Common Questions and Answers about Funerals

What should I do when a death occurs?

If death is sudden or unexpected, call 9-1-1 to notify the police and the coroner's office. If death was expected, and the deceased was under the care of a physician or health care nurse, then a call to 9-1-1 is not required. A call to your local funeral home should be made as soon as you can.

There are many decisions to be made after the passing of a loved one. Funeral directors are experienced not only in funeral preparation but also in grief counseling and can help families through the passing of a loved one.

An appointment should be made with the funeral home to discuss arrangements and details such as:

Had the deceased made any funeral or burial pre-arrangements?
What type of service is preferred: burial, cremation, or mausoleum?
Has a cemetery been chosen?
Other personal information about the deceased required register the death with the local government.

The funeral director will also help you select a casket, music, floral tributes, custom stationery, an officiate for the ceremony, and can help write the newspaper notice if desired.

All details will be arranged with utmost care to ensure the service is a personal reflection of the life of the deceased, honoring their unique contribution and meeting the needs of the surviving members of the family.

When death is expected, what do I do?

When a death is expected, there are a couple of considerations for immediate and future care:

Is medical care needed for the individual?
If so, some alternatives include general hospital palliative care units; auxiliary hospitals;
provincial and private nursing homes; hospices; or in-home nursing care.

Time can be used to pre-plan or make funeral arrangements. We understand that this is very often difficult for the person involved. If this is the case, a family member or friend may be asked to make arrangements once death has occurred. If possible, try to discuss preferences beforehand.

If possible, try to discuss discuss the location of originals for all important business and personal documents, and make a list (and photocopies) so they are easily accessible when they are needed.

When caring for a dying person, make sure you take care of yourself and/or your family's emotional needs.

Share your experiences with other family members or close friends
Allow friends to help with small tasks, or by giving you time off
If you belong to a church or synagogue, talk to the clergy for spiritual support
Don't try to get through this time alone - even a little support can help

Griefjourney.com can help you with the process of dealing with your emotions and the emotions of those around you.

Can I still have a funeral service if I choose cremation?

Yes. A number of different funeral options can be provided in conjunction with Cremation. From traditional services to contemporary celebrations, cremation gives you the flexibility to personalize the services for yourself or a loved one.

Can visitation be held in cases of cremation?

Final disposition, whether interment or cremation, does not limit or dictate your options for visitation and/or funeral services. Visitation and funeral services can take place regardless of final disposition of remains.

What is embalming and is it necessary?

Embalming is the preservation of the body by surgical procedure so as to allow for viewing and sheltering of remains for an extended period of time and the application of cosmetics, dressing and the transfer to any casket or receptacle.

While embalming is not required by law, it may be desirable in cases where visitation and funeral services are requested by the family.

What is a burial vault?

A burial vault is a concrete enclosure in which the casket is placed at the cemetery at the time of burial. This allows the human remains to return to its natural state without environmental intervention. Individual cemeteries have by-laws concerning the use of burial vaults. For information on individual cemeteries please ask.