Funeral Planning

Planning Funeral Arrangements

Planning and pre-planning funeral arrangements can be a rewarding experience.

Planning ahead allows you be prepared both financially and personally, so your wishes are carried out and your loved ones have less stress during their time of loss. Planning a funeral also can be a valuable, as it helps to begin the healing process and lets you honor your loved one.

Benefits of Pre-planning

  • Pre-arrangements can be done at your own pace
  • Relieve your family of making uncertain decisions of your wishes
  • You decide on the details – music, flowers, participants, etc.
  • Choose traditional or cremation
  • Should be monies set aside with Purple Shield (Our staff will assist)
  • Choose type of service needed to suit your beliefs

Benefits of Planning

Planning a funeral for the one who has passed is a privilege
Planning a funeral for the one who has passed is a way to express your love and the value of their life
It provides satisfaction of a meaningful tribute
Choose the specific needs of your loved one’s service

Planning Checklist

Information required for use on legal documents, the obituary, and the memorial card.

Vital Statistics

  • Birthdate and place of birth
  • Health Number and Social Insurance Number
  • Name of spouse and date/place of marriage
  • Names of parents (including mother’s maiden name) & their places of birth
  • Occupation

Info for Obituary & Memorial Card

  • what school attended
  • chronological order of life history
  • organizations belonged to, hobbies and interests
  • family listing (include surviving and predeceased): spouse, children and their families, parents, siblings

Service Info

  • photograph(s) (for notices, obituary (optional), memorial card – clothing (only required for casket burial)
  • dress or pants/skirt with blouse or sweater
  • suit, shirt and tie or slacks/jeans with shirt or sweater
  • regular under clothing
  • shoes (optional)
  • jewellery (optional – can be removed before casket is closed and returned to the family if desired) – eye glasses (optional)
  • rosary (optional)

Other Information

  • date, time and place of Prayer Service and/or Funeral Service/Mass
  • presider, celebrant or officiant, crossbearer, intentions, giftbearers, scripture readers, music ministry, memorial table attendants, eulogist, honor guard (optional), honorary pallbearers (optional), active pallbearers
  • place of interment
  • memorial donations: e.g., church/cemetery fund, hospital foundation, nursing home, Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer Society, Lung Association, etc.