Faqs
Cremation Questions
Why do you hold a deceased for a day or more prior to cremation?
Every cremation requires a Coroner’s approval prior to cremation. The Coroner will attend and sign the cremation application during this holding period.
What should I do with the Cremated Remains?
The remains can be buried or scattered as you see fit. If buried on crown land, there is no need for permission. If buried on private property, you merely require permission of the property owner. Scattering on water (lake or river) is not a problem.
How Many “Death Certificates” do I receive?
We will supply as many certificates as you reasonably require, without additional charge, up to one year from the date of death. Beyond one year, a small charge will be made for searching old records, in order to provide the certificates.
Can I see the deceased before cremation?
Our policy is to visually identify every deceased before cremation, either with a photograph or visual identification session. Most people prefer to view a photo of the deceased.
Do I have to use your crematorium?
No! There are many local crematoria. We will use whatever one you request. Many people have pre-paid cremations with a crematorium of their selection. We will be pleased to follow your directions.
How do I know the “ashes” I receive are from my loved one?
Our process allows for cremation of one deceased at a time. In all cases a numbered metal tag is affixed to the ashes you receive. This tag has been with the deceased during the entire process.
Must I buy an urn for the ashes?
No! We return the cremated remains in a plain container that is sealed, and then wrapped in plain paper. It is suitable for burial, for storage or for shipping exactly as you receive it from us. If you wish to purchase an urn for ceremonial or commemorative purposes, we offer a large selection in every price range, starting at just $50.
Burial Questions
Must we buy a casket for burial?
No! Every deceased must be in a rigid container that allows cemetery and funeral staff to handle the deceased. We offer a selection of simple containers or a casket that meets this requirement. You have the right to buy any casket from any supplier you choose. We will be honoured to assist you in any way you wish.
Can I have a simple graveside service before burial?
Yes! While we are not allowed to participate in or attend any ceremony where the deceased is present (as a standard condition of license in Ontario), you may hold any service you wish, and we will assist you in any way to make this a meaningful service of remembrance.
Do we need a vault or grave liner for the cemetery?
The requirements of each cemetery are spelled out clearly in their individual by-laws. Our service prices are based on the cemetery property being completely paid for, including opening, closing and any specific required liner. We will be pleased to provide competitively priced product when you request it. The services quoted by us assume you have met the requirements of your cemetery.
Pre-Need Plan Questions
I have a pre-paid plan with a large international funeral home conglomerate or insurance company. What can I do now?
Relax! You have two choices. First, we will be happy to make arrangements with no need for money to change hands. When the time comes, we just lay claim to the money being held by that other funeral home, with the balance going to your estate. Your second choice is to allow us to collapse the other plan, and get your money back for you into your hands where it belongs. Use some of that money to fund this new plan, and keep the rest. We’ll even absorb any cancellation fees imposed by the other guys. Insurance plans are a much trickier matter. We need to see the policy and discuss those plans with you. Often the best plan of attack in those cases is to just leave them alone, and use them to pay for our services when the time comes. Our professional licensed staff will be happy to meet with you and discuss your unique situation.
What is the advantage of a "Trust" agreement over "Insurance" for pre-need funding?
This is the dynamite question you want to seriously study and understand. Pre-Need funding can be held in either a "trust" account at a major Canadian Bank (we use TD-Canada Trust) or in an insurance plan held by an International Life Insurance company. In the "trust" account your cash is held as an investment that will earn interest and is used to pay for our services when they are needed. With an Insurance product a life insurance policy is used to pay for your services when needed. So far, it all works. But the difference will be found when you ask for a refund of your money because you are moving, or want to change your mind, or simply need the funds for an emergency. In the "trust" situation we will simply cancel everything, and give you your money back with interest. In the "insurance" case, you're just out of luck. Also, if you fail to make an insurance payment you could lose the entire plan. Be very careful when someone tries to sell you an insurance based product. Make sure you know what you are buying. They are not the same.
Should I pre-pay a cremation with a crematorium in advance of need?
We strongly suggest making an entire pre-need plan including cremation and disposition of the ashes. Our pre-need plans include everything you will ever need in one complete service agreement. Your family will never be asked to pay one penny more than our agreed price. That is our promise to you. All of our plans can be completed in one simple meeting, with financing options to suit your budget.
General Questions
When do you expect payment of the Cremation or Burial account?
Our account is to be paid in full at the time of the final arrangements. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Debit, cash or personal cheques. Pre-need plans can be paid by convenient monthly installments automatically taken from your checking account.
We have family members who wish to view the deceased, can this be arranged?
Yes! We can arrange embalming, visitation periods, full chapel or church services. As a licensed “Transfer Service” we do not provide these services directly. These services will be provided by a licensed funeral home. You will deal directly with them. Our staff will assist you in making these choices.
The hospital or medical staff told us we must use a Funeral Home. Is this correct?
No! In Ontario you can choose either a Funeral Home or Transfer Service, or you can simply do-it-yourself. We are fully licensed as a Transfer Service, and our management is fully licensed as Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Our company is dedicated to providing exactly the services you choose, nothing more or nothing less.
What happens if a death occurs away from home?
Do not call any local provider where you are, just call us (collect if needed). As our client we want you to be satisfied with our services in every way. We’ll either make arrangements with a known provider to handle a cremation locally or we could arrange to ship the deceased back home for burial. We can often save you a great deal of money by letting us handle it all. Foreign providers know they will never serve you again, so they do not have any incentive to treat you fairly. Let us handle everything from our Hamilton head office location.
Why Do You Use a Butterfly as your Symbol?
One of the most delicate things in nature is a butterfly. Our services are delivered in a delicate, respectful manner at all times. Our cremation unit has zero emissions (monitored daily by the Ministry of the Environment). Our containers burn completely. We use no chemicals. We strive to be environmentally friendly at all times. The big corporate funeral conglomerates want you to put many board-feet of lumber in the ground (or even metal caskets), and use many gallons of toxic chemicals in their embalming process. Not very environmentally responsible in our opinion. The choice is yours! We think you'll do the right thing.
We Want To Donate Organs Following a Death?
One of the most generous things you can do is make an organ donation following the loss of a loved one. We strongly encourage everyone to sign their organ donor card and discuss this wish with their family and friends. Your donation will not impact our service in any way. We do encourage you to make this desire known to the medical team while your loved one is still alive, or immediately on notification of their passing. Our policy is to cooperate 100% with the medical professionals who will carry out this task. Many people have told us they feel a sense of calm knowing that a small part of their loved one lives on in someone else. I know I felt that way following my own father's passing.
Someone Told Me You Cut Corners In Order To Provide A Low Price?
We’ve heard some of the most horrible stories told by our competitors sales people that are simply too wicked to believe. We are licensed by the Board of Funeral Services for Ontario. We must operate to a very high ethical standard. If someone ever tells you differently, run (don’t walk) away from them, because they can not be trusted. Such stories as we cut corners when someone dies at home, we send only one person. We plop the deceased in a body-bag, and then drag them bouncing down the stairs and out to our vehicle, are too preposterous for words. Frankly, on a house call we get families sending us notes and cards telling us that the staff that came to the home in the middle of the night were both kind, and very considerate. Our competitors need to grow up and stop their nonsense.