<<
Back
Is a funeral service required?
Experts in the grief process universally recognize the
value of the ceremony for surviving family and friends.
A ceremony is important for many reasons: in some religions,
it is the event
which marks the transition from life to after-life; in others,
it's one step towards a higher level of existence.
Whatever your belief, a ceremony provides others the opportunity
to acknowledge and remember achievements of the life of
the deceased, to mark their passing in a significant way,
and provides comfort, sympathy, and meaning to survivors.
A funeral also helps some accept the reality of death,
and allows us to share our grief with others. The funeral
ceremony can provide the opportunity for friends to show
they care about the bereaved, and to offer their support
during a difficult time.
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 options are available if I choose
burial?
Burial is still the most common method of final disposition.
Most families have a graveside ceremony immediately after
the funeral ceremony, conducted by a clergy member, the
funeral director or a friend.
For loved ones, seeing the deceased committed to earth
can be a painful but important ritual. It helps some accept
the reality of death - often the first important step towards
healing.
Direct disposition, where the deceased is buried without
a formal viewing, visitation or ceremony, is another option,
but experts on grief feel that healing can take longer if
the loved one isn't memorialized in some way. A funeral
ceremony or memorial service allows loved ones to share
grief together and publicly celebrate the life of the one
they loved.
If the family chooses burial, the funeral director helps
with the selection of a casket. There is a wide selection
of choices and prices ranging from several hundred dollars
to several thousand, depending on the type of casket.
Graveside markers are often added to the cemetery plot,
either before the service or weeks later. Find out the options
available at your cemetery, as some do have restrictions
about the type of marker. Some Calgary cemeteries also require
the purchase of a vault in conjunction with burial, while
other cemeteries do not - be sure to ask what your options
are.
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 options are available if I choose
cremation?
Many people choose cremation because of religious or cultural
reasons, or just because of personal preference. Selecting
cremation does not restrict the family's options when it
comes to having a ceremony or funeral service. The family
can still choose visitation or viewing prior to the funeral,
and some funeral homes rent caskets for this purpose.
Families have a choice between a funeral service, where
the casket or cremated remains are present in an urn or
other container. They may also select a memorial service
where the cremated remains are not present. A memorial service
can be held anywhere - in a church, funeral home, chapel,
community hall, hotel, private club or family home, and
is usually within a few days or weeks of the death.
For final disposition, the urn or container is usually
buried in a cemetery plot, placed in a columbarium above
ground, or scattered at the cemetery gardens. Or, families
can choose to scatter ashes in another place of significance.
Cemeteries vary regarding arrangements for ashes, so it's
best to check with the individual cemetery.
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 options are there for the cremation
urn?
Many options are available for the final disposition of
the ashes:
Burial
Some cemeteries have urn gardens for burial of an urn, above-ground
columbariums, or will allow burial in the family plot, while
others have scattering grounds as part of the cemetery.
Memorial Vessels
Cremation allows the family to retain the cremated remains,
either in one urn or a number of smaller ones to distribute
among family. Some people place a small portion of cremated
remains in a memorial vessel, such as a necklace or bracelet.
Scattering
Scattering cremated remains in a meaningful location can
be considered. Sometimes the family marks the site with
a small memorial plaque so it can later be revisited. Since
scattering is irreversible, it's best to think about it
in advance, as grieving persons sometimes make choices they
later wish they hadn't.
In Alberta (Canada), scattering cannot occur over water,
but is permitted on most crown and public lands, and national
parks, but permission must always be obtained ahead of time.
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 are my options at Calgary's Mausoleum?
Mausoleum burial is becoming more popular with many communities
as an alternative to ground burial. Calgary's first mausoleum
is housed at Queen's Park Cemetery, and is a city owned
facility.
A mausoleum provides permanent above-ground entombment,
and is based on popular European traditions dating back
before the time of Christ.
The casket is placed into the mausoleum wall and sealed.
The wall of a mausoleum is generally about five to six caskets
in height. In Calgary, crypt panels are made from high-quality
Italian marble with plaques or photographs for the deceased
as a memorial tribute. Flower vases can be affixed to the
wall as well.
Calgary's mausoleum offers a variety of configurations
and prices ranges, starting at about $5,280. For more information,
call the Calgary Cemeteries and Mausoleum information line
at (403) 221-3660.
What about cultural customs, and traditions
for the funeral service?
As the ethnic fabric of our society grows, the customs and
traditions surrounding funerals change. Expression of grief
is different for every group, but everyone shares a need
to mark the passing of a life with affection, dignity and
respect.
If you are uncertain about different cultural or religious
backgrounds, and this has kept you from attending a funeral
or expressing sympathy, a little knowledge can help. Here
are a few examples of customs and traditions which can be
part of a funeral service (examples may vary according to
personal tastes and beliefs):
