Your Rights and Choices in Funeral Planning
Navigating the funeral industry can feel overwhelming, with confusing pricing, upselling, and limited choices. Everyone deserves a funeral that aligns with their wishes and budget—without pressure or hidden costs. Read this to learn about your rights and choices in funeral planning.
Planning Ahead Checklist
This checklist offers a helpful guide to planning ahead, making it easier to ensure your wishes are honoured and your loved ones are cared for during life’s difficult moments. By taking the time to plan while you are well and can think clearly, you give yourself and your loved ones the gift of peace of mind and clear guidance for the future.
Funeral planning guidance form “My Wishes”
This form allows you to communicate your funeral service preferences and provide vital statistics information to your next-of-kin and Personal Representative or Executor. It serves as a critical resource to guide your loved ones and should be presented to the funeral home during the initial funeral arrangement process. It is good practice to share this form once completed and to review it periodically.
If a Member has passed, please go to this page.
Wanting to keep a friend or relative at home?
Have you ever had a friend or relative die, and wished you could have kept them at home for a day or two, to take care of the body yourself and say your farewells without pressure? In fact, you can.
Managing Cremated Remains in Alberta: A Guide for CMS Members
Whether your family has chosen cremation for practical or personal reasons, it’s important to understand how to manage and honour cremated remains responsibly.
Bringing Your Own Casket or Urn in Alberta
Discover how Alberta’s funeral services law supports individual choices by allowing families to provide their own casket or urn, provided it meets specific legal and practical requirements.
Writing and Submitting an Obituary: A Guide
An obituary serves as a tribute to the deceased, providing an account of their life, announcing their death, and sharing details about the planned funeral or memorial service. In this document are helpful tips and resources, including obituary templates, to guide you in drafting a meaningful obituary for publication in local newspapers and online.
Estate Planning Worksheet
Designed to guide you through the essential questions and considerations of estate planning, helping you create a comprehensive plan that reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones.
The Importance of Making a Will
In Alberta, a Will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and allows you to name an executor to manage your estate and a guardian for minor children, reducing stress on loved ones and ensuring your intentions are respected.
Selecting Your Personal Representative (Executor)
Choosing the right Personal Representative is crucial because they are responsible for managing your estate, carrying out your wishes, and handling legal and financial matters—mistakes can cause delays, legal issues, and financial losses for your beneficiaries.
A Guide for Personal Representatives in Alberta
Here’s a comprehensive guide for CMS members on Personal Representatives in Alberta and their responsibilities. This guide combines the legal framework, selection criteria, risks, and duties of a Personal Representative (Executor) with a detailed checklist to ensure compliance and efficiency.
Body, Organ, and Tissue Donation in Alberta: What You Need to Know
Planning ahead for body, organ, and tissue donation is a thoughtful decision that can save lives and advance medical research. However, not all donations are accepted, so it’s essential to have other plans in place. Here’s what CMS members need to know about donation and registration.
Dealing with Your Belongings: A Resource for CMS Members
Planning ahead for your belongings can help ease the burden on loved ones and ensure your final wishes are honoured. Here’s a practical guide based on expert advice to help you organize and plan for your possessions.
Helpful Resources
Financial Support and Consumer Rights
Life Planning Education
Care and Support Information
Services Directory
Community Events on Death and Dying
Guides for Religious Funerals
Municipal Cemeteries In Alberta
Green or Natural Burial Locations in Alberta
Selecting Meaningful Readings for a Funeral
Selecting Music for a Funeral
A Guide to Creating a Memorial Slideshow for a Funeral
Preparing a Digital Legacy
Including Pets in Funeral Ceremonies
Planning a Meaningful Farewell: Resources and Guidance
Funeral planning requires thoughtful decisions that balance personal values, cultural traditions, and practical needs. At CMS, we strive to make this process easier by offering clear and compassionate guidance on all aspects of end-of-life planning. Below, you’ll find links to detailed resources designed to help you navigate this journey with confidence and respect.
Funeral Financial Assistance Programs
Funeral costs can be a significant financial burden. Listed in this guide are several programs available to help Alberta families cover some of these expenses.
Religious Traditions and Funerals
Learn how different faiths honour their loved ones through unique customs and ceremonies.
Body Disposition Options in Alberta
In Alberta there are several ways to handle a loved one’s remains, each with its own legal, cultural, and financial considerations. Here’s an overview to help you make an informed decision.
Managing Cremated Remains in Alberta: A Guide for CMS Members
Whether your family has chosen cremation for practical or personal reasons, it’s important to understand how to manage and honour cremated remains responsibly.
Caskets, Urns and Cemeteries
Alberta Municipal Cemeteries
Information about burial options provided by municipalities.
Bringing Your Own Casket or Urn
Know your rights when choosing to supply your own casket or urn.
Personalizing the Service
Writing an Obituary
Tips and guidance for crafting a heartfelt obituary.
Selecting Readings for a Funeral
Choose meaningful readings that reflect the life and legacy of your loved one.
Selecting Music for a Funeral
Find inspiration for music that creates a comforting and memorable ceremony.
Creating a Memorial Slideshow
Discover helpful tips to design a meaningful and respectful funeral slideshow that honours your loved one’s memory.
Including Pets in Funeral Ceremonies
Explore ways to honour the special bond with pets during the service.
Have questions about your Funeral Planning Guidance Form, storing your preferences, or starting a conversation with a loved one?
Visit our Membership Page or Contact Us to connect with CMS for support.