How to Plan a Funeral

Within the first 24 hours of a death occurring, you must meet with our funeral director to begin making final arrangements. This will be a difficult time for you and your loved ones. We will be there to guide you in making decisions and help make this difficult time a bit easier. Planning a funeral service is really a process of answering several questions. 

Who will make the decisions? Will it be you? You will need to think about it. In Ontario, the person named as executor in your loved one's Last Will and Testament oversees all decisions. If your loved one died intestate, there is an order of priority for the next of kin to assume this responsibility. Discuss this with our funeral director to learn more. 

Who will go with you? Deciding on your loved one's final goodbye will be challenging, but not impossible. We will help you in providing the answers to questions you may have. We will help you understand what is involved in planning a funeral and be there to support you in any way that you need. It is a good idea to have someone accompany you to help support you as well.

Who else is involved in the preparations? Does the deceased have children, friends or family that would like to be a part of arranging the funeral? Do you know how the deceased felt about funerals or what his or her final wishes were? You and your loved ones know the deceased better than anyone, and our staff will work with you to help celebrate his or her life.

Do you have the information gathered for the paperwork? When a death occurs, it is a legal matter that requires documentation. To better prepare yourself for arrangements to be made at the funeral home, it will help to bring documents needed. Our funeral director will ask for certain documents to make the funeral arrangements, and will give you a list of documents you will need to settle the estate.

Where will you publish the obituary? There is likely a list of people that were important to your loved one. Our funeral home has several ways of notifying your loved one’s death to people in the community, and beyond. Speak to our funeral director about these options.

Where and when should the service take place? Is there a special place where your loved one would like to have his or her final goodbye? There are many options to holding a service for the deceased. It can be held in our funeral home, or in the community; the options are endless. This is where you can rely heavily on our funeral director to help create a memorable funeral service.

Who will be acting as pallbearers? Pallbearers are the people you have probably seen who carry the casket, urn, or flowers at the service. Have you thought about who will hold this responsibility?

Who will be officiating the service? You can name a religious minister or a non-religious celebrant to officiate at the service. It is your choice to name the person you would prefer.

How will you personalize the service? There are many ways to personalize a visitation period or funeral service. We can help you arrange photographs, a tribute video, and items that were of significance to your loved one. Discuss this with our funeral director; we have years of experience in creating meaningful funeral services.

Will there be a eulogy or a time for people to share stories and memories? Often, family members or friends will be very direct about their desire to speak about the deceased; at other times, you may need to ask folks if they would be willing to share their thoughts and feelings publicly. Either way, you will want to select people who have shared a close relationship with the deceased and have something meaningful to contribute.

What readings and music should you include? Music is an integral part of life for many people, and a visitation or funeral service is the perfect event to showcase the meaningful music of your loved one's life. However, if your loved one did not appreciate music, as many persons don’t, it may be more appropriate to read some spiritual selections, or excerpts from well-known literature.

Will the family go to the cemetery after the service? You will have to decide if your loved one will be buried at a cemetery, or cremated. If the cremated remains were part of the service, will you be bringing them home, or bringing them to the cemetery, or a columbarium afterwards?

Will you have a gathering after the service? Some families choose to have a post-service gathering or luncheon for a time of shared memories, laughter, and support. If you choose to have a gathering, what kind of food and beverages would the deceased have chosen to serve? 

Reach Out to Us

The needs and expectations of families have changed, and we responded with funeral service options tailored to individual needs and expectations. Two generations ago, it was common for traditional funerals to include visitation; a funeral service; and a committal service. It was what everyone expected.

But, as the demand for cremation services increased, there has been a shift in the types of services available. Many more families are choosing cremation, and holding a service afterwards. Family members and friends still come together to pay their respects to the deceased, and to find emotional support, but they do so in more informal ways.

There are no limits to how, when, and where the life of a loved one can be celebrated, and we are here to help. We have years of experience listening, brainstorming, and helping families plan funerals that best pay tribute to a beloved family member. Contact us to speak with a member of our staff.