FAQ ABOUT FUNERALS
WHAT IS A FUNERAL?
A funeral is a ceremony for a deceased person prior to burial or cremation. A funeral gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather and mourn the passing of their loved one to share cherished memories and celebrate their life. A funeral is a vital first step to help the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.WHAT TYPE OF SERVICE SHOULD HAVE?
If no pre-arrangements have been made, the type of service is entirely up to you. Services are usually held at a funeral home or a place of worship. Our funeral directors are more than happy to work with you to figure out what would be the most appropriate.CAN I PERSONALIZED A FUNERAL?
Of course, you can, in fact more and more people are opting for a more non-traditional. Personalized service. There are many unique ways to celebrate life, let the funeral director know exactly what your desires are and they will honor your wishes.WHO ARE FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
Funeral directors are in charge of all the logistics following a death. They complete all the necessary paperwork to make arrangements for the transportation of the body and put into action the choices made by the family in regard to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body. Beyond the logistics, Funeral directors are the to provide moral support and guidance for someone coping with death.WHAT IF A DEATH OCCURS AWAY FROM HOMETOWN?
We are here to help. We can arrange to have the remains transported home from anywhere in the world. We will assume responsibility and make the proper arrangements to have the remains return to the community.WHAT IS EMBALMING AND WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE?
Embalming sanitizes the body: it slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness. Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service and allows the family the option of having an open casket viewing.DO I NEED TO HAVE EMBALMING?
No. In fact some religious forbid embalming. However, some countries require embalming. By law in order for remains to leave or enter the country, if it is not against your religious custom embalming is recommended especially if there is an extended gap between death and burial or cremation.DO WE NEED TO HAVE AN OBITUARY NOTICE AND WHAT IS IN CLOUDED IN ONE?
It is highly recommended to have an obituary notice that's either placed in a local newspaper or placed on-Line. An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred and gives them information about the Service. Obituaries generally include the deceased's full name, age, city and date of birth and the city they were Lining in when they died. It also includes the name or the deceased's spouse, along with the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children or grandchildren. Space may be limited in a newspaper obituary, but you may Include a Little blurb on the life and legacy of the deceased. An online obituary or memorial website offers you the chance to add a Lot more about the deceased.HOW MUCH DOES A FUNERAL COST?
The cost of the funeral. Varies pending on the wishes you have. The average cost of a funeral is between $5000-$7000. The cost includes professional services including all transportation, embalming, other preparations and the purchase of a casket or urn. Funeral directors work an average of 40 hours per funeral. The cost of operating a funeral home is factored into the cost as well. Funeral homes are a 24-hour operation with extensive facilities that need to be maintained.WHAT DO I DO IF I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAY A FUNERAL WAS HANDLED?
In Canada, funeral services are regulated provincially. Consumer Protection Canada License and inspects all funeral providers. They also investigate any complaints received from the consumer. They cacti be contacted toll free at: 1-888-564-9963LEGAL ADVICE
After death, there are many legal details to work out. While it is not necessary to get a lawyer, it is strongly recommended a lawyer will make sure all the ‘t’s crossed, and l’s are dotted. The time following the death of a loved one is extremely emotional, and even the closest family will have disagreements over the most trivial matters. To make sure there is Still peace in the family, it is a good idea to let a Lawyer figure things out. Before getting in touch with a lawyer there are several important documents that you need together. Those include:- Wills
- Deeds
- Bank Statements
- Insurance Policies
- Vehicle and Boat titles
- Tax Documents
BANK ACCOUNTS
What is to be done with bank accounts after a death varies regionally. In some legions, bank accounts are automatically frozen after a death. To avoid any complications the bank should be notified immediately, and you should find out the procedures for releasing these funds, and how to set up a new account for funds received after the death. It's recommended that a joint account stay open for at least six months to allow you to deposit any cheques that are made out to the deceased. To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require to see the original Death Certificate and will make their own copy of it If the deceased had a safety deposit box in a bank, the contents will be listed by a bank officer and the original Death Certificate will be required to gain access to the safety deposit box.DEATH CERTIFICATES
A Certified Death Certificate is necessary before anything can be cloned. A death certificate can be obtained through a Funeral Director. It is a good idea to obtain multiple copies of a death certificate as most agencies require a certified certificate and not a photocopy.DID YOU KNOW … THAT IF YOU OWN A PLOT IN A PRIVATELY HELD CEMETERY, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THEIR FUNERAL HOME?
You may use the funeral home of your choice regardless of where your cemetery plot is located. Often private cemeteries are part of a corporate entity and many own their own funeral homes. The service advisor will want to refer or take you to their funeral home if arrangements for the funeral are not in place. Often the cost of a funeral may be considerably higher than that of a family owned funeral provider.WILLS
Everyone knows they should have a will, but the vast majority - about 70% of us - do not. Writing a will is easy and inexpensive and once you are done you can rest easy knowing your hard-earned money and property will be distributed according to your wishes. As well, if you have children, you can leave instructions on who will be Left in charge of them if you pass. Leaving that decision out of the court’s hands. Making a will is easy, you just need to be at least 18 years of age and must be of sound mind when the will is written. To make a will legal it must:- Expressly state that it is your will
- Be signed and dated
- Be signed by 2-3 witnesses. These witnesses must be people who don't stand to inherit anything in the will. And are of legal age in the province.
Although you do not need a notary or lawyer to complete a will, it is recommended to do one with a notary or a Lawyer, as it will avoid any legal headaches after your passing. Once your will is complete, it's recommended that it is kept somewhere safe and secure outside of your home. If you do your will through a lawyer, most law firms will store it for you free of charge. Many people keep their wills in a safety deposit box at a bank, but this is not recommended as the contents could be sealed at the time of death. The executor of your will should be aware of the location of it.
