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| When a family or individual pre-arranges a funeral,
the funeral director gathers all the information similar to when
a death has actually occurred. There is an Information For Pre-Arranged
Funeral Form available upon request that details the information
we require. Once the form is completed, independently or with
a funeral director, we keep it on file in our office. You will
have a copy for your records. If any changes occur, such as address,
marital status, etc., please notify us so our files will be up
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| Pre-arranging your funeral is the first and more important step.
Then you may choose to pre-pay what you have arranged. A decision
to pre-pay should be based solely on your own personal financial
position. We will discuss the options with you. Any money pre-paid
cannot be used by the funeral home until time of death. In accordance
with the Funeral Director's Establishment Act, the money is invested
at a chartered financial institution and held in trust where it
collects interest until time of death. The interest that accumulates
is used to cover any increase in the cost of the funeral. Any
amount remaining after all funeral expenses have been paid is
returned to the estate. |
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| We assist in writing the obituary with the help
of family members and place the notice in requested newspapers.
The cost of the notice will be included in pre-payment. The invoice
from the paper will be sent to the funeral home and we will pay
it as a disbursement.
Most newspapers will accept obituary notices only from funeral
homes.
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| We can order flowers for your family, or you may order flowers
at whatever florist you request, and the florist will invoice
us. |
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| Reception at the funeral home (if available) or Knox Presbyterian
Hall. Caterers usually provide sandwiches, relishes, deserts and
beverages for visitors. We also arrange with family church for
reception if desired. |
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| With Pre-paid guaranteed contracts, the discount is applied
only at the time of purchase. |
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| Charges for newspapers, flowers, minister, etc. will be charged
at the exact same cost as were charged to the funeral home. |
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| The organist fee for a service in the funeral home chapel. Fees
may vary at churches. |
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| It is good to think about special music, a soloist, piper, etc.
and include your preference on the pre-arrangement form. Our staff
organist is always available for services in our chapel and on
occasion, will play in a church if the regular organist is not
available. If the service is being held in a church, the clergy
and family normally make arrangements for the organist. The cost
of our staff organist or the church organist can be included in
the pre-payment.
What if I don't have a car to get to and from the funeral home
or church?
At no additional cost, we will provide transportation for family
to and/or from the funeral home or church.
How do I select an organization for charitable donations?
Donations are usually arranged through the funeral home. We
prepare cards for each in memoriam donation made, including
the selected charity and the donor's name and address. These
cards are a permanent record for family members and a help in
sending thank you cards.
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Yes they can. You make an appointment with the staff at the
cemetery of your choice or we can arrange an appointment for
you.
Most cemeteries will accept pre-payment for graves. If pre-paid,
the cost of the grave is guaranteed. However, if you decide
not to use the grave(s) and you want to sell it (them), most
cemeteries will not refund any of the interest earned and will
buy back the grave(s) at a price to be determined.
There is a fee to open and close the grave and that fee can
also be pre-paid at the cemetery or funeral home. We pay the
cemetery fee and include it in our invoice.
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- Elmdale
- Holy Angel's (St. Thomas)
- McArthur (Southwold)
- Christ Church (Port Stanley)
- Union
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- Sparta Cemetery
- Fingal
- Queen of Peace Cemetery (Aylmer)
- St. Thomas & South Park
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- Orwell
- Shedden
- Aylmer Cemetery
- Old English Church Yard (St. Thomas)
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After cremation, the remains are returned to the funeral home
in a plastic container or in an urn purchased by the family.
There is no legal status to cremated remains. Many families
have them buried in a cemetery lot and a marker placed. Some
families decide to keep the cremated remains at home; some scatter
them and others return them for burial to the birthplace of
the person who has died.
When deciding on the final disposition, it is important to
give consideration to the surviving family members. For many
people, visiting a gravesite for weeks, months, even years after
the funeral is invaluable in coming to terms with their loss.
A compromise may be to scatter some and bury the remainder.
Whatever is done with the cremated remains, it is important
that the person responsible for their disposition is in possession
of the funeral director's Proof of Death Certificate and a Certificate
of Cremation that is provided by the crematorium.
Is there assistance for family members who have to travel long
distance?
Most major airlines offer Compassionate Air Fares for immediate
family members. Each airline defines "immediate family
member" in a slightly different way and procedures and
regulations vary. You may want to check with the airlines to
determine their policies. Compassionate Air Fares usually reduce
the price of the ticket by 35% to 40%.
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If you have any other questions, please call and we will be
glad to assist you.
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