When someone passes, a funeral ceremony is the one (and sometimes the only) opportunity for family and a community to come together to acknowledge that death and to recognize the shared loss. It is an opportunity to share the burden of grief and is an important step towards healing.
The range in Ontario can be between $1,500 and $20,000. In many provinces the average is about $8,000 to $9,000. Each funeral includes both fixed and optional costs so the final cost will depend on the choices made by the family. We will gladly provide you with a copy of our current price list which includes all possible costs.
Try thinking about funerals, memorial services and celebrations-of-life as three points on a spectrum. At one end is the funeral; at the other, the celebration-of-life, and in the middle, the memorial service. The funeral is most commonly the most expensive of the three; which is especially easy to see when you consider the cost of the casket is a significant expense. The cost of any of the three is totally dependent on the choices you make during the arrangement conference.
People attend a funeral to demonstrate support for the bereaved family and to tend to their own sorrow following the death of someone they held dear. The service details are usually published in the newspaper or online so that those who wish to attend are able to do so. You may also want to reach out to certain individuals by phone, email, or social media to ensure they are aware of the service date/time. Listen to your heart and use common sense. You know the people that mattered most to your loved one, Consider the capacity of the venue you are choosing to be able to handle the number of people you believe may decide to be present.
"Necessary" may not be the right word; but there is no doubt flowers at a funeral or other end-of-life ceremony are a visual expression of sympathy, love and respect and a means of lending support. Our staff are experienced in helping families order floral tributes. We will also provide families with photographs of the floral tributes that arrive as a permanent remembrance.
The preparation of the deceased can involve a number of different tasks performed by trained and licensed embalmers and restorative artists. Without going into too much detail; the body is temporarily preserved by embalming, refrigeration or a combination of the two. 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. There are also many excellent articles online describing the process in greater detail.
Sometimes we need to see in order to truly believe. It is a way of confirming the fact that, indeed, this individual has passed but it is also an opportunity to say your "good-byes". You may find it a time where you can quietly share a long-held secret, let go of any anger or resentment and otherwise come to terms with the death of a person.
It is 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. Tell them there will be time for some people to stand up and talk about how much they loved the person (but they will not be required to do so). Let them ask all the questions they need to ask. Reassure them you will be right next to them throughout the experience. We suggest to never force them to go to a funeral, and always give them the opportunity to change their mind about attending.
A Celebrant is a professional trained to conduct a ceremony or ritual to serve basic needs of society and the individual. The Celebrant's mission is to help the client create a ceremony that reflects his or her beliefs, philosophy of life, and personality. A celebrant is especially valuable when a family has no religious affiliations or ties to a clergy person or minister who can officiate the funeral service, Involving a celebrant in the funeral planning process can often enhance the funeral experience for all concerned. "The Celebrant comes to the table with no agenda and no preconceived notion of what the ceremony should or must look like. Instead, through careful interviewing, the Celebrant plans what is meaningful for each client. If you think hiring a celebrant is the right for your family's situation, contact us for more details.
It is common to have a service range from 30 to 90 minutes but it all depends on the scope of what the family has chosen to occur. We can help you estimate service timing when we have an opportunity to chat.
Black used to be the only colour to wear to a funeral but not anymore. Today things are less formal than they once were. Clothing choices should be respectful overall. Should you have additional questions about funeral attire or etiquette, please contact us.