Annual General Meeting Draft Minutes for February 22, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Answers to common questions received by CMS.
Answers to common questions received by CMS.
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.
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.
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.
The Power of Cooperatives and CMS
By adhering to these principles, CMS remains a values-driven organization dedicated to serving its members and the broader community. They ensure that our cooperative identity is reflected in every aspect of our work, from governance to member services.
By adhering to these principles, CMS remains a values-driven organization dedicated to serving its members and the broader community. They ensure that our cooperative identity is reflected in every aspect of our work, from governance to member services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What to Do When a CMS 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.
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.
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.
Pre-Recorded Presentations
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
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. |
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.
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.
Annual General Meetings: Recorded
2024 February 22 Annual General Meeting (recorded with slides) 49 minutes
