Why make prearrangements?

1. I pay less and my money is sheltered from inflation.

The price of the selected services is frozen when the prearranged contract is signed. This means that the services selected will be delivered at the price in force at the time the contract was signed. Ninety percent of the amount paid to the funeral home for a prearranged contract is placed in trust, sheltered from inflation and all eventual increases. Through the interest on the amounts placed in trust, the funeral home is able to freeze the price of goods and services included in a prearranged contract.

Even if there is an increase in the cost of funerals because of increases in the cost of living, the price of funeral services will always remain the same and the family of the deceased will have no additional costs to pay.

A Statistics Canada study shows that from 1960 to 1980, the average cost for funeral services in Canada increased by 300%.

2. I don't want any conflicts!

I want to avoid my loved ones having to make choices that could lead to conflict over the type of services to choose and the amount to spend. "For two out of three estates, there are quarrels," states notary Denise Archambault in an article in the January 2009 issue of Protégez-vous magazine (free translation).

3. I know whom I am dealing with.

I want to be able to compare the services offered by a variety of businesses, their prices, the quality of their facilities and the attitude of their staff. I can negotiate the price directly with the business I choose. When I die, the services agreed upon when the contract was signed will be rendered by the business with which I directly transacted.

4. I have peace of mind.

In conformance with the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures, 90% of the sums paid to the funeral home are placed in trust and annually indexed to the Consumer Price Index until the time of death. Contrary to other financial products, the money is sheltered from inflation and managed by a trust fund that protects my assets.

5. This is a decision I make at my own speed, without pressure.

The Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures prohibits all telephone solicitation. This protects people against any undue pressure and ensures that they can start the process freely and voluntarily, with the time they need to compare the prices and services of different businesses.

6. I can change my mind any time.

I can make changes or simply cancel my contract at any time. In case of cancellation, the amounts deposited in trust, plus the interest equivalent to the cost of living index, are reimbursed in conformity with the law. In addition, all the costs are detailed in the contract, which makes the terms of any changes clear and easy to understand.

7. It is a way for me to express my wishes.

The prearranged funeral services contract is an additional way of ensuring that my wishes are respected. Even though the wishes of the deceased are often expressed in the will, it is often only read after the funeral, too late to help families in making a choice among a variety of options.

8. Terms of payment are flexible.

I can pay my prearrangement by instalments over several months or years, with no administration fees or interest payments. If I experience financial difficulties, the payments can be suspended without penalty and a new payment agreement can be implemented.

9. It is a proven formula.

Prearrangements have existed in Québec since 1967. The Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures, which came into force in 1988 and is supervised by the Office de la protection du consommateur, rigorously controls the sale of prearrangements.

10. I can take care of all the details, right down to the flower arrangements!

The prearrangement contract clearly describes all of the goods and services included. In addition to the choice of casket or urn, the prearrangement contract can include the obituary, flower arrangements, commemorative bookmarks with my choice of a text or a thought that I would like to leave to my loved ones.

With Memoria prearrangements, you benefit from all these advantages, as well as paying the best price available.

Call us at 514-277-7778 or visit memoria.ca