Pre-planning means discussing and documenting the funeral, cremation or memorial arrangements you would prefer.

It can include your choice of service, personal requests, disposition instructions, obituary information and financial preferences.

No.

You may document your wishes without paying in advance. Prepayment is a separate decision.

Our team can explain both options and provide written information about any financial arrangement you choose to consider.

Yes.

A pre-plan can state that you prefer a simple, direct cremation without visitation or a formal ceremony.

You can also record what you would like your family to do with the cremated remains and whether you would like them to hold their own private gathering later.

Yes.

The Simply Cremation and Family Good-Bye Package provides an opportunity for close family members to spend private time together before cremation.

Your pre-plan can identify who you would like present and any personal or cultural requests you may have.

Yes.

Pre-planning is not limited to direct cremation.

You may plan a memorial service, ceremonial service or traditional funeral service. You can also include music, readings, speakers, religious traditions, photographs and other personal elements.

In most circumstances, preferences can be updated.

Changes involving prepaid products or services will be handled according to the terms of the written agreement. Additional costs may apply if you select more extensive services or different merchandise.

Request written confirmation whenever changes are made.

Review your plan after a significant life event, such as:

• Marriage or divorce
• Death of a spouse or family member
• Relocation
• A change in executor
• A change in your health
• A change in religious or personal beliefs
• A major change in your financial circumstances
• A change in your preferred service

Even without a major change, periodically confirm that contact information is still accurate.

Pre-planning involves deciding and documenting what you want.

Pre-funding or prepayment involves making a financial arrangement in advance for some or all of the selected products and services.

You may choose one without the other.

That depends on the agreement.

Certain goods and services may be guaranteed, while other expenses may be charged at the price in effect when the services are required.

Your contract should clearly identify:

• What is guaranteed
• What is not guaranteed
• Third-party expenses
• Possible additional charges
• Cancellation and transfer terms

Depending on the arrangement, prepaid funds may be held through a trust or used to fund an approved insurance-based product.

Your written agreement should identify how the arrangement is funded and where the money or policy is held.

Contact us so we can review your plan.

Depending on the agreement and your new location, the plan may be transferred, modified or cancelled. Transportation costs and differences in local services may also need to be considered.

The process will depend on where the death occurs.

A local funeral provider, government authority, insurance company, transportation provider or consular office may need to assist.

Travel and repatriation expenses are not automatically included in every funeral pre-plan. Review any travel coverage separately and make sure your family knows whom to contact.

The person legally authorized to make arrangements at the time of death will still be involved in authorizing the services.

Clearly documenting your preferences and discussing them with your family can reduce the likelihood of uncertainty or changes.

You may include instructions in your estate documents, but you should also communicate your wishes directly to your executor and family.

Make sure they know that Simply Cremations holds your pre-planning information and where your copies are stored.

Consult a lawyer for advice concerning your will, personal directive, power of attorney or estate plan.

Information may include:

• Full legal name
• Date and place of birth
• Address
• Marital status
• Social Insurance Number
• Alberta Personal Health Number
• Parents’ names and birthplaces
• Executor or next-of-kin information
• Service preferences
• Obituary information
• Cemetery or cremated-remains instructions

You do not need to have every detail available before your first appointment.

You may begin the process privately, but we strongly recommend eventually telling at least one trusted person.

A plan is most effective when your family or executor knows:

• That the plan exists
• Which funeral provider to contact
• Where the documents are kept
• Who is responsible for making arrangements

These can include:

• A burial plot
• Columbarium niche
• Opening and closing fees
• Cemetery administration fees
• Memorial marker or engraving
• Installation and maintenance charges

Ask for a clear explanation of which expenses are included and which must be arranged directly with a cemetery.

Yes.

You may record whether you prefer:

• An urn kept by family
• Burial in a cemetery
• Placement in a columbarium
• Scattering in a meaningful location
• Division among family members
• Memorial jewellery or keepsakes

Permission is required before scattering on property that you do not own.

Simply Cremations will retain the arrangement information according to its recordkeeping procedures.

You should also keep a copy and provide one to your executor or a trusted family member.

Make sure your family knows which Simply Cremations location to contact.