Beyond the Price Tag: How CMS Makes Funeral Planning Affordable and Accessible

Beyond the Price Tag: How CMS Makes Funeral Planning Affordable and Accessible
Date: June 2025

​When people first hear about the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) and our deeply discounted funeral plans with local funeral homes, their first question is often the same: How is this possible? And for good reason—funerals can be costly, emotionally overwhelming, and difficult to plan. So when we say our members save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on professional funeral services, it’s natural to wonder how it works.

Recently, a social worker at Bethany Cochrane, reached out with thoughtful questions after viewing one of our presentations. She asked:

• Do funeral homes really offer no-frills services to regular consumers?
• What happens after someone joins CMS?
• And why would a funeral home agree to offer lower rates at all?

These questions come up often—and the answers reveal a lot about the purpose and value of CMS.

What the Public Doesn't Always See
Most funeral homes do have basic service options available—but they are rarely promoted. The typical consumer may only be shown full-service packages that include optional extras like decorative caskets, extended visitations, or upgraded ceremony spaces. These additions can add significant cost.
CMS bridges the gap. We’ve negotiated simple, essential “no-frills” plans with trusted funeral homes—plans that meet legal and professional standards but leave out upselling and unnecessary extras. These plans are available exclusively to CMS members, ensuring they can access respectful, professional services without financial strain.

What Happens After You Register with CMS?
Joining CMS is more than just a one-time transaction—it’s a step toward informed, empowered planning. Once registered, members receive:

• A welcome package
• Access to our funeral planning registry (online and printable)
• A guide to help communicate your wishes with your family or executor

At the time of death, funeral homes can access this information directly to ensure the member’s plans are followed. We encourage members to:

• Talk with their loved ones about their plans
• Keep a copy of their preferences at home
• Attend an education session or contact us for support

This preparation helps reduce stress for families and prevents confusion when decisions matter most.

What About Pre-Payment?
CMS does not collect or manage prepayments. If you wish to prepay for your arrangements, you would do so directly with the funeral home. We do, however, encourage members to think carefully about whether prepayment is right for them. Preplanning—without prepaying—is often enough to reduce burden on your family while keeping your options flexible.

Why Funeral Homes Partner With CMS
The reduced rates we secure are not just about volume. Our partner funeral homes benefit in several key ways:

• Simplified services reduce staffing needs and overhead
• Predictable volume from CMS’s 33,000+ members helps with planning
• Administrative efficiency saves time
• Referral value from CMS’s reputation and community outreach
• Shared values in helping Albertans access ethical, affordable services

It’s a cooperative model that benefits everyone involved—and keeps our mission alive.

CMS: A Trusted Ally in Your End-of-Life Planning
At its heart, CMS exists to ensure that every Albertan can plan for the end of life with clarity, dignity, and peace of mind—without financial pressure or hidden costs. We’re grateful to professionals like social workers and estate planners who help their clients navigate these important decisions and are always here to support conversations with individuals, families, and care teams.

​Whether you're a prospective member, a care provider, or a family member helping someone plan ahead—know that CMS is here to help.

Have more questions? Want to schedule a presentation for your team? Reach out to us at [email protected].