What is a Memorial Society?
Memorial societies are non-profit organizations that assist individuals and families in planning simple, dignified, and cost-effective funerals. They provide guidance on making informed decisions about end-of-life arrangements, often negotiating with locally-owned funeral homes to secure reduced rates for essential services.
Memorial societies aim to ensure that members receive high standards of care while respecting their final wishes and avoiding unnecessary financial burdens. These societies do not conduct funeral services themselves but offer valuable resources and support for funeral planning.
Memorial societies aim to ensure that members receive high standards of care while respecting their final wishes and avoiding unnecessary financial burdens. These societies do not conduct funeral services themselves but offer valuable resources and support for funeral planning.
What is a Funeral Co-op?
A funeral co-op, or funeral cooperative, is a member-owned organization that provides funeral services at lower costs by pooling resources and negotiating discounts with service providers. Similar to memorial societies, funeral co-ops operate on a non-profit basis and focus on offering dignified, affordable end-of-life arrangements. Members typically pay a one-time fee or annual dues to join the co-op, which grants them access to discounted services and resources for planning funerals. Funeral co-ops emphasize community support and transparency, often involving members in decision-making processes to ensure that services meet their needs and preferences.
The Landscape in Canada
Interestingly, in Canada, memorial societies are more prevalent in the western provinces, while funeral co-ops operate predominantly in the east. Both memorial societies and funeral co-ops encourage proactive planning, offering members the opportunity to anticipate future needs and save considerable money for their families.
Memorial Societies In Canada
British Columbia |
Memorial Society of British Columbia (MSBC) |
949 West 49th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 2T1 https://memorialsocietybc..org [email protected] 604-733-7705 / 1-888-816-5902 |
Alberta |
Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) |
204A, 223-12 Ave SW., Calgary, AB T2R 0G9 www.coopmemorial.org admin@coopmemorial.org 403-248-2044 / 1-800-566-9959 |
Saskatchewan |
Funeral Advisory and Memorial Society of Saskatchewan (FAMSS) |
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Manitoba |
Closed |
Closed |
Ontario Has participating funeral homes and/or transfer services in Ajax, Barrie, Bowmanville, Brampton, Cobourg, Colborne, Cookstown, Kitchener, Newcastle, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Peterborough, and Toronto. Information is also available concerning funeral providers within Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and other parts of Southern Ontario. |
Funeral Advisory and Memorial Society (FAMS) |
Funeral Co-operatives in Canada
Ontario |
Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa Inc. |
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Ontario First Cooperative funeral home in Canada and probably the first in the world being founded in late 1951 and opened for business in 1952. |
The Cooperative Funeral Home of the District of Sudbury |
222 Lasalle Boulevard East, Sudbury, On. P3A 1W5 [email protected] https://www.cooperativefuneralhome.ca 705-566-2100 |
Quebec Includes about 33 funeral cooperatives that operate in Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. These cooperatives have nearly 250,000 members and serve approximately 14,000 families each year. |
The Funeral Cooperatives Network (Fédération des coopératives funéraires du Québec) |
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Prince Edward Island |
Funeral Co-operatives of PEI |
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Nova Scotia |
Sunset Funeral Co-operative Ltd. |
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New Brunswick |
Fundy Funeral Home |
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New Brunswick |
Passage Funeral Co-operative |
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New Brunswick |
Passage Funeral Chapel |
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New Brunswick |
Chartersville Funeral Home |
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Value |
Funeral Consumers Alliances in the United States
In the United States, Funeral Consumer Alliances (FCAs) are nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping individuals and families make informed, cost-effective funeral arrangements. FCAs promote transparency, affordability, and consumer rights in the funeral industry, helping to ease the emotional and financial burdens of funeral planning. Here are key points about FCAs:
- Nonprofit Nature: FCAs focus on serving their members' interests rather than generating profits.
- Consumer Advocacy: They advocate for consumers' rights, providing education, guidance, and ensuring fair pricing.
- Educational Programs: FCAs offer workshops to inform members about their rights, choices, and legal aspects of funeral planning.
- Discounts and Price Information: They survey local funeral homes for price lists and negotiate discounts for members.
- Preplanning Services: FCAs assist with preplanning funerals, helping to honor the deceased's wishes and relieve the burden on families.
- Local Affiliates: FCAs have local chapters tailored to regional needs and regulations.
- Membership Benefits: Members pay a fee for access to resources, educational materials, and sometimes discounted services.