Cremation

A Guide to Planning Your Final Arrangements

This is the Service Plan for:
This Is the Service Plan for:
Funeral Arrangements
I
would appreciate if my family, friends, and legal council would please consider my following requests for my funeral:
Donation for Medical Education or Transplant:
- I am an organ donator, use any part of my body or as indicated below.
- I do NOT wish to donate my body, or any part of it, for medical education or transplant
- I wish to donate my entire body for medical education or scientific research
- No service to follow
- Service to follow
Anatomical Gifts Program

People may wish to bequeath their body for anatomical studies, thereby making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the medical sciences.

Anatomical gifts are used for teaching courses in human anatomy to medical, dental and allied health professional students. The course helps to familiarize students with anatomical relationships in the body that are essential for understanding the progression and treatment of human diseases.

Anatomical donations are regarded by the medical community as precious gifts to medical education. Donors and their families can be assured their contribution is greatly appreciated by both students and faculty. All anatomical donations are treated with utmost respect.

For more information on this important program, please contact our Anatomical Gifts Program Manager, Jason Papirny at (780) 492-2203 or email jpapirny@ualberta.ca or complete and return the anatomical gifts donor registration form.

Should my donation for medical education or transplant not be accepted, the following instructions are my alternate plan:
Service Plan for:
Organs:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Bowel
- Liver
Tissue:
- Corneas
- Heart Valves
- Solid bone and joints
- Skin
Options and Considerations When You Have Chosen Cremation

People choose cremation for a variety of reasons. Some do so based on environmental considerations, while others have philosophical or religious reasons. Still others choose cremation because they feel it is less complicated than ground burial or mausoleum entombment. Whatever the reason, it is important to know that like burial, there are a variety of options available with cremation.


Planning the Service

Many people believe that choosing cremations means limiting funeral service choices. That is not so. Like burial, most families hold personal services, which help the bereaved cope with the loss of a loved one.

Saying Goodbye to Your Loved One -- Visitation

As with a burial, many families choose to have their loved one present during a ceremony prior to cremation. Many find the viewing to be helpful- providing a positive and peaceful image of the person to add to their memories. It also allows family and friends to gather and provide comfort to one another. Visitations can be public – open to all who wish to attend, or private – open to the family members and close friends at the immediate family’s request. Regardless of the family’s choice, this tradition gives family members and friends the opportunity to say their final goodbyes prior to cremations and disposition of remains.

The Ceremony

One of the greatest misconceptions about cremation is that no funeral services are held when cremation is chosen. Just as with burial, a service is an important step in helping bereaved persons move through their grief, and in offering family and friends the opportunity to honour a loved one.

Service Options

A service can be religious or secular, with or without the body present. Though they’re often held in a funeral home, memorial services can also take place in other meaningful areas. More than one memorial service may be held, particularly if friends and relatives located in different parts of the country are unable to travel to one location.

Plan Your Own

Personalization is a valuable element of today’s funerals. A ceremony can be individualized with musical selections, readings, and displays to reflect the person’s life, occupation and interests. It may reflect one’s religious beliefs as a re-affirmation of faith in a greater life beyond this world. It may center on an ethnic background, social affiliation, occupation or hobbies of the deceased. Inviting friends and family to stand and say a few informal comments about the deceased can be very helpful to survivors. Family members are encouraged to express any ideas that will create a more meaningful and personalized service.

Other Service Choices

Grave site services offer family and friends the opportunity to give final parting words and thoughts prior to final disposition of their loved one. While some families prefer the simplicity of having a service held only at the grave site, others prefer services in a church or funeral home and at the grave.

Choosing a Container

As you can see below, cremation caskets and containers are available in a wide variety of styles and prices. But before making any decisions, you will want to consider the type of service that is planned. For example, when a traditional ceremony has been scheduled, many families prefer the design and use of a rental casket. However, if a memorial service (without the body present) is planned, you may choose a hardboard container, there are several rental options available.

Traditional wood caskets are often selected by those individuals who cherish the warmth and beauty of natural materials and are typically selected when viewing and/or service has been scheduled. Traditional caskets are available in a wide range of prices and offer the design and ornamentation typically associated with a funeral service.

Cremation Caskets

Cremation wood caskets are constructed specifically for cremation. Their design is simple without the handles or ornamentation of traditional wood caskets. As a result, they are typically less expensive, yet crafted with the same quality and care and appropriate when services have been scheduled. These containers are not suitable for a church service, as they do not have handles.

Hardboard Caskets

Hardboard caskets are the first caskets made specifically for cremation with the look of wood, yet are lighter in weight and fully combustible. Made from a mixture of composite and solid wood, these containers are less expensive than wood caskets.

Fibreboard Containers

Fibreboard containers meet the special needs of families on a budget. These lightweight, heavy-duty containers are constructed from fibreboard and will support weight without worry.

Choosing an Urn

Deciding what will be done with cremated remains may help you in selecting an urn. An urn can serve as an important focal point at a funeral or memorial service. Afterward, it can be buried in a family plot at a cemetery, placed in a niche at a mausoleum or kept in the home. There are urn styles that are especially appropriate when scattering is chosen. When you choose an urn, you are creating a permanent memorial, one that reflects your loved one’s character and your personal taste. That’s why you are encouraged to take your time to learn about the different materials and design presented below.

Cast Bronze

Cast bronze urns are made of solid bronze, offering strength, durability and beauty. Some have a traditional vase shape while others are crafted works of art featuring contemporary designs – all of which are especially appropriate for display in the home.

Sheet Bronze

Constructed of solid bronze sheets, these runs are available in cube or chest shapes. Most feature a beautiful finish that can be enhanced by personalizing with engraved names and dates or other ornamentation.

Wood Urns

Wood urns are crafted from a wide range of species. Each features hand finishing with top quality stains and lacquers. Like the sheet bronze urn, wood urns can also be personalized

Marble Urns

Marble urns are crafted from natural marble and offer durability and strength of stone. Fashioned from solid blocks, unique veining patterns make them distinctive. They are available in several types of marble, in a variety of designs.

Funeral homes offer many eco-friendly options.

Memorialization

A permanent memorial – whether a cemetery marker, planting a tree, or a decorative urn – can hold important emotional value. A permanent memorial establishes place where current and future generations can go to remember a departed loved one.

Markers and Monuments

When cremated remains are buried in a family plot or in a special section of the cemetery, markers may be purchased to designate the burial place.
Personalization

You remember something unique about every person you love. A personalized urn helps that memory endure. Whether it is a place in an urn niche, buried or kept at home, an urn personalized with a special engraving or design makes the commemoration even more meaningful and comforting. It will always be a fitting tribute to the character and qualities that made someone you love unique.

Click here to see more ideas

Personalize the Service

A ceremony can be individualized with musical selections, readings and displays to reflect the person’s life, occupation and interests. It may reflect one’s religious beliefs as a re-affirmation of faith in a greater life beyond this world. It may center on an ethnic background or social affiliation, occupation or hobbies of the deceased. Inviting friends and family to stand and say a few informal words about the life of the deceased can be very helpful to survivors. Family members are encouraged to express any ideas that will create a more meaningful and personalized service.

Urns

Whether you select a bronze, marble or hardwood urn, most urns can be personalized with special designs or text.
- Engravings – urns can be engraved with names and dates, favorite quotations, even photos and artwork. You can choose from a wide variety of themes or supply your own.
- Appliqués – attractive appliqués can reflect a loved one`s personality or interests. Many themes and designs are available. Appliqués can also be combined with engraving.
- Medallions – solid brass service medallions commemorate time spent in various branches of the armed services. Medallions can be used alone or combined with engraving.
Disposition of Remains

There are a variety of choices for the final disposition of cremated remains. Urns or other containers may be placed in a niche at a columbarium, a structure designed to contain cremated remains. Families may elect to bury the urn in a family plot or cemetery, or the urn may be kept in another place of personal significance, such as the home. Subject to some restrictions, cremated remains can be scattered by air, over the ground or water. Your funeral director is knowledgeable about allowable practices in your community. Some cemeteries offer areas for scattering and may provide a space where families can place a commemorative plaque or other material.

Burial

Usually cremated remains are placed in some type of permanent receptacle or memorial urn before being committed to a final resting place. The urn can be buried in a family plot or urn garden, with a marker or headstone.

Columbarium

Some families choose to place cremated remains in a columbarium as the final resting place. A columbarium is an arrangement of niches that may be an entire building, a complete room, a series of special indoor alcoves, a bank along a corridor, or a part of an outdoor garden setting. Columbaria’s are often constructed of permanent materials such as bronze, marble, brick, stone or concrete.

Home

As a permanent memorial to the deceased, many families choose to place the cremated remains of their loved one in the home. Many urns are fashioned as statuary works or for display there.

Scattering

Whether it’s near famous landmarks, well-known bodies of water or pristine natural settings, the scattering of cremated remains is a popular disposition method. Whether you choose total scattering (dispensing all of the cremated remains), or ceremonial scattering (sprinkling just a small portion), you may want to consider some form of memorialization. Most people find consolation knowing there is a specific place to visit when they wish to remember and feel close to the person they have lost, regardless of whether the deceased person’s remains are actually located at that place. Because many communities prohibit scattering, talk to your funeral director regarding any local ordinances.
Service Plan for:
My preferred funeral directors/funeral home:
My funeral service should be held at:
I want the service to be conducted by:
Phone Number:
My preferred funeral service is checked below:
- Traditional service
- Graveside
- No Service
- Memorial
- Celebration of life
Traditional service
- Church
- Funeral Home
I would like the following persons to be pallbearers:
Alternate pallbearers, should any of the above persons be unable to perform this duty:
In addition to the service checked above I would like:
- A viewing prior to my service
- A visitation prior to my service
- A reception or gathering after my service
- A wake prior to my service
- Observe my religions mourning events
I want the service to include the following:
- Flowers - preference
- Music - preference
- Readings - preference
- Prayers - preference
- Eulogy to be given by
- Observe my religions mourning events
- Memory Photograph
- Video Presentation
Disposition of remains:
- Kept at home
- Kept at home until
- Burial at
- Partial Scattering with Burial
- Scattered at
- Placed in a niche in a columbarium at
Kept at home until and then
Burial at
Partial Scattering with Burial
Scattered at
Placed in a niche in a columbarium at
I want my body:
- To be embalmed
- To be cosmetically restored
- Not to be embalmed or cosmetically restored
- Not to be exposed to any public or private viewing
My preference where prayers should be held:
- At the funeral home
- At the church
The prayers and service are to be:
- Open to anyone who wishes to attend
- Private, attended only by immediate family
Memorial lunch after prayers:
- Yes
- No
Alcoholic Beverages
- Yes
- No
I would like my casket to be:
- Wood
- Cloth
- Ceremonial
I prefer that my casket be:
- Open
- Open only for my family
- Open for public viewing
- Closed
I prefer my hair and makeup to be done:
- By the funeral home
- By these people:
Hair – Name and Phone Number
Cosmetics – Name and Phone Number
My special requests are (such as possessions to be buried with me):
I would like to be dressed in the following clothes:
And with the following jewelry:
My religious belief expressed for my funeral service should be:
My favourite music, poem, and scripture are:
I would like the following mentioned at my funeral service:
Meaningful moments in my life:
My hobbies and things that I enjoy:
Newspaper Obituary Notice
I have prepared my own obituary. It can be found in
I would prefer my obituary to be placed:
- Before my funeral service
- After my funeral service
- No notice to be printed
I prefer:
- That flowers be accepted
- That flowers be declined
- That mourners be invited to make donations to the following organization(s)
Name
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
Name
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
Name
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
My Personal Information (required for registration):
Name
First Middle Last Maiden
Birthday (MM/DD/YYYY)
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
SIN Number
Phone Number
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
Where I was born:
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
My Spouse:
First Middle Last Maiden
Birthday (MM/DD/YYYY)
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
SIN Number
Phone Number
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
Where my spouse was born:
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
My Mother:
First Middle Last Maiden
Where my mother was born:
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
My Father:
First Middle Last Maiden
Where my father was born:
Street Address Address Line 2 City Province Postal Code
I suggest the following to be mentioned in the obituary notice:
My children’s names and their spouses and addresses:
My grandchildren’s names and their spouses and addresses:
My brother’s and sister’s names and their spouses and addresses:
Pets, friends, doctors, caregivers:
Relatives and Friends to be Notified (Name - Phone Number):
Notes:
The costs relating to my funeral and burial can be paid from the following:
- A pre-paid plan with
- My estate account
A pre-paid plan with
I have discussed my funeral plan with the people who are most likely to arrange my funeral. These people have a copy of my funeral plan or they know where I keep my plan.

I am signing this Funeral Plan to confirm that this document contains my instructions on how I want my body disposed of. I direct my next of kin and any other person involved in planning my funeral to honour my wishes.
Date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Signature

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