Pre Planning

"Peace of mind for you and your loved ones."

Thousands of Canadians pre-plan funerals for themselves and/or a loved one each year. They may do this as part of their estate planning or just because they want to be part of the decision making process for their eventual death. In either case they achieve peace of mind in knowing that their survivors will have fewer decisions to make at a time of grief and distress.

Planning your funeral arrangements ahead of time allows you to make clear and thought out decisions under calm and rational circumstances.

Our licensed funeral directors; Patrick Curry, Joanne Curry and Frank Cormier are available at your convenience to explain step by step, the funeral options available to you and to provide a written record of your wishes.

The First Step

A family discussion of funeral planning, although sensitive, can be a very satisfying experience for you and the ones you love. Realizing that funerals are for the living, you are wise to seek input from those who may survive you, loved ones who will be most affected by your passing. Consequently the preplanning process provides an opportunity to put all of your affairs in order in a relaxed, unhurried way.

Pre Funding your Funeral Arrangements

There are various types of prepayment plans available; however, there are two methods commonly used - the placement of money in trust or the purchase of funeral insurance.

In Nova Scotia, money for prepaid funerals must, by law, be placed in trust at a financial institution recognized by government under the Cemetery and Funeral Services Act. The seller, the funeral service provider, must be licensed under the Act. You and the provider must enter into a written contract which provides for the supply of specific goods and services at any time in the future for the amount of money in the trust. Upon receipt of your money, the provider should issue you a copy of the deposit slip for the financial institution holding the funds in trust. You should also receive, within two weeks, a receipt from the financial institution verifying that the money has been received. Once the trust has been established, the only way for the money to be accessed is to provide proof of death to the institution or the cancellation of the contract, in writing, to the institution. The financial institution we have contracted with, allows for both lump sum payments or monthly payments over a specified period of time. We can explain these options in more detail.

The other method, insurance products, require careful consideration. Without sufficient funeral knowledge, you could end up with too little or too much insurance. Before you purchase an insurance product it is advisable to consult with your funeral service provider on the current cost of the funeral services you desire. Your should insure that the insurance provider is a reputable company that is registered wit the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Compensation Corporation (For more information contact Comp, Corp. at 1-800-268-8099). It is also important to establish if the insurance product has a growth factor in the policy. If so, you may be able to enter into a contract with the funeral provider by having the insurance policy assigned to the funeral home. In Nova Scotia, funeral homes are not licensed to sell insurance and insurance agents are not licensed to sell funerals. It is wise to consult with your funeral service provider before you buy any funeral insurance product.

Preplanning and pre paying a funeral should be a rewarding and satisfying experience for both you and your loved one. You should feel confident that your wishes will be carried out to your satisfaction and that any monetary considerations are secure. We are prepared to assure you of both.