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Funeral Planning

Cremation Cost in Alberta

Learn about cremation cost in Alberta. Includes itemized fees in cremation or aquamation packages offered by service providers.

Crematoriums in Nova Scotia

Crematoriums in Nova Scotia are located in most communities in the province. Here is how to find them including their location and contact information.

Cremation Cost in Saskatchewan

Cremation cost in Saskatchewan is examined in this post, including each fee you might encounter in a cremation or aquamation package typically offered by service providers.

Cremation Cost in Nova Scotia

Cremation cost in Nova Scotia is examined in this post, including each fee you might encounter in a cremation package typically offered by the province's service providers.

Cremation Cost in Ontario

Learn about cremation costs in Ontario, including each cost related to the components in a cremation package typically offered by the province's service providers.

What are Ash Stones? Turning Cremated Remains into Beautiful Stones

Turn cremation ashes into solidified remains that look like beautiful smooth stones. Learn more about how some people choose these ash stones over keeping cremains in an urn. And how to order them.

Ontario Funeral Financial Assistance Programs

In Ontario, several funeral financial assistance programs are available. Also listed are federal programs available to Ontarians.

Manitoba Funeral Financial Assistance

In Manitoba, several funeral financial assistance programs are available. We also list federal programs available to Manitobans.

Cremation in Manitoba: Questions and Answers

Learn about cremation in Manitoba. What the process is, who handles cremation, who regulates it, cremation cost in the province, and statistics on cremation trends.

Cremation in Ontario: Questions and Answers

Learn about cremation in Ontario. What the process is, who handles cremation, who regulates it, cremation cost in the province, and statistics on cremation trends.

New Brunswick Funeral Financial Assistance

Learn about new Brunswick funeral financial assistance, including provincial government programs, federal programs, and more funding New Brunswickers can apply for.

Cremation in Prince Edward Island: Questions and Answers

Questions answered about cremation in Prince Edward Island including who provides services, cost of cremation, who regulates it, and PEI cremation vs burial rates.

Cremation in New Brunswick: Questions and Answers

Learn about cremation in New Brunswick including cost, how it is conducted, and who provides cremation services in the province.

PEI Funeral Financial Assistance

Learn what PEI funeral financial assistance programs are available to residents of the province. Includes provincial and federal programs.

Alberta Government Funeral Financial Assistance Programs

Learn about Alberta funeral financial assistance, including provincial government programs, federal programs, and other funding Albertans can access.

Cremation in Alberta: Questions and Answers

Learn about cremation in Alberta. Everything you need to know in the province about cremation funerals. We answer the most common questions.

Saskatchewan Funeral Financial Assistance

Learn what Saskatchewan funeral financial assistance programs are available to residents of the province. Includes provincial and federal programs.

Cremation in Saskatchewan: Questions and Answers

Saskatchewan cremation information, including process, cremation cost, and related funeral information is available in this article.

How to Ship a Loved One's Body Home

Learn how to ship a loved one's body back to Canada or back to their province if they have died while away from home.

Cremation in Nova Scotia: Questions and Answers

Nova Scotia cremation information, including process, cremation cost, and related funeral information is available in this article. Plus how to make cremation arrangements.

How to Write an Obituary

Learn how to write an obituary using tips in Eirene's online obituary writing guide. You can also post it to Eirene's memorials site for free.

Nova Scotia Government Funeral Financing Assistance Programs

There are many funeral funding options available to families in Nova Scotia. Here is an extensive resource list of government funeral financing programs and related programs for workers.

What to Wear to a Celebration of Life Event

Wondering what to wear to a celebration of life event? Here is a guide to celebration of life attire for men, women and children.

What Happens to Bones, Pacemakers, Surgical Implants, Metal Joints, Breast Implants, and Tooth Fillings After Death?

Find out what happens to various parts of the human body including organic tissue, bones and artificial implants when a person dies and is buried, cremated or aquamated.

How to Scatter Ashes Into the Atmosphere From a Balloon

U.S. company Mesoloft can launch cremation ashes via balloon to the edge of space and release them into the atmosphere.

10 Funeral Trends That May Surprise You

Here are 10 new funeral trends that are reinventing how families honour their loved ones after death, including themed funerals and new funeral technology.

What is the Capsula Mundi Body Pod or Urn?

Learn about the body burial pod called Capsula Mundi and how it can be used to grow a tree in a "sacred forest".

What is Human Composting?

An emerging funeral option called human composting turns human remains into soil, which can be returned to the environment.

What Does a Green Burial Cost?

Find out what green burial costs. Plus comparisons to the cost of a traditional burial as well as cremation and aquamation.

Can I Have a Green Burial in Canada?

What is a green burial and is it possible to have a so-called "green" funeral in Canada? This article discusses everything you need to know about green burials and how they can be achieved for Canadians seeking them.

How the Mushroom Burial Suit Works and What Does it Cost

Learn how the mushroom burial suit by Coeio works, how much it costs, and where it can be used.

Where in Canada is Aquamation Legal?

Learn which Canadian provinces and territories have legalized aquamation for use as a funeral technology.

Where in the United States is Aquamation Legal or Allowed?

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of where aquamation is legal or allowable in the absence of legislation in the U.S.A.

Aquamation is Being Considered in Hawaii and it's More in Line With Traditional Funeral Practices

Authorities are considering legalizing aquamation in Hawaii and experts say it fits better with traditional native Hawaiian funeral practices

Funeral Costs: Questions and Answers

Ever wonder what a funeral costs in Canada? This series of questions and answers reveals what typical cremation and burial costs are in Canada as well as

What Are the Last Rites?

Learn about the Roman Catholic tradition of the Last Rites, for church followers who are sick, dying, or may face imminent death.

How to Write a Funeral Order of Service

Learn what a funeral order of service is and how to write and produce one for a funeral event.

What is a Reef Ball or Memorial Reef?

Can you be buried in a reef? Several companies now offer memorial reef products that make cremation ashes become permanent aquatic life promoting fixtures at the bottom of the ocean.

How Long Do Funerals Last?

Funerals can be conducted in a matter of days after death or as long as a week. Each funeral event has its own variable duration. We explain how long funeral events and activities last in this article.

Driving in a Funeral Procession and What to Do if You Encounter One

Learn about the etiquette expected if you are participating in or encounter a funeral procession.

The Cremation Process for Flame Cremation and Aquamation: A Guide to Help Demystify the Process

Learn about the cremation process for both flame cremation and aquamation. This article explains what happens when a deceased person is cremated.

What is a Visitation or a Viewing? What is the Etiquette Around These Funeral Events?

Learn what a funeral viewing or visitation is. What happens at these funeral events and what is the etiquette you need to know.

Celebrities Who Chose Cremation

Desmond Tutu is not the only celebrity to choose cremation over burial. Here are eight more famous people that chose to be cremated after their death.

What is a Funeral Repast or Repass?

A repast is any gathering of people after a funeral service. Some people called it a reception. Learn more about what a funeral repast is and what happens at one.

Memorial vs. Funeral: What is the Difference?

When someone dies, you may be invited to attend their funeral or their memorial. Sometimes it is not clear what the difference is when it comes to distinguishing a funeral vs. memorial. In this article, we'll define each end-of-life event and explain the difference.

What is a Wake? What is Wake Etiquette for Guests?

Learn about the funeral ritual of a wake. What is a wake and what is expected of guests that attend this funeral event.

What Colour Should Funeral Flowers Be?

Choosing funeral flowers including the color and type for use at a service or as a gift to the mourning family can be a difficult task. Read our guide to learn how to make the right choice when selecting flowers when someone has died.

What Does a Funeral Cost?

Learn what a funeral costs, what fees are payable for each component, and the variable cost of the different types of funerals, and how they compare.

Funeral Ceremonies, Services, and Memorials

A comparison of funeral events to help you plan a service, gathering, wake or other events that helps mourners grieve and allows closure after a death. Plus funeral etiquette and helpful advice on organizing or attending a funeral event.

What is Interment? Learn About Final Resting Places

Learn what interment is, and what types and options you may encounter when planning a funeral. We define the terms and outline examples in this post.

How Long After Death is a Funeral Held?

How long a funeral is held after death depends on what services are selected before burial or cremation. Learn more in this guide.

What to Wear to a Funeral

Learn what to wear to a funeral. Includes guidance for men and women, cultural and religious practices, and attire based on the type of funeral event.

Funeral Questions and Answers

This extensive post answers all your questions about a funeral and its component parts and includes links to articles about cremation, burial, grief, planning, urns and ashes and more.

How the Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit Can Help Fund a Funeral

Learn how the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) death benefit can help pay for a funeral of an eligible Canadian worker to their survivors.

Understanding Funerals: What to Expect at the End of Life

Most people do not like thinking about funerals and death. However, they are inevitable parts of life, so knowing what to expect during these events long before they happen can be beneficial and bring peace of mind.

What is a Funeral?

Learn what is a funeral for different people and cultures and what rites or services are held to honour the dead and put them to rest.

What is Aquamation? A Sustainable Cremation Alternative Called Alkaline Hydrolysis

For many years, most people in the midst of arranging a funeral have faced a simple choice: cremation or burial? But there is a new, third option available: Aquamation, otherwise known as alkaline hydrolysis

How Ontario Works Funeral Assistance Works

Families in Ontario that need financial assistance to pay for a loved one's funeral can apply to Ontario Works. Here are the details and how to apply.

Cadence Cares: Eirene's Estate Settlement Services Partner

Learn how Cadence Cares provides online estate settlement services. These services are free for anyone who makes arrangements with Eirene Cremations.

Tasks to Do in the 30 Days After Someone Dies

After a person in your family dies, there are numerous tasks to handle in the first month. Here is a 30-day post-mortem checklist with details on what to do.

Memorial Stones and Grave Markers: A Guide to Funeral Markers

Learn about memorial stones and marker stones in this guide to cemetery markers.

A Checklist of What to Do When Someone Dies

When someone dies, the deceased's family is faced with a lot of tasks. Here is a checklist for what to do in the first seven days after a death.

10 Things to Know About Direct Cremation

Learn why direct cremation is a simple funeral option and 10 things you need to know about why people choose it.

How Service Providers Ensure Cremation Ashes are not Mixed

Learn how reputable cremation companies such as Eirene ensure cremated ashes are never mixed or misidentified

The Five Most Environmentally Friendly Funeral Alternatives

These are the top five most environmentally friendly funeral alternatives currently available.

Beautiful Death Rituals and Funeral Traditions

These death rituals and funeral traditions from around the world are beautiful ways to say goodbye to a loved one when they die.  

What Does Next of Kin Mean? What Happens When There isn’t One?

In this post, we define“next of kin“ and explain what happens when a person dies and no one claims their body or is willing to take on their estate.

Death in the City: When City Cemeteries Are Full

In this blog, we discuss what happens when city cemeteries are full and possible solutions.

How to Plan a Celebration of Life

A celebration of life is an event that memorializes a loved one who has died. Here are some ideas, tips, and a guide on how to plan one.  

How to Buy a Casket or Coffin: Costs, Types and Choices

In this buyer’s guide, you’ll learn about caskets and coffins, the various types, and costs, as well as other helpful information.

What is Promession? A Guide to a New Funerary Process

Learn about promession, an emerging sustainable funerary process in which a body is freeze-dried and reduced to powder.

Celebrating Life Every Day: Lessons in Losing People We Love

There are many non-traditional ways to honor your loved ones after a cremation including home funerals or a celebration of life.

Guide to Family-led Deathcare in Ontario

When a loved one dies, their family isn’t required to use a funeral home for funeral services. Here’s how to conduct family-led deathcare in Ontario. 

Is a Viking Funeral Possible in Canada?

A Viking funeral in Canada is possible today, although it would require some concessions and a few modifications to fit Canadian laws. Here's what's possible.

Best Bible Verses for Funerals and Ash-scattering Ceremonies

Here are popular Bible verses for funerals and ash scattering ceremonies you can read to honour a Christian family member.

10 Poems & Passages for Secular Funeral or Memorial

Inspirational secular poems and passages that can be read at a funeral or memorial for a loved one who was not religious. 

What is a Columbarium? How is it Used to Store Ashes?

Learn about what a columbarium is, who invented them, and how people use columbariums to place the ashes of a cremated loved one.

Aquamation: Questions and Answers about Alkaline Hydrolysis as a Funeral Process

Learn about aquamation, a funerary process that is considered more environmentally sustainable than traditional flame cremation. Read our Q&A.

Honoring Your Loved One with a Celebration of Life After a Cremation

As funeral traditions change, many people are choosing a celebration of life instead of a traditional funeral to honor their loved ones.

What the Major Religions Say About Cremation

Here’s what the major religions say about cremation practices. This article includes views on cremation for Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, and Hindu faiths.

Scattering Ashes in Canada

Scattering ashes in Canada has some limitations and rules that vary by province and municipality. Here are the rules and guidelines. 

What Government Funeral Assistance is Available if You Can't Afford End-of-Life Expenses in Canada

Learn about government funeral assistance and other funding types if you can’t afford the expense of a funeral. 

Difference between Medical Certificate of Death and Proof of Death Certificate in Ontario

A medical certificate of death and a proof of death certificate are both vital documents that are used for different purposes after a person’s death. This what you need to know.

Veteran in Canada? How to Access Financial Support for Your Funeral

The Canadian government recognizes the sacrifice that veterans make when they enlist for service. There is a veterans' funeral benefits program in place to ease the burden when service men and women die.

Can I Fly with Cremated Remains?

A traveling passenger can transport cremated remains by air or train in Canada. Here are the rules and guidelines.

What to do with Cremated Ashes to Honour a Loved One

Learn what to do with cremation ashes to honour a loved one. We explore traditions, religious rituals, and alternative practices.

What is a Space Burial? Do Ashes get Sent to Space?

A space burial is a service where cremated remains or DNA is sent to space on a rocket. Read this post to learn how sending ashes into space works.

What To Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

While we certainly can’t take away the pain, we can provide support and resources to help you navigate an already challenging time.

The Cost of Cremation for a Child, Infant, or Stillborn Baby

Learn about the cremation cost for a child, infant or stillborn baby and the associated fees and services available from a funeral services company.

How to Make Eco-friendly Funeral Choices: Aquamation, Green Burials and Biodegradable Caskets

Green funeral options allow for a more "eco-friendly" impact on the planet at the end of life. In this blog, we discuss how cremation, aquamation and green burial are "greener" alternatives to traditional burial when selected as a method of final disposition.

How to Choose the Best Cremation Urn for Your Loved One

Cremation urn options include size, material, and style. Learn how to choose a suitable urn for your loved one with our helpful tips.

Shipping A Loved One’s Body and Cremated Remains from Abroad

What you need to know about shipping cremated remains by mail or via courier in Canada or from an international location back to Canada.

Being Named An Executor: What It Means and Your Role

Being named an executor is both an honour and comes with responsibilities (and possible risks). It’s important to understand what it means and your role.

How to Write a Eulogy

How to write a eulogy for a loved one that memorializes them perfectly and honors their life.

How Families Grieve During the Pandemic: Home Funeral Ceremonies

As found in numerous other traditions worldwide, we can create our own ceremonies that could have an extraordinary meaning to us individually or our family bubble.

Cremation: Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions

In this cremation Q&A article, our experts answer the most commonly asked questions about the cremation process, cost, and related topics.

Probate Goes Digital in Ontario: Everything You Need to Know

How to Choose a Funeral Home or Cremation Service in Canada

This guide explains to choose a funeral home or cremation service in Canada and what questions to ask about services and fees.

How to Clean Out a House After Someone Has Passed

Here are the most important steps when cleaning out the house after someone has passed, from clearing out personal belongings to preparing the premises for sale.

How to Legally Bury Cremated Remains of a Loved One

If you or a loved one have chosen to be cremated as your final wish, you have options. From scattering ashes to burying cremated remains in a cemetery, you have several options, affordable and accessible, for how and where to bury the remains.

How to Claim a Life Insurance Benefit After Death

When your loved one passes, they may have a life insurance policy that lists you as a beneficiary. If so, you’ll need to file a claim to receive the policy’s death benefit. Learn more about death benefits in this great guest blog.

The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Funeral Home

By choosing the right funeral home, with the questions and considerations that we have shared above, you’ll be well poised to ensure that you can take care of anything that comes your way.

How to Navigate Cremation Arrangements When Someone Has Died

The following blog post will make this difficult time easier for you by outlining the necessary funeral arrangements you need to make following a cremation.

Funeral and Memorial Etiquette Tips for Wakes, Viewings and Visitations

Understanding the differences between a wake, a viewing, a visitation, and a memorial service

What if You Can’t Afford to Die? Tips for Funding Funeral Costs

Funerals can be expensive and for many people a burden to afford. Here are ways to keep funeral costs low, including government programs and related funds that can help cover funeral expenses.

10 Creative Things to do With Cremated Remains

Here are 10 interesting ways to memorialize your loved one by turning their ashes into something special.

Scatter, Bury or Keep? What To Do with a Loved One's Ashes

With the choice of cremation comes other considerations, one specifically being: what do you do with a loved one’s ashes? How you and your loved ones answer this question will depend on a number of factors. Read more in our blog!

All You Need to Know About Cremation Caskets: How to Buy a Casket

Choosing a cremation casket is an essential consideration for planning a cremation. When choosing the right cremation casket, you must consider a few things. In this blog post, we go through what you need to know and easy ways to have your end of life wishes fulfilled when choosing cremation.

After a Death: Who to Notify Immediately After Someone Has Died

This guide explains what you need to do straight away after a death, and also helps you determine what needs to be done in the weeks and months after someone's passing.

Memories That Live On: How to Preserve Heritage and Family Memories

In this latest edition of Intimate Conversations on Death, we speak with Andrew and Jeremy of No Story Lost, and learn about the power of storytelling and preserving cherished family memories.

What Happens to Your Body During the Cremation Process? A Step-by-Step Guide

This step-by-step guide explains how cremation works and what happens to a body during the process.

How to Buy a Cremation Urn: Where to Buy Urns for Cremated Ashes?

When purchasing an urn, there is a myriad of things to consider. By having a clear understanding and idea of the final resting place of your loved ones, the material, and the price range, you can help ease the stress that comes with making a decision.

How to Close Accounts and Cancel Services After a Death: Who to Notify and How

Managing the leftover accounts of someone who has passed can seem like an overwhelming task… but truly, it doesn’t have to be. Eirene is here to demystify the ins and outs of what it takes to close out your loved one’s accounts once they have passed.

What is Embalming? And is it Legally Required for a Funeral?

Contrary to common belief, embalming is not legally required in Ontario, or in Canada, for most deaths, but it is a widely accepted practice. Here is the low down on embalming.

Going Green: How to Make Environmentally Friendly Funeral Plans

With the impending climate crisis, we are all looking for ways to make more environmentally-sound choices, and this can extend into our end-of-life planning. Here are ways to take your funeral green.

Dealing with a Funeral Home: A Guide to Funeral Contracts and Consumer Rights

We’re here to help you demystify some of the lesser-known parts of the funeral industry and help you prepare. Give your loved one the end-of-life service that they deserve, with no fears of being talked into something you can’t afford.