First Memorial Funeral Services

  If you’ve taken the lead on planning a funeral for a friend or family member, you have to wade through your own grief while comforting others for their loss. If you need help  planning the funeral  in an appropriate, cost-conscious way, partner with funeral homes in Ottawa that respect your feelings. Additionally,  online funeral arrangements  allow you to make the necessary decisions from the comfort and privacy of your home. To make it easier to find the right words, we have outlined five things to say when comforting bereaved families and five things to avoid during this sensitive time. Five Things to Say to Comfort Grieving Loved Ones Let your friend or family member know that you care without belabouring the point. They may not feel like talking, and that’s okay. Here are five tried and true ways to express care and sympathy without deepening the mourner’s pain. I’m     sorry for your loss.” This is a short, effective way to express your   ...

  Many people leave   funeral planning   to their loved ones, avoiding the opportunity to make arrangements before their death. Funeral costs can put financial stress on a family at an already difficult time. It can feel undignified to speak about money and finances during the arrangement process. Consider that a funeral is a large purchase for most families. You may feel that it is disrespectful to your loved one to haggle over costs or be influenced by money. The grim truth is that your loved one would probably not want you to go into debt for a funeral. Here are some tips for staying within your budget while maintaining dignity for your loved one. Take Your Time Planning a Funeral Service Although there may be some pressure to make decisions, it’s okay to take a breath and really think about the types of services you really want. There are options that can save money, such as direct burial, which is when the body is buried soon after death. There’s no embalming or visi...

  Learn More about Applicable Guidelines and Directives The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on a slew of measures by public health authorities to keep people safe and prevent the spread of the disease. Various safety protocols and guidelines are issued for each industry, and funeral homes are no exception. Here are some insights into the  new rules for Ottawa funeral homes  during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expedited Death Response Plan : In the early phase of the pandemic, funeral homes had a fixed, accelerated window to collect the body of the deceased. Once contacted, they needed to complete the process within a one-hour period if the collection point is a hospital, and within a 3-hour period for long-term care facilities. Effective June 12, 2020, this process was discontinued. However, if there is an outbreak at the hospital, or a drastic change in the situation, provincial or local public health authorities can issue revised directives and reinstate the expedited death res...

  A Virtual Funeral May be a More Practical Option The COVID-19 pandemic has not only altered the way we live, work, and socialize, but it has also impacted the way we mourn our loved ones. With the guidelines on physical distancing and restrictions on the size of gatherings still in place in most provinces across the country, funeral homes in Ottawa have also had to adapt to the present realities. Here are some aspects of planning a funeral in Ottawa that could be different in the COVID-19 era. Limiting the size of the gatherings : Although traditionally, funerals have involved large gatherings in enclosed spaces, currently this is not a possibility. You may have to control the total number of people that will attend the funeral or spread out invitees over different events or ceremonies. Digital services : If close relatives are not in a position to attend the funeral due to travel restrictions or health concerns, you may want to consider other options, such as virtual funeral ser...

  A Practical and Safe Way of Mourning in the COVID-19 Era The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, and every Canadian province and territory continues to remain in at least a partial state of emergency. From travel and movement, to the size of gatherings, numerous restrictions are still in place to maintain physical distancing and contain the spread of the deadly disease. The loss of a loved one during these difficult times is even more devastating, especially as friends and family may not be able to pay their last respects in person. However, First Memorial Funeral Services can help you make comprehensive online funeral arrangements from anywhere in the world. If you have access to an internet-connected computer, phone or laptop, you and your near and dear ones can commemorate the deceased through virtual funerals. Our virtual funeral and cremation service in Ottawa aims to make things easy for you and give you some peace of mind in these times of extreme distress. Access our 3-st...

  Your loved one may have specifically requested cremation as one of their final wishes, and now you are taking on the task of planning the process. There are several aspects to consider   when selecting cremation , and many people find themselves surprised at the number of decisions they need to make as a part of the process. Being prepared for the decision-making process can help make the difficult experience of mourning a loved one as stress-free as possible. Our  First Memorial Funeral Services  team offers some advice for this decision. Things to Consider Regarding Cremation Think about the permanent placement of your loved one’s cremated remains, also often referred to as the “final disposition.” This is the final resting place for the remains, and there are a few different options to consider. Although some people choose to keep ashes at their home, or at the home of a relative, this is not necessarily the best choice. Ashes can easily become misplaced over th...

  Secure Your Funds Today to Prevent Financial Stress for Your Loved Ones Funerals in Canada can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the number and nature of the arrangements. At present, you may have to pay approximately  $8,755 for a burial or $6,260 for a cremation . However, these costs will continue to rise year after year. Hence, it is important to pre-plan your funeral expenses and save your loved ones from financial stress when you pass away. Options for Pre-Planning Your Funeral Finances Buy funeral insurance : Purchase a  funeral expense insurance policy  or pay into a whole-life policy: Cover the costs of your end-of-life arrangements : This includes burial or cremation costs, cemetery or funeral home fees, as well as costsfor other aspects, such as the urn, vault, casket, headstone, flowers, and even transportation of the casket. Save your loved ones from future financial hassle : Your family does not have to bear any out-of-pocket expe...