Membership and Benefits
Leaflet: Helping Albertans Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind
This one pager outlines why CMS exists, the value of planning ahead, how to join, how membership works and the benefits you'll receive by becoming a member. A great piece to share with family, friends and neighbours by email to print it and hand it out.
This one pager outlines why CMS exists, the value of planning ahead, how to join, how membership works and the benefits you'll receive by becoming a member. A great piece to share with family, friends and neighbours by email to print it and hand it out.
Mail-In Membership Application Form
This form can be used to invite friends and family to join the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) or to gift a membership. Simply print, complete, and mail the form along with payment to finalize the membership process.
This form can be used to invite friends and family to join the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) or to gift a membership. Simply print, complete, and mail the form along with payment to finalize the membership process.
Member Registry
Our Member Registry securely stores your contact details, funeral preferences, and vital statistics. Learn more in this brief handout.
Our Member Registry securely stores your contact details, funeral preferences, and vital statistics. Learn more in this brief handout.
Member Rights & Responsibilities
The Member Rights & Responsibilities Statement outlines what CMS members can expect in terms of respectful treatment, access to information, and participation, as well as their responsibilities to keep their records current, inform their families, and engage respectfully with the organization.
The Member Rights & Responsibilities Statement outlines what CMS members can expect in terms of respectful treatment, access to information, and participation, as well as their responsibilities to keep their records current, inform their families, and engage respectfully with the organization.
Membership Card
Although the membership card is not required to verify membership in CMS, it serves as a useful reminder to your next of kin, that you are a member and entitled to the services therein. We recommend you place a copy with your final wishes paperwork and give a copy to your next of kin. Please note: we no longer use membership numbers so they are not required on the card.
Although the membership card is not required to verify membership in CMS, it serves as a useful reminder to your next of kin, that you are a member and entitled to the services therein. We recommend you place a copy with your final wishes paperwork and give a copy to your next of kin. Please note: we no longer use membership numbers so they are not required on the card.
The History of the Cooperative Memorial Society
Our history reflects the perseverance and dedication of CMS’s founders, leaders, and members, ensuring its continued relevance and impact for generations to come.
Our history reflects the perseverance and dedication of CMS’s founders, leaders, and members, ensuring its continued relevance and impact for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Answers to common questions received by CMS.
Answers to common questions received by CMS.
Planning and Documentation
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.
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
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.
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.
What to Do When a Member Passes Away
Losing a loved one is a deeply emotional and challenging experience. During this time, you are not alone. The Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) and our trusted funeral partners are here to guide and support you through the next steps. This guide will help you navigate the process and ensure that arrangements are handled smoothly.
Losing a loved one is a deeply emotional and challenging experience. During this time, you are not alone. The Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) and our trusted funeral partners are here to guide and support you through the next steps. This guide will help you navigate the process and ensure that arrangements are handled smoothly.
Essential Planning Resources for Albertans
Planning ahead gives your loved ones peace of mind and ensures your wishes are known. Whether you're exploring Advance Care Planning (ACP), legal documents, or final arrangements, these trusted Alberta-based resources can help.
Planning ahead gives your loved ones peace of mind and ensures your wishes are known. Whether you're exploring Advance Care Planning (ACP), legal documents, or final arrangements, these trusted Alberta-based resources can help.
Body Disposition Options
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Access, Belonging, and Community (ABC) Survey Report
Between January 28 and March 6, 2025, CMS conducted a confidential member survey on Access, Belonging, and Community to gather insights and suggestions from 352 respondents, helping us strengthen how we support and engage with our members. Learn about the results in this report.
Between January 28 and March 6, 2025, CMS conducted a confidential member survey on Access, Belonging, and Community to gather insights and suggestions from 352 respondents, helping us strengthen how we support and engage with our members. Learn about the results in this report.
End-of-Life Education
End-of-Life Planning for CMS Members
CMS members have access to a variety of resources that make end-of-life planning easier. Understanding available support options can help you navigate the complexities of planning with clarity and confidence.
CMS members have access to a variety of resources that make end-of-life planning easier. Understanding available support options can help you navigate the complexities of planning with clarity and confidence.
Talking About Death and Dying
Talking about death and dying can feel uncomfortable, but it’s an inevitable part of life. Embracing this reality can help us live with intention, focusing on what truly matters. Discussing death openly not only reduces fear and uncertainty but also fosters deeper connections and helps us make practical plans for the future. Learn more about how to get started.
Talking about death and dying can feel uncomfortable, but it’s an inevitable part of life. Embracing this reality can help us live with intention, focusing on what truly matters. Discussing death openly not only reduces fear and uncertainty but also fosters deeper connections and helps us make practical plans for the future. Learn more about how to get started.
Funeral Insurance - Do You Need It?
As a Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) member, you’ve already taken a big step toward ensuring your end-of-life wishes are respected while reducing the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones. But you may still be wondering whether funeral insurance is necessary or beneficial alongside your CMS membership. In this article, we break it down.
As a Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) member, you’ve already taken a big step toward ensuring your end-of-life wishes are respected while reducing the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones. But you may still be wondering whether funeral insurance is necessary or beneficial alongside your CMS membership. In this article, we break it down.
Repatriation Insurance Protection for CMS Members
Repatriation insurance covers the costs and logistics of transporting a deceased individual’s remains back to their home city if death occurs more than 100 km away from home. Learn more about how this insurance can benefit you and your family.
Repatriation insurance covers the costs and logistics of transporting a deceased individual’s remains back to their home city if death occurs more than 100 km away from home. Learn more about how this insurance can benefit you and your family.
Handout: Four Critical Life and Death Documents every adult in Alberta Needs
Every adult in Alberta should ensure they have four critical documents in place to protect their interests and loved ones in the event of a serious illness or death. These documents provide clear guidance on your wishes and legal rights, helping to avoid unnecessary stress, confusion, and expense during difficult times.
Every adult in Alberta should ensure they have four critical documents in place to protect their interests and loved ones in the event of a serious illness or death. These documents provide clear guidance on your wishes and legal rights, helping to avoid unnecessary stress, confusion, and expense during difficult times.
YouTube Video Presentation: 4 Critical "Life and Death" Documents You Need in Alberta
Join Terry Geib from the Cooperative Memorial Society as she walks us through the 4 most important documents every adult needs to have. She will take us through what they are, why they are important, preparation tips, and how you can make the process less stressful and more cost-effective.
Join Terry Geib from the Cooperative Memorial Society as she walks us through the 4 most important documents every adult needs to have. She will take us through what they are, why they are important, preparation tips, and how you can make the process less stressful and more cost-effective.
YouTube Video Presentation: End of Life Planning and Care
In this 2021 presentation, you will learn how you can have a peace of mind knowing that you have planned for this part of life’s journey so that it relieves your family or executor of the need to make difficult and potentially expensive decisions at a very stressful time. Cooperative Memorial Society provides simple, dignified alternatives to the elaborate and increasingly costly funeral services promoted by the conventional funeral industry.
In this 2021 presentation, you will learn how you can have a peace of mind knowing that you have planned for this part of life’s journey so that it relieves your family or executor of the need to make difficult and potentially expensive decisions at a very stressful time. Cooperative Memorial Society provides simple, dignified alternatives to the elaborate and increasingly costly funeral services promoted by the conventional funeral industry.
Choosing Your Personal Representative and Documenting Your Values in a Personal Directive
CMS members should create a Personal Directive to ensure their healthcare and personal decisions are made according to their wishes if they become unable to make them. By doing so, members provide their loved ones with clear guidance, reducing stress and uncertainty during difficult times. Learn more in this document.
CMS members should create a Personal Directive to ensure their healthcare and personal decisions are made according to their wishes if they become unable to make them. By doing so, members provide their loved ones with clear guidance, reducing stress and uncertainty during difficult times. Learn more in this document.
Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)
Members should read the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) document to understand how it allows them to appoint a trusted person to manage their financial affairs if they become mentally incapable due to accident or illness. By familiarizing themselves with the EPOA, members can ensure their financial matters are handled according to their wishes and avoid complications or legal processes in the event of incapacity.
Members should read the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) document to understand how it allows them to appoint a trusted person to manage their financial affairs if they become mentally incapable due to accident or illness. By familiarizing themselves with the EPOA, members can ensure their financial matters are handled according to their wishes and avoid complications or legal processes in the event of incapacity.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Learn more: An advance care plan outlines your healthcare wishes and preferences if you become unable to communicate, while a Personal Directive is a legal document that formally appoints someone to make personal and healthcare decisions on your behalf. An advance care plan guides decision-making, while the Personal Directive legally authorizes it.
Learn more: An advance care plan outlines your healthcare wishes and preferences if you become unable to communicate, while a Personal Directive is a legal document that formally appoints someone to make personal and healthcare decisions on your behalf. An advance care plan guides decision-making, while the Personal Directive legally authorizes it.
Storing Your Advance Care Planning Forms
Learn more about storing your advance care planning forms in an accessible and organized location to ensure your healthcare wishes are quickly available to medical professionals and loved ones in an emergency.
Learn more about storing your advance care planning forms in an accessible and organized location to ensure your healthcare wishes are quickly available to medical professionals and loved ones in an emergency.
YouTube Video Presentation: Funeral Planning on a Budget
This 2024 CMS presentation on budget-friendly funeral planning provides practical tips and strategies to help you save money without sacrificing dignity and respect. Discover how to make informed decisions that align with your values and financial needs, ensuring a meaningful farewell on any budget.
This 2024 CMS presentation on budget-friendly funeral planning provides practical tips and strategies to help you save money without sacrificing dignity and respect. Discover how to make informed decisions that align with your values and financial needs, ensuring a meaningful farewell on any budget.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Navigating the Emotional and Practical Aspects of Selling a Home After the Loss of a Loved One
Selling a home after the loss of a loved one is a multifaceted process that combines emotional challenges with practical logistics. While the emotional aspects can make the decision feel insurmountable at times, taking the process step by step and seeking support from trusted individuals and professionals can help. Learn more in this article.
Selling a home after the loss of a loved one is a multifaceted process that combines emotional challenges with practical logistics. While the emotional aspects can make the decision feel insurmountable at times, taking the process step by step and seeking support from trusted individuals and professionals can help. Learn more in this article.
Service Provider Information
Our Funeral Service Partners (Follow the link for details about the funeral home and to see the plans for CMS members) |
Primary Cities and Towns Served |
Click on link to down the document to your device or double click to open on your device. |
Contract Period |
Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie and Area |
January 1, 2023-December 31, 2025 |
||
Edmonton, NW Territories and surrounding communities including Morinville, Cardiff, Legal, Villeneuve, Riviere Qui Barre, Calahoo, Onoway, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Gunn, Alberta Beach, Leduc, Devon, Nisku, Beaumont, Calmar, Sherwood Park, Ardrossan, Fort Saskatchewan, Namao, Ban Accord, Josephburg, St. Albert |
June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2026 |
||
Edmonton, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas |
June 1 2023 - May 31, 2026 |
||
Edmonton |
June 1 2023 - May 31, 2026 |
||
Lethbridge and Area |
January 1, 2023-December 31, 2025 |
||
Medicine Hat and Area |
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026 |
||
Red Deer, Eckville, Blackfalds and Area |
February 16, 2024 - December 31, 2026 |
||
Olds, Sundre, Innisfail, Didsbury and Area |
February 16, 2024 - December 31, 2026 |
News and Updates
Support and Advocacy
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.
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.
YouTube Video Presentation: What are Funeral Co-operatives and Memorial Societies?
This 2024 CMS presentation on memorial societies and funeral co-ops offers valuable insights into affordable, community-focused alternatives for end-of-life planning. Learn how these organizations can help ease the financial and emotional burdens of funeral arrangements, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
This 2024 CMS presentation on memorial societies and funeral co-ops offers valuable insights into affordable, community-focused alternatives for end-of-life planning. Learn how these organizations can help ease the financial and emotional burdens of funeral arrangements, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Memorial Societies & Funeral Co-ops in Canada
This article highlights the vital role of memorial societies, funeral cooperatives, and Funeral Consumer Alliances (FCAs) in Canada and the United States, emphasizing their shared mission of providing dignified, affordable, and transparent end-of-life planning through community support, advocacy, and proactive funeral arrangements. Contains lists of memorials societies and funeral co-ops in Canada.
This article highlights the vital role of memorial societies, funeral cooperatives, and Funeral Consumer Alliances (FCAs) in Canada and the United States, emphasizing their shared mission of providing dignified, affordable, and transparent end-of-life planning through community support, advocacy, and proactive funeral arrangements. Contains lists of memorials societies and funeral co-ops in Canada.
Two Minute Q&A on YouTube: Funeral Co-ops and Societies: Do they do it the same way?
Do you ever wonder what the difference is between funeral co-op and memorial co-op? Here is the quick answer.
Do you ever wonder what the difference is between funeral co-op and memorial co-op? Here is the quick answer.
Governance and Policies
English: Inclusivity and Diversity Policy
Mandarin (Simplified Chinese): 包容性与多样性政策
Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਸਮਾਵੇਸ਼ਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਭਿੰਨਤਾ ਨੀਤੀ
Tagalog: Patakaran sa Inklusibidad at Dibersidad
French: Politique d’Inclusion et de Diversité
Cantonese (Traditional Chinese): 共融與多元政策
Ukrainian: Політика Інклюзивності та Різноманіття
Mandarin (Simplified Chinese): 包容性与多样性政策
Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਸਮਾਵੇਸ਼ਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਭਿੰਨਤਾ ਨੀਤੀ
Tagalog: Patakaran sa Inklusibidad at Dibersidad
French: Politique d’Inclusion et de Diversité
Cantonese (Traditional Chinese): 共融與多元政策
Ukrainian: Політика Інклюзивності та Різноманіття
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and the steps we take to safeguard your privacy. It also outlines your rights regarding your personal information and how you can manage your preferences.
This privacy policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and the steps we take to safeguard your privacy. It also outlines your rights regarding your personal information and how you can manage your preferences.
Bylaws
These are the governing rules and regulations that outline how CMS operates, including its structure, decision-making processes, and member responsibilities.
These are the governing rules and regulations that outline how CMS operates, including its structure, decision-making processes, and member responsibilities.
Annual General Meeting Draft Minutes for February 22, 2025
Vision, Mission, Values and Guiding Principles
This one-pager outlines CMS’s vision, mission, core values, and guiding principles to clearly communicate what we stand for and how we serve our members and community.
This one-pager outlines CMS’s vision, mission, core values, and guiding principles to clearly communicate what we stand for and how we serve our members and community.
Strategic Plan
The CMS Strategic Plan 2024-2027 focuses on enhancing member services, community engagement, and financial sustainability while upholding cooperative values of access, belonging, and community. Key priorities include improving digital accessibility, expanding outreach, strengthening governance, and advocating for fair, transparent funeral options to ensure all members receive dignified and affordable end-of-life planning.
The CMS Strategic Plan 2024-2027 focuses on enhancing member services, community engagement, and financial sustainability while upholding cooperative values of access, belonging, and community. Key priorities include improving digital accessibility, expanding outreach, strengthening governance, and advocating for fair, transparent funeral options to ensure all members receive dignified and affordable end-of-life planning.
Volunteer and Community Involvement
Stories from CMS Volunteers_ Making a Difference, One Story at a Time
This article highlights the inspiring stories of Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) volunteers who make a meaningful difference through their dedication to presentations, community outreach, video production, and organizational support. Their passion and commitment help ensure end-of-life planning is accessible and affordable for all Albertans.
This article highlights the inspiring stories of Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) volunteers who make a meaningful difference through their dedication to presentations, community outreach, video production, and organizational support. Their passion and commitment help ensure end-of-life planning is accessible and affordable for all Albertans.
Volunteer with the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS)_ Make a Difference in Your Community
Discover meaningful volunteer opportunities with the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) and make a lasting impact in your community. From event support to videography and digital engagement, your skills can help make end-of-life planning accessible and affordable for all Albertans.
Discover meaningful volunteer opportunities with the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) and make a lasting impact in your community. From event support to videography and digital engagement, your skills can help make end-of-life planning accessible and affordable for all Albertans.
