Complete Understanding of Cremation Pricing With Country Hills Crematorium

Cremation costs can vary dramatically depending on location and level of services. For example, the cost of a simple cremation in Calgary with the remains returned to the family will cost significantly less than having a full funeral with the body present before cremation. The good news is, you can get a good idea of the range of prices so you can avoid sticker shock when you start shopping for Calgary cremation services.

There are 3 primary types of cremations available in Calgary:

1. Cremation with traditional service

Typically the highest cost option. Incorporates the benefits of both a traditional funeral service and cremation, including embalming and a casket rental. Cremation is performed following the funeral services. 

2. Cremation with memorial service

With a memorial service, the cremated remains need not be present. Cremation with a memorial service is a way to honour the memory of a loved one in much the same way as you would during a funeral service. 

3. Cremation without ceremony (also known as direct cremation)

With direct cremation, there are no ceremonial services involved. The body is cremated shortly after passing, without embalming, viewing or visitation. This is usually the cheapest and most affordable cremation option.

Direct Cremation

A direct cremation is the most economical type of cremation in Calgary. Prices can range widely but you can generally expect to pay $1,500-$2,500 for a direct cremation.

Simply put, with direct cremation there is no memorial service and no funeral. The deceased is transported directly to the crematorium and the remains are returned to the family in a temporary container. The following elements are generally included in the cost of a direct cremation:

    • Transportation of the deceased from the place of death or funeral home to the crematorium.

    • Body preparation, if required. For example, medical devices, metals and any other non-combustible materials will be removed. There is no embalming.

    • Handling any necessary permits and paperwork. There may be an extra charge for providing copies of the death certificate.

    • An “alternative container” for the body. This is usually a combustible container made of sturdy material.

    • Use of the cremation chamber for the actual cremation.

    • Return of the remains to the family or loved ones in a basic box or urn.

PRO TIP:

While it is not always the case, it is usually less expensive to purchase cremation directly through a crematory or a specialized cremation-only company rather than purchasing through a funeral home. That’s because most funeral homes do not own their own crematory and will need to subcontract the cremation.

Traditional Cremation

Traditional cremation refers to cremation where a funeral (the body is present) or memorial service is included. This type of cremation is sometimes called classic cremation or full-service cremation.

In most cases, traditional Calgary cremation is arranged through a funeral home. Costs vary widely since every funeral home designs packages differently. On average, traditional cremations in Calgary will cost $3,000-6,000. The exact price will depend on the services you choose. Visitation and viewing, for example, add to the cost. If you choose to have a funeral or viewing, you may be required to purchase embalming. This adds to the cost of Calgary cremation.

A typical traditional cremation package will usually include:

    • Basic services of the funeral director and funeral home staff.

    • Transportation of the deceased from the place of death or funeral home to the crematorium.

    • Embalming and/or body preparation.

    • Handling any necessary permits and paperwork.

    • An alternate container or casket for the body. The casket may be an upgrade.

    • Use of the cremation chamber for the actual cremation.

    • Disposition of the body (burial or mausoleum) or return of remains to the family.

It is especially important that you know what you are buying when you choose traditional cremation. Request an itemized price list and ask lots of questions.

How to Choose the Right Funeral Service

 

Perhaps your loved one is nearing death and you must find a Calgary funeral home quickly. Or you have decided to pick funeral services in Calgary for yourself long before it’s needed, to spare your family the ordeal of making this decision while grieving and pressed for time.

If you have used a funeral home in Calgary in the past, don’t automatically assume it’s the best choice. Without comparing prices and services, you can’t tell whether their fees are reasonable, or whether you've been overcharged in the past.

Use this step-by-step guide to help you find the best Calgary funeral home for you and your family. 

1. Consult your family and decide on a budget

Have you and your family discussed a budget, and decided on an amount that’s affordable for you—that you’re willing and able to spend without hardship? Shopping for a funeral services in Calgary should be like making any major purchase—you know what you can afford before you start shopping. 

2. Weigh your priorities

Ask yourself: 

    • How important is a convenient location? 

    • Do you prefer proximity to your home, place of worship or cemetery? 

    • Is price a critical factor? 

    • How flexible is your budget? If

    •  you or your family used the funeral services in Calgary in the past, how satisfied were you? 

    • Do you have special religious or cultural requirements? 

    • If you want a viewing or service, will you need a large facility with ample parking, high-tech video screens, or handicap-accessibility? 

    • Or is simplicity your first priority?

3. Choose the type of arrangement

You might donate your body to a medical school for research, which in some cases incurs no charge for survivors.

Other very economical choices are “direct cremation” or “direct burial” with no embalming or visitation.

You could consider a funeral service held at home.

Green, or natural burial, in a shroud or simple box, can be very affordable and ecologically friendly.

Perhaps you prefer a traditional earth burial with embalming, visitation and an elaborate funeral service.

Whatever you decide, write down your wishes in detail. The arrangement choice is the biggest factor in helping you determine the best, and most reasonably-priced, funeral home in Calgary for your needs.

5. Get a list and compare prices

You may find a huge price difference for the same options, so doing a cost comparison might save you several thousand dollars. Often those specializing in cremation offer the lowest prices for that service, but not always—be sure to double check.

Call five or six funeral homes in Calgary and get their prices for your chosen arrangement; perhaps ask about casket and urn prices as well. If a particular funeral director seems uncooperative, cross him off your list. Do the costs fit within your budget? If not, you may have to consider a more affordable type of arrangement, look beyond your immediate area for lower prices, or eliminate extra expenses like embalming or visitation.

6. Visit several funeral homes

Make an appointment to visit the Calgary funeral homes if possible. Bring a list of questions and a friend or family member less emotionally invested in the funeral than you are. Ask the funeral home for their General Price List and have the director review it with you. You might want to see an array of urns or caskets, ask about their billing policy or meet the staff. Do you like the facility? Does the funeral director seem helpful and trustworthy, and answer questions willingly? Is he or she sensitive to your values and cultural or religious needs? Don’t select a funeral provider unless you feel completely comfortable with the director and the premises.

At each funeral home, discuss your specific arrangement choices and ask for an itemized statement. It will list the goods and services you have chosen, the price of each item, and total cost. Do not sign anything yet. Take a copy of each statement home to review more carefully, then compare and discuss them with your family.

Once you’ve made your choices, ensure they are well documented for your family to follow or for you to execute if a loved one passed in the near future.

5 Unknown Services Funeral Homes Offer

When someone you love has passed away, it can be a very difficult time. Not only are you grieving the loss of a beloved family member or friend, there is also a lot to do and many decisions to be made. From choosing among the various funeral homes in Calgary, to deciding on disposition and what type of funeral services to hold, there are numerous decisions to make that you may know very little about. An experienced funeral director can walk you through all of these decisions and help you make choices based on your values and those of the deceased. They can also provide assistance with the required paperwork and what happens after the funeral services in Calgary.

While you may be very aware that funeral homes in Calgary will help you to prepare your loved one to be buried or cremated and they help plan viewings and funeral services, many people do not realize all that they offer. In your time of need there are many funeral services in Calgary available to you. Here are five unknown services that funeral homes offer:

    1. Around The Clock Service - When a loved one passes away, the funeral homes in Calgary that you have selected will arrive at your home within one hour of receiving your call. Few people realize that funeral services are accessible at any time of the day or night. Also, preparing the body and planning a funeral often happen in very quick succession and your funeral services team in Calgary will be there to make it all happen as smoothly as possible.

    2. Obituaries - Most funeral homes in Calgary can help you with writing an obituary and getting it published in the local newspaper, as well as available online so it can be shared with family and friends. Writing an obituary and having it published can add a significant amount of stress during this time so most funeral services in Calgary will offer the option for them to do this for you and you should certainly consider taking them up on it.

    3. Pre-Planning - While many people find it morbid to talk about death or their final wishes, it can actually be a huge relief for the survivors if the funeral is pre-arranged, especially if you choose to pre-pay for the options you select. 

    4. Help With Paperwork - Death comes with a lot of paperwork but most of it is commonly seen by the funeral directors you are working with and many funeral homes in Calgary have developed resources to help you figure out the forms required and how to submit for insurance, benefits and taxes. 

    5. Grief Support - Once you have laid your loved one to rest, the funeral home you have chosen will continue to work with you to provide resources for grief support and anything else you may need afterwards.

When a loved one has passed, choose a great funeral home in Calgary and you will receive so much more support than you could expect. Funeral services and the requirements afterwards can be cumbersome but your funeral home is there to help.

 

Funeral Reception Planning Guide - Country Hills Crematorium

 

Quite often the most important part of any funeral is the reception. A reception is the first social event following a funeral where the deceased is not present and represents a new, often difficult reality. A reception is usually held following a funeral or memorial service to offer friends and family the opportunity to meet informally so they can gather together to show their support for one another. The post funeral reception gives mourners the chance to interact, share memories and continue to celebrate the life of someone they cared about. It is important to keep the purpose and value of the reception in mind when planning a funeral reception.

When planning a funeral reception, there are a few key decisions to keep in mind, whether you are planning yourself or sharing your needs with a funeral planner who can put them into action for you.

    1. Choose a location – The appropriate location for planning to have a funeral reception is anywhere that suits you and your guests. A place that was special to the deceased is often chosen and the location can be traditional, such as a church or funeral home reception hall, or non-traditional, such as a favourite restaurant or outdoor location.

    2. Set a tone – Some funeral receptions are celebratory and full of humour, others are more somber and reflective. Consider the person you are there to honour, their wishes, what feels comfortable and the overall attitude of the majority of your attendees to determine the tone or type of funeral reception you are planning.

    3. Personalize the event – A funeral reception is an opportunity to bring mourners together and honour the person who has passed. Personalizing the reception to include religious and cultural observances, personal anecdotes, hobbies and unique details from the life of the deceased and those there to remember them helps to bring life to the occasion and creates a more personal connection for those attending.

    4. Choose food & drink – The reception after a funeral doesn’t have to include alcohol or consist of a full meal. The type of food and drink you serve will depend on financial considerations, the amount of time you have to prepare, religious requirements and cultural factors. Work with your funeral director or the team at the venue you have chosen to determine the appropriate food and drink when planning your funeral reception.

    5. Consider other details – As a part of personalizing the reception, consider adding special touches such as music, videos, slideshows, flowers, unique commemorative adornments and anything else that suits the occasion.

When planning a funeral reception, remember that the purpose of the event is to bring people together to pay their respects and honour the person who has passed away. This will look different for everyone, so take some time to consider what truly matters to you and the other mourners so you can focus on the important stuff and not get stuck in making emotional decisions or overdoing it.

How Funeral Homes are Dealing with Covid

 

Public health measures put in place to minimize the spread of Covid-19 have dramatically affected how funerals are held, who can attend and what can happen during the funeral. While the restrictions will update are the situation requires, there are many things that funeral homes have adopted to keep you safe and help families to say goodbye to their loved ones in a way that honours them and respects all necessary bylaws, restrictions and recommendations.

Funeral homes know that when dealing with a loss of a loved one and making preparations for a service, there are going to be times where there are many emotions. Funeral home staff are committed to providing the care and compassion that is needed during these times.

Recent developments related to the public health crisis with Coronavirus (Covid-19) requires that the necessary steps are taken as directed by the Chief Medical Officer in each area, which means that funeral homes are required to monitor and update any changes to these rules. In response to Covid-19, most funeral homes have implemented important restrictions and measures to comply with keeping their families and communities safe.

Some important changes & restrictions include:

• Services are now limited to 20 people (excluding 2 funeral home staff).

• Visitors coming to pay their respects may come into the funeral home, pay their respects and leave as long as there are no more than 20 people in the building at one time. Visitations can be scheduled to accommodate this.

• Services will be made available through live streaming, at the discretion of the family.

• No family bathing rituals allowed until further notice.

• No service of food and beverages or receptions as part of funeral services.

• We are also asking people to consider, wherever possible, having private family funerals.

When holding a funeral is necessary for a family, funeral home staff want to help them to say goodbye to their loved one in a way that respects the needs of the family and follows the strat guidelines set out by the local government. We will do everything in our power to accommodate your family and guests to pay your respects and honour your loved one.

In some circumstances, a family may choose to wait to have a memorial service for their loved one after the final disposition so that the grieving process can begin the way they would prefer it to. Our funeral services team is always available to help make this happen and can work through the necessary parts of the process with you now but plan the funeral, memorial service or celebration of life at another time when restrictions have lessened.

Often religious rites or cultural observances require that services take place immediately. In that case, the funeral home team will walk you through the current restrictions and help you to plan a funeral service that accommodates your needs within the rules.

Planning a funeral is never easy but Covid-19 restrictions have added an additional layer of confusion and complication. Funeral homes are well equipped to help you navigate this difficult time.

Planning A Funeral Reception During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 If you are planning a funeral reception during the COVID-19 pandemic, your funeral director is here to help, whether you’re planning a small, family-only service or a larger gathering in the future. Regardless of the funeral reception option you choose, it is important to note that, to ensure your safety and the safety of funeral home staff, your funeral the director will be taking additional precautions when helping you make arrangements.

When you are setting up an arrangement the conference, the Calgary funeral home you are working with will likely ask if anyone is feeling ill or if anyone is known to have been exposed to COVID-19. If so, they will request that those individuals join in the discussion by teleconference.

You may also be asked to limit the number of people who come to the funeral home for the arrangement conference. Other family members may be able to join the discussion by teleconference.

 

For your safety, and that of the Calgary funeral home staff, you may be asked to wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) upon arrival at the funeral home and again before you leave. In addition, the funeral director will likely politely decline to shake your hand, again for the safety of everyone involved. Social distancing requirements of at least six feet at all times will also be followed and you may be asked to wear a mask. You will also likely make most of the funeral reception arrangements via video conferencing.

Your funeral director should also inform you about federal, provincial and local rules and recommendations – as well as guidelines issued by local cemeteries – that may affect planning your funeral reception.

 

Questions You May Want to Ask Your Funeral Director

 

Does the Funeral Home provides video conferencing services?

Many funeral homes are equipped to broadcast your Calgary funeral service for guests who are unable to attend. This option provides you with the opportunity to invite family and friends to watch the service from the safety and comfort of their homes.

What are my options if I’m unable to have the funeral I would like to have at this time? 

If COVID-19 restrictions prevent you from having the funeral you would like to have, talk to your funeral director about your options for delaying a service or holding a memorial service in the future. Funeral homes in Calgary can help you to make this happen.

 

What is the funeral home doing to limit exposure to COVID-19?

Your funeral home should be following all required and recommended guidelines to ensure the safety of you, your family and the funeral home staff. Your funeral director can advise you regarding the specific precautions they are taking.

When planning funeral services in Calgary, it’s important to ensure that your loved one is honour in a way that protects the safety, health and wellbeing of your family, friends and the staff at the funeral home. Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your funeral director, who is there to help you navigate this difficult time.