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What are the costs related to funerals?
The following are four basic areas to consider when discussing
costs with a funeral director:
Fee for professional services.
Professional services vary depending on the funeral service
requested, but usually include transportation of the deceased,
completing legal documents for the coroner, securing burial
or cremation permits, embalming, consultation with the family,
clergy or cemetery staff, providing staff for the funeral
service, use of the funeral home's chapel and facilities,
and use of funeral vehicles.
Purchase or rental of a casket and/or cremation container.
Depending on whether the deceased will be buried, cremated,
or placed in a mausoleum, the purchase
of these items, and a monument will need to be arranged.
Other items such as memorial booklets or personalized service
cards may also be provided for guests attending the service.
Cemetery costs
In Alberta (Canada), burial must be made in registered cemeteries.
Costs vary widely, so ask your cemetery or funeral home
about burial costs and options. If cremation is requested,
there are fees for cremation, and placement of the deceased
in a cemetery or mausoleum.
Additional options
These include newspaper notices, musicians, clergy honorariums,
and flowers. Each service is a personal reflection of the
life of the deceased, so costs can vary considerably.
If you are comparing different funeral homes, remember
there is more to consider than costs - some funeral homes
offer more services than others, or unique services to better
serve the family. It can also be a good idea to visit the
funeral home facilities before making a decision so that
you are better informed
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
What financial decisions need to be made
after a death occurs?
Even though this may be the furthest from your mind, there
are a number of financial matters that need to be settled
fairly soon after a death:
- Make an estate inventory, or a complete record of all
important business and personal documents, detailing where
each original document can be found
- Notify financial institutions of the death, starting
with personal and joint bank accounts
- Consider keeping joint accounts open for a few months,
to allow the spouse the option of continuing to deposit
cheques in the deceased's name
- If accounts are not joint, funds could be frozen until
the estate is settled, so you may need to draw on other
investments temporarily
- Check outstanding balances on credit cards or loan agreements
and make arrangements for payment
- Find the deceased's original life insurance policy and
contact the agent
- Check if you are eligible for death benefit payments
or pensions, as failure to apply could result in lost payments
if you are eligible (see other questions on this site, or
contact McInnis & Holloway for information on benefits
available)
- Ensure an individual tax return is filed for the deceased
according to requirements in your country
Financial advisors, accountants or lawyers should also
be contacted for more information on any of these subjects.
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
If I am a veteran, what benefits are available
to cover funeral expenses?
If you are a veteran who served with the Allied Forces
during World War I, World War II, or the Korean Conflict,
the Department of Veteran's Affairs may cover expenses for
basic funeral services (burial or cremation) and may pay
for a specified casket, rental casket, cremation urn, a
memorial monument, and GST.
The Last Post Fund will not cover such items as an organist,
service folders or flowers, and some restrictions may apply
regarding the burial site or cemetery location. Families
may upgrade the basic service or type of casket at their
own expense.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- The total value of the veteran's estate must not exceed
$12,015 for a married veteran, plus $2,060 for each dependent
child
- Eligibility is calculated using both the veteran's and
spouse's assets after funeral expenses, excluding the value
of the house and one automobile
- A veteran who is widowed, divorced or separated is treated
as a single person and is eligible to an estate maximum
of $5,000
Similar financial assistance is offered to deceased members
of the National Defence of Canada to cover funeral expenses
and a casket, to a maximum of $3,675 to $4,190.
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
Will Canada Pension Plan (CPP) cover funeral
expenses?
The Canada Pension Plan offers two kinds of financial assistance
for families of contributors:
Death benefit to cover funeral expenses.
The one-time death benefit payment is paid to the deceased's
estate, up to a maximum of $2,500, based on the length of
time contributions to CPP have been made.
Monthly pension for survivors.
Surviving spouses and dependent children may receive a pension
if the deceased contributed to CPP for three consecutive
years or more (some restrictions apply).
For those who qualify, surviving spouses may receive:
- A maximum pension of up to $451 per month (depending
on age, whether they receive other pensions, and length
of time contributions were made)
- Up to $171.33 per month for each dependent child - a
dependent child is defined as being under 18 years of age,
or between 18 and 25 and in full-time attendance at school,
college or university
- Benefits from the month after the contributor's death
These benefits are paid only to those who apply, and although
back payments may be made, failure to apply within a year
of the death will result in lost benefits. Applications
may be made to Health and Welfare Canada, Income Security
Program. Call (403) 292-5559 in Calgary, Alberta for an
appointment, or call toll free 1-800-277-9914
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
Is there government assistance for funeral
expenses and widow's pension?
In the province of Alberta, no one is ever denied the dignity
of a funeral. If a family is unable to pay, the government
department of Alberta Family and Social Services can provide
assistance for basic funeral services, a casket, and cemetery
or cremation fees.
This assistance is available to those not eligible for
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, and in most cases is
offered to persons already receiving assistance from Alberta
Family and Social Services. Assistance may also be offered
to persons who are under the Assured Income for Severely
Handicapped (AISH) program.
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
What is covered by insurance policies
or Worker's Compensation?
Many families rely on the deceased's regular life insurance
policy to help cover the cost of a funeral. After a death
has occurred, find the original policy, as it will be needed
to settle the claim and receive final payment from the insurance
company. The company may request a copy of the Funeral Director's
Statement of Death. It's best to apply right away, as it
can take a few weeks or months for the funds to arrive.
Financial assistance for funerals is also available from
the Worker's Compensation Board, when a work-related death
occurs. Although certain criteria must be met, the Board
will pay up to $1,300 for costs resulting from the work-related
death, and up to $8,150 for burial, cremation, funeral or
memorial services for the worker. An additional $500 to
$1,000 may also available for transportation of the deceased.
The Worker's Compensation Board also pays monthly survivor's
benefits to a maximum of $2,285 per month, and $179 per
month for a dependent child. Alberta residents should call
the Worker's Compensation Board in Edmonton at (403) 427-1216
(collect) for more information.
The Crimes Compensation Board also awards benefits for
victims of violent crimes which occur in Alberta. To receive
the benefit, an application must be filed, and a decision
is made by the Board after a review hearing. Forms are available
from the Crimes Compensation Board in Edmonton by calling
the toll-free government operator at 310-0000 and asking
to be connected to 427-7217.
If you have a question you would like answered by one of
our funeral directors (at no obligation),
click here
to send us an e-mail.
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