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Funeral arrangements
Today’s pace of life, the dispersal of families,
and the desire to spare survivors a difficult
task are all reasons for planning your funeral
arrangements or those of a family member. This
also affords an opportunity to consider the
needs and desires of those you will be leaving
behind. Whatever your decision and whatever
formula you choose, it is important to talk with
your family and let them know what you want for
your funeral.
Prearrangement
Funeral
pre-planning (prearrangement) is the best-known
method. For this, you choose your arrangements
and pay for them at the current rate.
There
are many advantages to this formula:
- It prevents your family
from having to make decisions while in an
emotional state, and spares them numerous
formalities and procedures which are often
painful at so trying a time.
- You decide on the type
of funeral you want: traditional, with
visitation followed by interment or cremation,
or any other mode of disposition.
- It is also a sensible
investment. All of the money you pay is placed
on deposit with a recognized trustee. In other
words, you are assured of receiving services
tomorrow at today’s prices.
With no
obligation on your part, your funeral
cooperative can help you assess your needs and
select the funeral rites that are suitable to
you.
Your prearrangement moves when you do
Many
people hesitate to make prearrangements because
they are not sure if they will be living in the
same location in five or ten years’ time.
Good
news! Thanks to a reciprocity agreement
concluded among 26 funeral cooperatives in
Québec, it is now possible to enjoy the economic
advantages available to the members of every
cooperative that has signed the agreement, and
to permit the penalty-free transfer of
prearrangements from one cooperative to another.
If you
move to any of the communities served by these
26 cooperatives (which can be found in just
about every region, with over 75 funeral homes),
you will be able to receive from that
establishment all of the services covered in
your prearrangement.
The record of funeral wishes
This
formula allows you to state your wishes for your
funeral services whenever you want, without
having to pay any fee at all. It will be up to
your estate to settle the costs, when the time
comes. This document does not have force of law,
and is simply an indication to your family.
Unlike prearrangement, it offers no protection
against price increases. Your funeral
cooperative has some very practical forms that
will enable you to make your record of wishes
without forgetting anything.
Before
defining your funeral wishes or making a
prearrangement, we suggest that you read the
text on funeral rites, as an aid in making your
decision.
Think about those left behind
Do not
hesitate to bring up these subjects with the
people you will be leaving behind. This offers a
way to ensure that the arrangements you make are
also suitable to their needs.
That is
why we advise you to suggest and not impose a
course of action that is consistent with your
beliefs and desires. It is also a responsible
approach to inform your family of the
arrangements you have made in the event of death,
so that those dear to you can see your respect
and love for them in the plans you have made.
Contact us
To find
out more about these services, simply make an
appointment with our funeral planning advisers,
who will be able to provide you with information
under no pressure and in a manner that respects
your choices.
Your funeral cooperative
has respectful, attentive staff who will take
pains to provide you with whatever you require
for your funeral services.
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