Throughout human history, and around the globe, people have gathered together to acknowledge the death of a member of the community. No matter who the deceased was, a funeral ceremony is the one (and sometimes the only) opportunity for everyone to come together to acknowledge their death, recognize the community's shared loss and share the burden of grief.
The cost of a funeral depends on the specific services and products selected by family. Such as, do you wish for a Cremation or a Burial, is a service held, are we dealing with a cemetery?
We encourage you to view our Cremation & Burial Price List by clicking one of the links on the top header.
We are a family owned funeral service provider. Our family has been in the funeral profession for over 70 years.
When you call us you will speak directly to our owners, George & Mildred McKenzie, or their son Mark or son in law, Geoff.
The deceased is placed in the casket of the families choice. From there, our funeral directors place the cremation casket into the Cremation Retort. Temperatures reach up to 980 degrees Celsius. After about two and a half hours of heat and evaporation the Cremation is complete and now a cooling down period commences. Using a magnet any metal is removed. After the cool down period is finished the cremated remains are broken down into a finer size and put into a temporary cardboard urn or an urn that has been purchased by the family.
Cremains are the finer size bone fragments that are the result of a cremation. More commonly known as ashes.
The cremation process with a cooling period takes roughly four hours to be completely finished.
Our staff and family members,George McKenzie, licensed cremationist since 1990, or Geoff Fahlman, conduct all of the cremations for the family's we serve.
Yes you can. We call this service "Attending the Cremation". This is a small service where the family can be in attendance when the cremation takes place.
You have the option of being present when the casket enters the crematorium and have the option of turning the crematorium on.
If this is not for you, there is the option of attending the cremation but sitting in our lounge outside the crematorium.
We can have the urn ready for pick up the next day, as long as the funeral account has been paid for.
In the province of British Columbia, the deceased must be in a container that enclosed human remains and one that is combustable and rigid.
We have several cremation caskets for families to choose.
By law in British Columbia, a cremation cannot take place until 48 hours after the time of death and once all proper documentation has been completed.
All pacemakers or any other medical equipment must be removed before the Cremation takes place. Embalming is not required unless requested by the family. If there are any certain items you wish to have back or placed in the Cremation Casket with your loved one please ask one of our Funeral Directors.
We supply a temporary cardboard after every cremation is completed. Every family has the option of purchasing Urn from all types of materials and price ranges through us. It is not a requirement to purchase an Urn.
Both cemeteries on the North Shore are operated by their respected districts. Each one has several options for interring urns into their cemetery. From in ground burial or above ground niches.
There are no provincial regulations prohibiting the scattering of ashes but there are regulations in certain districts. It will be advised to talk with your local district and municipality to see what the regulations are in your area.
Scattering may seem to be appealing to many people but do remember that once scattered this action is irreversible.
Yes, but it does depend on the Cemetery where your spouse or loved one is buried and what type of plot the family purchased . You must talk with the cemetery. Many cemetery's have grave sites for multiple urns and family plots.
Yes. Once the cremation is complete and you wish to receive your loved ones cremains you have many options for a resting place for the urn. Such as bringing them home.
Fees differ by cemetery and district. Both cemeteries on the North Shore are owned by their municipalities. Burial plots on the North Shore can usually go from $4000 - $12,000 depending on the cemetery's requirements and if you are a resident.
Embalming is not required by law. Embalming is the practice of preparing the body for a visitation or funeral for family and friends to view. It is a family's choice.
However, in some instances our funeral directors may recommend embalming depending on the nature of death.
This is a very common question we get. Many family's think stereotypically that their loved one needs to be dressed in a suit/formal wear. The decision is up to the family. Many family's choose clothing that represents their loved one best. From Hawaiian shirts, formal suits, to their favourite pair of jeans. The choice is up to the family, we just recommend that it best represents your loved one.
A Hearse is a traditional vehicle that carries the casket to the cemetery. Our Cadillac Hearse is black and can be used for both burial and cremation services.
There are a wide variety of casket to choose from. Including hardwood, metal, cloth covered, and precious metals.
Prices vary on material and construction.
The cemetery will put a temporary identification marker on your loved one's grave, but it is only intended as a placeholder until a permanent headstone or grave marker is set in place. Without one, your loved one's burial site will, when this temporary marker becomes illegible or is somehow removed, appear "unmarked".
Rather than having a service in a church or funeral home chapel, and then adjourning to the cemetery for the burial; some families choose to gather solely at the cemetery. There, they are led through a ceremony prepared by a clergy person or celebrant and witness the in-ground committal of their loved one's casket. If the idea of a graveside service appeals to you, speak with your funeral director about your options.