Licensed Director Available 24/7

(613) 860-2424

Service Options & Choices for Burial or Cremation

Much of the information below is published by the Funeral Services Association of B.C. and is used with permission.

The Traditional Service.

Visitation/viewing is arranged for family and friends before the day of service and/or the day of service. Visitation or viewing of your loved one is a way to acknowledge that death has occurred and give family and friends a personal moment to say good-bye. Visitation or viewing creates closure of a life and is the starting point of walking through the steps of grief.

The service may be held at a funeral home, church or other location, depending on the family's preference and taking into account the number of people expected to attend. The casket is present at the service and then either taken to the cemetery or to the crematorium. If the choice is burial, a funeral procession to the cemetery or mausoleum follows the service. A reception may also take place and be held at the reception facilities at the funeral home, the family home or other location. The Traditional Service is available at all First Memorial Funeral Services® locations.

The Traditional/Memorial Service -

Celebration of Life.

Private visitation/viewing for close friends and family to say good-bye can be arranged before the day of service. Services may be held in the funeral home, church or other location and takes into account the number of people expected to attend. The casket is not present, as burial or cremation may have taken place. If the family has chosen cremation, the urn can either be present at the service or not at the service depending on the family's choice. Memorial boards incorporating family pictures may be displayed along with memorabilia and/or treasured items of the deceased. A reception may follow the service or gathering. Interment of the urn can take place at a designated memorial site at a later date. The Traditional/Memorial Service - Celebration of Life is available at all First Memorial Funeral Services® locations.

The Memorial Service - Celebration of Life.

This can either be a formal religious service or simply a gathering of family and friends. Cremation or burial usually precedes the service or gathering. This service is held in the funeral home, church or other location, depending on the family's preference and taking into account the amount of people expected to attend. If cremation is chosen, the urn can either be present at the service or not at the service, depending on the family's choice. Memorial boards incorporating family pictures may be displayed along with memorabilia and/or treasured items of the deceased. Family and friends socialize, reminisce and enjoy the pictures and memorabilia present and sometimes there is an open microphone to share stories with everyone. A reception may follow the service or gathering. Interment of the urn usually takes place at a later date. The Memorial Service - Celebration of Life is available at all First Memorial Funeral Services® locations.

The Graveside Service.

Family and friends gather at the cemetery or mausoleum for a service. A Priest, Minister, Celebrant or a good friend may be asked to conduct the service. The casket is not lowered into the grave until everyone has left unless it has been prearranged with cemetery personnel. After leaving the cemetery, family and friends may gather for a reception to reminisce and share thoughts and memories. The Graveside Service is available at all First Memorial Funeral Services® locations.

Immediate Disposition - No Service.

For this option, there is no type of service or gathering. Immediate Disposition - No Service includes: the deceased is transferred from the place of death to the funeral home; obtaining and securing documentation for the registration of death; and securing the cremation permit. The deceased is placed in a container of the family's choice and transported to the crematorium. The cremation cannot take place until at least 48 hours after the death has occurred. This option is available at all First Memorial Funeral Services® locations.

Ship Out/Ship In Services.

Should a death of a loved one occur when you are away from home, it is wise to contact the Funeral Director in your community. The Funeral Director will act on your behalf to help coordinate all the details required in order to have the deceased transferred back to their hometown. If you are in another country where there may be language or cultural barriers, it is recommended that if logistically possible, you contact the nearest Canadian Consulate also to assist you, or visit www.embassyworld.com. The Department of Foreign Affairs offers an enquiries service and an excellent brochure called "Bon Voyage, But". Call 1-800-267-8376 for a free copy of this brochure or visit the DFAIT website at www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca.

First Memorial Funeral Services® offers the following professional services: removal and transfer of the deceased to the funeral home, preparation of remains (embalming), securing and filing the registration of death with the Department of Vital Statistics, and obtaining the cremation or burial permits and death certificates.

After Care.

First Memorial Funeral Services® Ottawa is very proud to be able to offer a comprehensive follow-up program for all the families we serve. Our mission is to help the family not just during the funeral process, but also be there with support and other programs as the needs arise.

To contact First Memorial Funeral Services® Ottawa, call us at 613-860-2424.

Planning Form | Grief & Healing | Web Resources