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Planning Ahead

This section will help you organize your records for your survivors and guide you in pre-planning a funeral.

The idea behind planning ahead is simple. One day, a great deal of vital information about you or a loved one will be needed by your family and anyone whose responsibility it is to assist them. Those who plan ahead can be assured that, not only will their personal wishes be fulfilled, but other unnecessary difficulties will be avoided. Both you and your loved ones will benefit when funeral arrangements are made well ahead of need. By discussing plans in advance, you can take all the time necessary to make the best decisions about the type of ceremony and burial procedures preferred. A carefully pre-planned funeral service can also be the most comforting to your family members, as it spares them from facing decisions that can be both emotionally and financially difficult at a time of death.

In addition, it gives them the peace of mind of knowing they've acted in accordance with your wishes. We encourage you to discuss your thoughts and decisions with your family and also with one of our funeral directors. During this time of planning ahead, you may also find it worthwhile to seek the advice of an attorney, a bank or trust officer, an insurance advisor and your clergyman.


Things To Consider When Planning Ahead
1. The Importance of Making a Will
2. The Purpose of a Funeral
3. Choosing A Casket
4. Selecting a Cemetery Lot
5. Benefits
6. Purchasing Monuments & Memorials
7. Financial arrangements
8. A Guide to Recording Personal Information


The Importance of Making a Will

No matter what the age or financial situation, every adult should have a will. A will is a legally binding document that can prevent a great deal of problems for your survivors. It insures that distribution of your possessions will take place according to your wishes. When no will has been drawn up, the distribution of assets must be carried out by an administrator appointed by the court in accordance with Provincial laws. In this event, it would be unlikely that the assets would be distributed to the persons you desire or in the proportions you would choose.

In making your will, you should name an executor of your estate. Because he or she will be responsible for filing with the courts and carrying out the provisions of your will, the executor should be someone in whom you feel completely confident.

Wills may be contested due to legal technicalities that may have been overlooked when prepared by someone inexperienced with the procedure. For this reason, the service of a competent attorney is recommended both in the drawing up the will and in settling the estate.

 
The Purpose of a Funeral

A funeral service has come to fill two important needs in today's society. First of all, it provides for the dignified and respectful care of the loved one. Equally important, the funeral service helps survivors face the reality of death - the first big step toward overcoming grief. Together, close friends and relatives who can lend support and consolation when they're needed most. A funeral gives friends and relatives an opportunity to express the love and respect they feel for someone who was important to them. Many times, just seeing how much others cared can be a tremendous help to a family in adjusting to their loss. We can help by taking care of the many details that must be handled after a death. We will also work to accommodate any special request that might add meaning or comfort to the service and help the family face the future with renewed strength.

 
Choosing A Casket

The selection of a casket is a very important element in pre-planning a funeral. As a consumer, you are entitled to the information you need to make a fully-informed choice. Caskets are available in various styles, with numerous design features that cover a wide price spectrum. Of the many caskets styles, there are primary two types, metal and wood. Metal caskets offer beauty, strength and protection. Hardwood caskets reflect the choice of family's who appreciate and cherish the qualities of natural wood. Our funeral service professionals will make certain you feel comfortable with your casket selection. Please do not hesitate to ask for any additional information

Please see our casket information section of this website for more detailed information on the caskets that we have on display at our funeral home.


Selecting a Cemetery Lot

Because so many aspects should be considered when purchasing a cemetery lot, it's especially important to discuss this well in advance of need. There are a number of Cemeteries in our service areas.

Questions you should ask when deciding on the lot are:

1. Does the lot meet the requirements of your religion?
2. What restrictions are placed on types of monuments and burial vaults?
3. Does the price include perpetual care and maintenance?
4. Are there lots available in the same location to provide for burial of the entire family?

If you have any questions about selecting a cemetery lot, please feel free to ask us.


Benefits

It is unfortunate but true that many families do not receive the benefits to which they are entitled. All too often the survivors are unaware of the claims and benefits that apply in there situation. Therefore, all information should be clearly detailed on a record and kept safe until needed.

Canada Pension - When a person who has died has worked and contributed to Social Security, his dependents and survivors may be eligible for certain benefits. These benefits are not automatically paid and must be applied for.

Veterans Benefits - Veterans and their families may be entitled to a number of special benefits following the death of a veteran. Such benefits may include plot allowance, burial allowance, headstone, death pension and burial flag. Since there are many different benefits and qualifications for each, it's best to discuss your particular situation with us personally.

To learn more about these and other benefits please see our section on Survivor Benefits.


Purchasing Monuments & Memorials

After you've determined what, if any, restrictions apply to monuments at the cemetery you've chosen, you will be able to select an appropriate memorial. Bear in mind that quality, material and craftsmanship are all important considerations in selecting any permanent memorial. We would be happy to assist you in making an appropriate selection. Please see our section on Monuments.

 
Financial Arrangements

Accepting responsibility for the future is simply prudent decision making. Pre-planning funeral and cemetery arrangements for you or someone close to you provides peace of mind and assurance that final wishes will be carried out as planned. Making decisions now saves your family the burden of making these decisions under emotional stress. The considerations are made easier with the guidance of a trusted funeral professional who knows the practicalities of prearrangement's. By paying for the arrangements in advance you can ensure that family members will not have to worry about finances while they are grieving. Plans can be paid in full or affordable monthly payments can be debited from your bank account.

There is no obligation for the pre-planning of one's funeral to the extent that you may record your wishes and leave it with us. We will be happy to discuss and arrange any payment plan to suit your family's individual situation. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have or to discuss any options that would be convenient for you.

Funds entrusted with us will be deposited into a trust account with the TD Canada Trust bank.

Finally, on this web site you will find a guide to help you record vital information. It is important to complete each item listed as fully and clearly as possible, if you wish a booklet is available from our office. Please remember we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding this information or funeral services in general.


A Guide to Recording Personal Information

The following information should be completed in as much detail as possible and then put in a safe place known to your family for future use.


Biographical Information:

  • Full name
  • Complete address: street, city, province, postal code
  • Telephone number
  • Place of birth: city, county, province
  • Date of birth
  • Social Insurance number
  • Occupation
  • Employed by or retired
  • Marital status
  • Name of spouse
  • Name of father, place of birth & date of birth
  • Mother's maiden name, place of birth & date of birth
  • Names of children, complete address and telephone number
  • Education, name of Elementary, High school and College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Military service, branch, rank, serial number, date of enlistment & date of discharge
  • Fraternal, service and union memberships
  • Special Recognitions
  • Relatives and friends to notify: complete address & telephone number


Financial Information:

  • Location of will
  • Name & complete address, telephone number of the Executor
  • Name & complete address, telephone number of Attorney
  • Name & complete address, telephone number Accountant
  • List of all bank accounts and account numbers, a complete address of each bank and location of all passbooks
  • Safety deposit box: location of box, box number and location of keys
  • Insurance policies: company name, complete address, location of policy, beneficiary
  • Insurance advisor, name & complete address, telephone number
  • Securities: name and complete address with telephone number, location of certificate
  • Location of all documents: copies of will, birth certificates, marriage certificate, real estate deeds, mortgages and notes, income tax records, military discharge papers, automobile registrations.
  • Location of other valuables such as jewelry, antiques, artwork etc.
  • Benefit entitlements: social security, pension, veterans benefits, teacher retirement, fraternal benefits, railroad retirement, other


Funeral Arrangements:

  • Funeral home to contact, with complete address and telephone number
  • Name of funeral director
  • Location of pre-arrangement contract
  • Location preferred for services
  • Religious services
  • Officiating Clergyman, with complete address and telephone number
  • Military services
  • Fraternal services
  • Contact person, with complete address and telephone number
  • A list of all Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers with complete address and telephone numbers
  • Music wished for the service
  • Flowers
  • Memorials
  • A list of any other request
  • Cemetery arrangements, name, complete address of cemetery, location of deed, name of who the plot is in, section & plot number
  • Any other special instructions