This guide aims to answer some key questions about making funeral or cremation arrangements in Calgary, Alberta. We provide an overview of some legal aspects of making funeral plans specific to Alberta funeral laws and what funeral or cremation costs to expect.
With the average traditional funeral in Calgary, Alberta costing between $7,000 and $10,000, and that’s before a cemetery plot & memorial/grave marker are added to the total bill, it’s not hard to see why more and more families in Alberta are looking at cremation as an alternative.
First Call: What to do when a death occurs in Calgary, Alberta
Once you have found a funeral service provider that meets your needs, one of the first things you will need to do is to register the death with the government. The Registration of Death form will normally be completed when funeral arrangements are being made at the funeral home. The funeral home will register the death and send the required documents to Vital Statistics. After a death had been registered you will be able to order Death Certificates from a registry agent as needed. There is a $20 charge for each death certificate ordered, however registry agents will usually charge additional service fees which can vary. It ordinarily takes 3 business days for processing by Vital Statistics once documents have been received, and additional time for delivery.
Who has the responsibility of paying for funeral arrangements in Calgary, Alberta?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, then the immediate next of kin is responsible for making and paying for funeral arrangements. This can be quite a burden, and is why more seniors today are considering setting up simple cremation arrangements.
Pre-planning can be simple and affordable, and give family peace of mind for when the time comes. Be aware that whomever signs the funeral contract with the funeral home is considered legally responsible for payment of the funeral bill.
How much does a funeral cost in Calgary, AB?
A funeral can be a significant expense, depending on what kind of service you opt for. You can expect to spend anything between $4,000 to $12,000 for a funeral in Alberta. The funeral director will charge a ‘professional service fee’ that usually covers their basic services to transport the deceased, obtain the medical certificate of death, register the death and complete all necessary government forms.
Depending on whether you opt for a burial or cremation, you may have additional costs for such things as embalming, a casket and/or an urn and cemetery burial plot. Other indirect costs can be things like the services of an officiant, clergy and organist, obituary notices and flowers. A funeral home MUST provide you with a ‘General Price List’ that specifically itemizes their charges. A funeral home cannot refuse to accept funeral merchandise (such as a casket) that you have purchased from another source.
How much does a cremation service cost in Calgary, AB?
A cremation with a service will cost in the region of $2,800 to $4,000 in Calgary, whereas a direct cremation can be arranged for just $1,295 with the DFS Memorials provider.
If you decide to have a cremation for your loved one then a casket or container will be required for the service. It is often possible to rent casket from the funeral home for the funeral service, this can help keep funeral costs down, and make it even more affordable if you have a specific financial budget in mind. Your funeral service provider will be able to advise you whether they have this option available.
What is my most affordable funeral option in Calgary?
A direct cremation is your most affordable and simple funeral option. A direct cremation simply means that the deceased remains are collected from the place of death, cremated and the remains returned to the family in a basic urn. The family can then choose to do as they wish with the cremated remains, including holding their own memorial service at a place and time suitable for all family members to attend, and/or an ash-scattering.
Canadian Funeral Online works with DFS Memorials of Canada to connect people at their time of need with a local, funeral home that offers a low-cost funeral. We select licensed, local funeral directors who understand the need to balance cost and dignity.
How can I save on funeral expenses?
If you opt for a direct cremation, you could also opt to hold your own memorial service at a time which is convenient for you and your family. This can even be done at home and is another way to save on funeral costs by allowing you to have your own ‘send-off’, without the need to pay out for a funeral service. Oftentimes, this can feel more personal and give you and your family the opportunity to say farewell to your loved one in peace, with less stress or hassle.
Can I Pre-plan a Funeral or Cremation in Calgary?
More people are opting to pre-plan and pre-pay for funeral arrangements to unburden their loved ones at their time of passing. Pre-financing a funeral can be done in installments or in a lump sum payment. Funeral homes who offer a preplanning service must have licensed, pre-need qualified staff, and the funds are usually held in trust which cannot be accessed until a copy of the statement of death is issued. It is worth noting, however, that it is a good idea to discuss any pre-financing arrangements with family so that they are aware that the money is in a trust before they make arrangements inadvertently.
Read our post on How to create a simple cremation plan in Canada to learn more about how to make simple and affordable cremation arrangements.
Where can I Scatter My Loved Ones Ashes in Calgary, AB?
The scattering of cremated remains on public land is not prohibited in Alberta under provincial laws and regulations, such as the Public Lands Act, the Public Lands Administrative Regulation, the Water Act and the Water Regulations. However, when scattering ashes, you should consider the impact to the public and to the environment. You can find more guidelines on scattering ashes on the Open Government site for Alberta.
What to Do if a Death Occurs outside of Alberta, or the deceased needs transporting to another Province or Country?
If your loved one dies outside of Alberta and needs transporting back to the province, you will need the services of a funeral home experienced in funeral shipping. A local funeral home will usually coordinate with a funeral home at the place where the deceased’s body is and arrange the transfer of the remains. Shipping a body is more costly than shipping cremated remains, and there is paperwork that needs to be completed also.
As a general guide the fee for handling the transfer of remains internationally can be around $4,000 plus the actual shipping fee from the airline. Visit our Funeral Shipping page for more information.
Can I Arrange a Whole Body Donation in Calgary, AB?
Yes, the University of Calgary has a Body Donation Program (for those wishing make an anatomical gift. Donating your body to science can be a wonderful way to leave a lasting legacy to future generations.
You can contact them at:
University of Calgary – Health Sciences Centre
B723
3330 Hospital Drive NW,
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1
403-220-6895
What help is available for funeral expenses in Calgary, AB?
Alberta Human Services may provide basic funeral services for those receiving assistance from Alberta Works- Income Support, AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), or indigent persons. Basic funeral services are provided for under an Agreement with funeral homes in Alberta.
Furthermore, the Victims of Crime Financial Benefit Program provides a death benefit to eligible victims that have died of violent crime in Alberta. Funeral costs may be claimed by the person who has paid these costs. If you have any questions about the Financial Benefits Application, call the program at 780-427-7217. Additional information is also available at http://www.victims.alberta.ca
Read our post on Funeral Assistance for more information on where to find help.
Are there any green funeral alternatives available in Calgary, AB?
If you would prefer a greener funeral alternative your options are somewhat limited in Alberta. However, there are a few options, such as Rosehill Cemetery in Southwest Edmonton. Rosehill has space for nearly 900 green graves as part of The Meadows of Rosehill, a one-acre plot of land at the back of its site. They are currently one of the few cemeteries in Alberta that offer green burials, however this is likely to change as more people look for a greener alternative to a traditional burial or cremation.
To find out more, visit our Guide to Green Burial in Canada.
What happens if the deceased is at the coroner or medical examiner’s office?
If a person’s death is unexpected and the cause of death is not immediately known or when the death is the result of violence due to an accident, suicide, or homicide, it will be investigated by the Office of the Chief Coroner. After an investigation has been carried out and a cause of death has been established, the body will be released to the next of kin. After which the family can proceed to make the funeral arrangements
If you have further questions about identifying the body and making arrangements for the transfer of the deceased, you can contact OCME for Calgary on 403-297-8123 and they can be found at:
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
4070 Bowness Road NW
Calgary, Alberta T3B 3R7
Who Can I Contact if I Have a complaint or Grievance With a Funeral Home in Calgary, AB?
If you have a grievance with a funeral home you should first attempt to resolve it with them directly. If you have already attempted to resolve it with the funeral home concerned then you should write to the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB). You can call the Board office on 1.800.563.4652 to request a complaint form, or you can find a print a form from the Forms Section of their website.
Lastly, Feel free to contact us at Canadian Funerals Online and we will try and help you if you have further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation service.
