WHERE TO BEGIN
WHERE TO BEGIN
When the death of someone you care for occurs, it can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. We will guide you through the entire process. We are here to make this time an experience of love, healing and a celebration of life.
If you need help immediately, we are here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, just give us a call to access funeral services in Calgary. One of our caring licensed funeral directors will assist you right away at 403-274-0576.
Our sole focus is to help you and your family in your time of need. We will find the answers or solutions you need, regardless of how difficult this all may seem at the present time.
Please know that there is no rush to make funeral arrangements – come to see us when you are ready.
WHEN A DEATH IS EXPECTED
If the death is expected at home or in a care facility, our associates can come right away and bring your loved one into our care.
If the death is at a hospital, there are specific procedures to follow prior to transferring your loved one into our care. This may take a little time and we must allow the hospital protocol to unfold. We can review this with you personally to guide you through it.
WHEN A DEATH IS UNEXPECTED
If the death is unexpected, the medical examiner will need to be involved and the local emergency response team will assist you with this. They should be contacted at this time if you haven’t already.
If you have questions or concerns about this process we can guide you through it, and you can contact us at: 403-274-0576
Below is some information to help you get started through the process of laying your loved one to rest.
At this time, we encourage you to include a close family member and/or trusted friend to help support you as you work through the various steps that will need to be taken and decisions to be made.
Timeline of events & process of
PLANNING A FUNERAL
After a death has occurred, there are some steps that you will want to take soon afterward.
WITHIN HOURS: IMMEDIATE CONTACTS
Once the funeral home or emergency personnel have been contacted, it’s important to reach out to those relatives and loved ones closest to the deceased, who need to be immediately informed. Family members typically work together by sharing the burden of making these difficult calls. It is important to prioritize this information as many of the contacts can be made at a later time. You should focus on the most critical at this time.
THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS: BEGINNING THE PLANNING PROCESS
Now is the time to review your loved one’s pre-planned wishes and meet with a funeral director to begin arranging their funeral service. If your loved one did not pre-plan their funeral, one of our funeral directors will help guide you through the decision making process. Consider who you would like to be involved in this process and then contact us to schedule a time to meet.
You may need some assistance working through the funeral planning process and we are here to make it as simple and easy as possible for you.
An important part of the planning process is understanding and listening to your needs. That is why we have professionally trained, caring and supportive Funeral Directors that will help you consider budgets, timelines, different family preferences and other logistics.
For more information on planning a funeral you can
ACCESS THESE RESOURCES
You don’t need to have all the answers right away. We will guide the discussion through each decision, especially when it might seem difficult. Below are some questions, you may want to start thinking about to help you make the best decisions for you and your family:
- Will you require burial or cremation?
- Will anyone want to see the deceased to pay their respects?
- If you are choosing burial, is there a preferred cemetery?
- If cremation is right for you, what will be done with the cremated remains?
- Do you want there to be a funeral service and reception in Calgary?
- If so, what are the location options?
- Will you include religious ceremonies, and if so, who will be the religious contact?
- Who will participate in the funeral service? Are there poems, music or passages you would like included?
- Are there preferences about the casket, urn or flowers chosen?
WITHIN 1-3 DAYS: MEETING WITH THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR & SELECTING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
When you meet with us to discuss the funeral arrangements, we begin by learning about your family’s circumstances in order to offer the best guidance possible. What is important to you is important to us.
Initially, you may be concerned about the cost of planning a funeral. We understand that and will review our general price guide and all other relevant pricing with you upfront so that you have clarity on what to expect, and what options are most appropriate for your needs and budget.
You will be encouraged to share information about your loved one with us so we can gain an understanding of the person being honoured. This is a time to communicate your ideas and preferences, share your loved one’s life story, revisit memories and highlight their accomplishments. Our professionals will use this information to guide us in the creation of a personalized, meaningful celebration of your loved one’s life.
THE INITIAL PLANNING MAY INCLUDE:
- Collecting personal information for the legal registration of death
- Determining whether or not a service or reception will be held, and the best venue to hold it at.
- Identifying a timeline for important tasks, including gathering information and scheduling viewings, services, video tributes, receptions, cremation or burial and other relevant timelines.
- Selecting a casket, vault, urn, flowers or any other products you may require.
- Drafting an obituary.
- Assistance with selecting music, speakers and poems, as well as the casket or urn bearers.
- Completion of necessary authorizations and contracts
WHAT TO BRING TO THE MEETING
To make this process as smooth and stress-free for you as possible, we have compiled a list that contains all of the information you will need to bring with you to our initial meeting:
- Current information including full legal name, address, marital status and spouse’s name
- Birth information including date and place of birth, father and mother’s full names (including maiden name) and place of birth
- Legal documentation such as drivers license, social insurance and Alberta Health Care numbers
- Personal information such as occupation, accomplishments and designations
- Will information: Is there one and who is the executor?
To make it easier to collect this information, please enter as much of the information below.
It will be emailed to us so we have it prior to your meeting.
START FORM
ONLINE FORM
We also encourage you to bring any clothing you would like us to use when dressing the deceased and photographs for the obituary or service folder. If you would like our help with any insurance claims, please bring the policy information as well.
Do not worry if you can’t find everything for our meeting. We will help you get through this one step at a time. Remember, there is no rush to come to the funeral home to start planning. Take your time, we’ll be here for you when you are ready.
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TESTIMONIALS
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Let us know how we can support you and someone will be in touch within 1 business day.