Testimonials
John P.
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"I had no idea of the cost difference until CMS clarified it for me. Without membership, the same cremation plan would have cost thousands more. This is a real benefit, and I’m going to encourage all my friends to think about CMS. Thank you for all your help!"
— Elaine B.
— Elaine B.
Arlene K., Calgary
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"Reaching out to let you know that my Mom Passed Away peacefully with all of us kids by her side a few days ago. The Funeral was on Thursday - and it went off without a hitch. In the end (and bills are still being tallied) - I believe the Co-op saved us about $3000 for what we chose.
Andrew (by email)
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"I can’t thank CMS enough for all the support during such a difficult time. They guided me through every step — from helping my husband transition from home to hospice to arranging his membership with CMS. The process was made so much easier thanks to their kindness and expertise. After my husband passed, I was amazed at how much we saved — our bill at McInnis & Holloway was less than $3,000. I am truly grateful for the care and assistance we received."
Carmen (via phone)
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John P.
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This service meant the world to our family. When my dad passed, everything—from bringing him into care to arranging the cremation—was smoothly handled. Knowing his wishes were honoured was comforting. The cost difference was striking too: my mom's funeral cost $8,000, while Dad’s through CMS was just $2,700. It was a relief to focus on saying goodbye without the stress of complicated arrangements or high costs. Thank you for easing a difficult time.
Arlene K., Calgary
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"When our father passed away, we were overwhelmed with grief and the weight of making final arrangements. We didn’t know where to start. Thankfully, our dad had taken the thoughtful step of becoming a member of the Cooperative Memorial Society. What we experienced during those difficult days was nothing short of a gift. All the essential details, his wishes, and arrangements were already prepared. There was no confusion, no unexpected costs, and no disagreements among family members—only a sense of calm and relief during a painful time. CMS gave us the space to grieve without worrying about logistics. The support and guidance we received were more than practical—they were compassionate. It felt as though we had a caring community by our side, helping us honour our father’s memory in the way he wanted. We’ll forever be grateful for CMS for turning one of the hardest moments in life into a moment of grace and clarity. If you love someone, give them the gift of peace and certainty through CMS. It’s a legacy of love that will never be forgotten." Tracey P. and Brian L.
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"A beacon of hope in the darkest times. This week, a remarkable event unfolded. A young man reached out to CMS in desperation. His wife's only sibling had passed away in her sleep the night before, leaving them with the overwhelming responsibility of planning and paying for the funeral. With three young children under the age of seven and limited financial resources, the situation seemed dire. In a heartwarming twist, the man discovered that a colleague of his wife's sister had purchased a CMS membership, significantly reducing the anticipated funeral costs. Simultaneously, compassionate neighbors learned of the family's plight and rallied together, collecting money, gift cards, and toys to deliver just before Christmas. As I reflected on this story during my drive home, it became clear that a $40 membership and a few acts of kindness could truly make a profound difference, saving a family's Christmas." - Caroline "My wife Sharon and I had the pleasure of meeting with Bill Robertson from McInnis & Holloway this morning. We've struggled to get our affairs in order for some time, feeling an increasing sense of urgency as time passed. However, meeting with Bill alleviated our concerns swiftly. His profound understanding of our situation made addressing these matters incredibly easy. Bill's experience in dealing with these issues was evident, as he preemptively answered many of our questions. Every piece of advice he shared made perfect sense, even covering aspects we hadn't considered. Throughout our meeting, it felt like we were conversing with an old friend rather than a stranger we had just met. Sharon and I will sit down to review what we've learned, but the fear of creating a burden for our family has been dispelled. We sincerely thank you for putting us in this situation, and I cannot adequately express how meaningful it is to have our arrangements finalized. The reduction in stress over this end-of-life matter is immeasurable. We feel confident moving forward, and we are deeply grateful for the guidance provided. - Larry A." "I am Marlee from High River and I have MS. I am not able to get out much so I depend so much on my computer to get things done. I had heard about the Co-operative Memorial Society so I checked it out online. The site was fantastic, so easy to navigate and I purchased a membership. I followed through with your service provider and did all of my pre-planning. Now I can rest assured that I saved money and my executor will not be overwhelmed with decisions. I thank you all so much for your incredibly valuable service." - Marlee C.
"I tell everyone about CMS. When my husband died at the hospice, they asked me what I would like to do. All I did was pull his membership card out of my wallet, and everything was answered." - Lola |
"I have experienced the invaluable support of CMS during both my mother's and, more recently, my best friend's passing. It is truly one of the greatest gifts one can leave their loved ones—clear instructions on their wishes for after their passing. Both families deeply appreciated the foresight of their loved one in engaging with CMS, ensuring everything unfolded exactly as planned, without any surprises. It was a seamless and supportive experience. I highly recommend gifting a CMS membership for Christmas, both for yourself and others. The value of the information alone is worth the membership fee—it not only saves money but offers unparalleled peace of mind! Cheers," - Brian H. "Mom was the one who found out about your organization and persuaded some of her children to buy memberships. Being part of the Memorial Society helped us as we planned her memorial. Thank you for the work you do. Your words of condolence brings us comfort in our journey of grief." - Marita (Nina's daughter) "Both me and my sister are big fans of the memorial society model and happy our mom made that choice when she did. Thank you so much for your help and for doing such good work for people when they need it most." - Wil M. "In 1999, I faced the challenging experience of being the primary caregiver, enduring power of attorney, and executor for my good friend Stuart, who battled cancer. This emotionally taxing journey taught me valuable lessons that I share with you today. Let's start by reviewing some typical funeral costs in the Calgary area. A friend lost his father in early 1999, and even the most straightforward cremation, with no service, cost the family $1900. My mother introduced me to the Cooperative Memorial Society, of which she had been a member for almost a decade. Anticipating Stuart's imminent passing, it was crucial to enroll him as a member quickly, as only the living are eligible to join. Upon contacting the Society, Stuart became a member on the same day. When he passed away a week later, the benefits were immense. Stuart had requested the simplest process - cremation with no service and no urn. The chosen funeral home, McInnis & Holloway, executed all the details flawlessly. On Monday they transported Stuart to the crematorium, completed all necessary legal documents, assisted with the obituary for the newspaper, placed the obituary, and returned the ashes, death certificates, and burial certificate to me by Friday. The total cost was less than $750! Take it from someone who has been through it - becoming a member of this non-profit organization should be your next step. Where else can you spend $20 (now $40) and potentially save over $1000 (now $2500)? I gain no personal benefit from sharing this except the knowledge that my friend's passing has left a legacy of value for us. - Alan Davis. Please note that the financial details mentioned are dated from a previous provider contract, however, the intent of the message still rings true." "I wish to thank you very sincerely for the kind consideration you showed to me, my son and his wife during the recent sad period. I do not think anyone could have been more helpful. Certainly the services performed by the funeral home were just what was requested. Once again I thank you for your very timely help." - Peter J. B, Balzac 
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"This is a note to let you know how pleased my father and my family were over the service provided by McInnis & Holloway for the cremation of my mother Hilda H., who was a member of your Society. The people at McInnis & Holloway took plenty of time to explain everything to us, and provided very good value for the money spent. I would recommend them to anyone. Your Co-operative provides a very valuable alternative for people."
David H., Calgary
David H., Calgary
