agencies, social development, last post fund to ensure that necessary paperwork is filed for receipt of benefits
  
• Prepare and submit obituary to the newspapers of your choice
  
• Complete any necessary preparation of the deceased including embalming
  
• Assist the family with funeral arrangements and selection of a casket, urn and/or cremation/fingerprint jewelry 
  
• Arrange a reception either at the funeral home or a place of the families choosing
  
• Arrange the opening and closing of the grave with the cemetery, if a burial is to be performed 
  
• Coordinate with clergy and musicians if a funeral or memorial service is to be held
  
• Provide aftercare, or grief support to the bereaved
  
• Assist the family with monument design, purchase and lettering
  

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

Embalming can help restore a more natural appearance, especially in circumstances where the deceased has been ill for some time. 

Embalming is not required by law in certain circumstances. However, embalming may be necessary if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing or should your loved one need to travel from province to province or by countries. If you do not want embalming, you have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require embalming to take place, such as direct cremation or immediate burial.

Today, there are many different types of memorial options from which to choose. Memorialization is a time-honored tradition that has been practiced for centuries. A memorial serves as a tribute to a life lived and provides a focal point for remembrance, as well as a record for future generations. The type of memorial you choose is a personal decision.

It really depends entirely on how you wish to commemorate a life. One of the advantages of cremation is that it provides you with increased flexibility when you make your funeral and cemetery arrangements. You might, for example, choose to have a funeral service before the cremation; a memorial service at the time of cremation or cremation can take place after a visitation with the urn present for the service. A simple committal service at the final disposition of cremated remains is also an option. (One should note, that in the province of New Brunswick cremation cannot take place before a legislated 48 hour waiting period has elapsed). Funerals, memorial services or celebration of life ceremonies can be held in a place of church, worship, a funeral home, residence or a public facility of your choice.

With cremation, your options are numerous

• You might choose ground burial of the cremains with an urn in a cemetery plot. Cremation niches in columbarium’s are also available at many cemeteries with the benefits of above ground placement of remains. And depending upon the cemetery's policy, you may be able to save a grave space by having the cremains buried on top of the casketed remains of your spouse, or other family member. Many cemeteries allow for multiple cremated remains to be interred in a single grave space.
  
• Retained by a family member, usually in an urn
  
• If you wish to have your ashes scattered somewhere, it is important to discuss your wishes ahead of time with the person or persons who will actually do this for you. The services can be as formal or informal as you like and your ashes can be scattered on private property, or at a place that was significant to you and/or your family. (It would always be advisable to check for local regulations regarding scattering in a public place-your funeral director can help you with this.)

In the days following a loss, there are numerous tasks that should be completed. This can include protecting your loved ones estate from identity theft and notifying government agencies of the death. Our extensive aftercare program can help you determine your particular needs. Your funeral director would be honoured to meet with you to alleviate any stress estate settlement may pose.

There are options available that your funeral director can help you with, including:

• Determine if your loved one qualifies for any benefits. Your funeral director can guide you through applications for assistance through organizations like the Last Post Fund, The Department of Social Development and Canada Pension, Survivors and Children’s Benefits. 
  
•  Review all pensions and insurance policies, including life insurance. Some life insurance policies have coverage clauses for funeral related costs.