FAQs 

Human beings are interesting creatures: sometimes we need to see in order to truly believe. It's a way of confirming the fact that, indeed, this individual is dead; but it's also an opportunity to say your "good-byes". You may find it a cathartic time where you can quietly share a long-held secret, let go of any anger or resentment, and otherwise come to terms with that person’s death.

When asked this question, we like to tell people it's best done with honesty and awareness. Let them know basically what they can expect. Advise them there will be people there who will be sad and may cry openly; tell them there will be time for some people to stand up and talk about how much they loved the person, but they won't be required to do the same thing. Let them ask all the questions they need to ask, and reassure them you will be right next to them throughout the experience. Never force them to go to a funeral, and always give them the opportunity to change their mind about attending.

It's a lot like asking 'who should be invited to a wedding': people who would want to be there. A person's role at a funeral is twofold: one, they are there to demonstrate support for the bereaved family. Second, funeral guests are there to tend to their own sorrow, and to begin to come to terms with the death of someone they held dear, while in the safety of a shared collective experience. Although it is not common to send out invitations to a funeral as the service details are generally published in a newspaper or online, it does make a certain amount of sense to reach out to some individuals by phone, email, or social media to ensure they are aware of the service date/time, and to express your desire for their presence. When preparing the guest list for a funeral service, you should both listen to your heart and use common sense. You know the people that mattered most to your loved one, as well as those who mattered least. Whatever you do, don't invite more people than the venue can comfortably handle.

Simply put, "it depends on the service". Just as no two movies or novels are the same length or cover the same emotional ground, no two end of life ceremonies are the same.

Flowers create a background of warmth and beauty which adds to the dignity and consolation aspect of the funeral service. "Necessary" may not be the right word; but there's no doubt that flowers at a funeral or other end of life ceremony serve many valuable purposes including a means of visual expression of sympathy, love and respect or a means of lending support.

The preparation of the body of the deceased can involve a number of different tasks performed by a trained and licensed embalmer, as well as restorative artists. Without going into too much detail, the body is temporarily preserved by embalming; it is washed, dressed and otherwise groomed; then placed in the chosen casket for viewing. Should you wish to know more about the process, contact us.

The cost of a funeral service is wholly dependent on the specific services and products selected by the person responsible for making the funeral arrangements. The funeral director will thoroughly explain all options and ask important questions about the family's budget restrictions. Otherwise, the funeral director will do everything possible to provide a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life that meets your emotional and social needs, all the while respecting your financial expectations.

Black used to be the only colour to wear at a funeral, but not anymore. Today, things are less formal than they once were, and it's more common to see families ask prospective guests to avoid wearing black clothing altogether. Should you have additional questions about funeral attire or etiquette, please contact us.