Cremation FAQ

• What makes Essential Cremations less expensive than tradtional funeral homes?
  We have lower operating costs because we focus our services to the essentials.
   
  Direct Cremation does not require any preparation of the body such as embalming, hair care or makeup. No expensive casket is required as a cardboard or plywood cremation casket may be used. Families may take the cremated remains home in a plastic or decorative urn. Some families will later decide to scatter the cremated remains at a favorite location, bury them in a cemetery plot, or store them in a cremation urn at home, or inside cremation keepsakes or cremation jewelry.
  
  These no-frill differences from a traditional or full service funeral allow us to pass the savings on to the families that we have the honour of serving.


• What is Direct Cremation?
  Direct Cremation is when a body is cremated within days of the death. Sometimes called simple cremation , Direct Cremation does not include the use of a funeral home or its staff to facilitate any viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service at the funeral home or graveside.


• Can we arrange a viewing?
  Absolutely. Essential Cremations is equipped to accommodate a private time of reflection for your immediate family before the cremation takes place. Please call 780-539-2383 and speak to one of our licenced funeral directors for more information.


• When someone passes, who makes the funeral arrangements decisions?
  If the deceased has a will, the executor of the will or the personal representative designated in the will is responsible for these decisions. If there is no will, the Funeral Service Act governs who controls funeral arrangements:
  • The spouse or adult interdependent partner of the deceased if the spouse or adult interdependent partner was living with the deceased at the time of death
  • An adult child of the deceased
  • A parent of the deceased
  • A guardian of the deceased under the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act or, if the deceased is a minor, under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act or the Family Law Act
  • An adult grandchild of the deceased
  • An adult brother or sister of the deceased
  • An adult nephew or niece of the deceased
  • An adult next of kin of the deceased determined on the basis provided by sections 67 and 68 of the Wills and Succession Act
  • The Public Trustee; Section 36.1 AR 226/98 GENERAL REGULATION 28
  • An adult person having some relationship with the deceased not based on blood ties or affinity
  • The Minister of Human Services


• Does Essential Cremations supply the urn?
  Yes, our $2795 cremation service includes a plastic urn. You may choose to upgrade to a decorative or scattering tube urn. You may also purchase additional urns, or cremation keepsakes and/or cremation jewelry if you wish.


• Is government assistance available?
  There is a $2,500 death benefit available through the Canada Pension Plan or financial assistance through Alberta Human Services for those who qualify. Call 780-539-2383 and one of our licenced funeral directors will be happy to help you through this process. See our Cost Assistance and Death Benefits in Alberta and Canada page for information and links to resources.


• What if we want to include a service?
  We recommend Oliver’s Funeral Home for anyone who wishes to have a service for their loved one. Oliver’s has been providing traditional funeral services in the Peace Country since 1915 and specializes in funerals with additional elements.
   
• What is your cremation process?
  We provide a dignified, no-frills cremation alternative that is convenient, simple, and affordable. See our How It Works page for the step by step process involved in cremation with Essential Cremations. If you are interested in the actual cremation processes itself (Preparation of body, cremation and processing of ashes), see our page The Cremation Process Explained