Let's Talk about Cremation Services

[calgarywinning]

Can someone help me out with a direct and effective company that does this?

I tried Macinnis holloway and it added up to $4500 without service.

We need pickup at the care facility, the cremation and a decent urn that doesn't look like something out of a movie. The last point maybe not achievable.

Thanks for any advice

[sketchyt]

I would like to know too, but don't have much to add except after dealing with funeral homes I always want to take a bath in bleach to get the snake oil off.

The only thing I can offer is that those rates are negotiable. If they're going to upsell you using guilt, you're well within reason to chop off 10-20% on any of their services.

Edit:

Urns are cheaper ordering through Amazon, Costco or going to the City of Calgary directly.

Also found this.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

Can someone help me out with a direct and effective company that does this?

I tried Macinnis holloway and it added up to $4500 without service.

We need pickup at the care facility, the cremation and a decent urn that doesn't look like something out of a movie. The last point maybe not achievable.

Thanks for any advice

I remember there were some compulsory fees that can't be avoided - government fees and there has to be a box for the body until cremation happens. Someone from the family has to identify the body first.

https://afsrb.ab.ca/site/about/legislation

Urns come in a wide variety of styles and costs.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

Can someone help me out with a direct and effective company that does this?

I tried Macinnis holloway and it added up to $4500 without service.

We need pickup at the care facility, the cremation and a decent urn that doesn't look like something out of a movie. The last point maybe not achievable.

Thanks for any advice

When my uncle died a couple of months ago, we had everything done by Serenity.
All in, it cost us about $2700 including tax. without service. however we didn't get a fancy urn. just the basic metal box.

[calgarygeologist]

You can definitely buy an urn online or through Costco for cheaper than the funeral home. I didn't shop around when I had to take care of things but from what I know after the fact it seems like MacInnis is one of the most fair funeral options.

[RichieRich]

I'm not making light of the situation however it would never have occurred to me to shop at Costco for an urn. But nonetheless they have options including a 2-pack.
https://www.costco.ca/CatalogSearch?...ll&keyword=urn

[photon]

My aunt's funeral was the first I've ever been to where the person was cremated. She didn't really have an urn, more a cool looking box, but she was placed in a cool stone thing that had lots of spots for people, rather than taking the urn home.

Are urns for taking home mostly?

[justkidding]

Country Hills crematorium. Straight forward cremation cost about 1500 bucks.

[Wormius]

Not in Calgary, but the amount was exactly for the amount of the Canada Death Benefit - $2500. Included transporting body, cremation, death certificates.

[Kiran403]

Does anybody if know if U of C med school does the "Donate your body for science and we'll cremate for you after we're done" option. My dad passed a few years ago in Saskatoon and he had his death request to donate his body to University of Saskatchewan med school. They took care of the cremation for free so my mom wouldn't have worry about costs or organizing anything.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Kiran403

Does anybody if know if U of C med school does the "Donate your body for science and we'll cremate for you after we're done" option. My dad passed a few years ago in Saskatoon and he had his death request to donate his body to University of Saskatchewan med school. They took care of the cremation for free so my mom wouldn't have worry about costs or organizing anything.

I've heard it depends on the circumstances of the death because they get too many requests for this and don't have a use for all the bodies.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Kiran403

Does anybody if know if U of C med school does the "Donate your body for science and we'll cremate for you after we're done" option. My dad passed a few years ago in Saskatoon and he had his death request to donate his body to University of Saskatchewan med school. They took care of the cremation for free so my mom wouldn't have worry about costs or organizing anything.

https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/body-donation-program

What I've been told - it could be 6 months to 6 years before you are cremated. It depends what they need your body for.

How long can one expect to be in the Program?

The average length of stay in our Program is six years, but varies greatly. We advise donors and families to be comfortable with the six year time period.

[calgarywinning]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

We ended up using the below company and there were very little upsell or hidden costs. Just the basic services and things you have to choose when you don't want to choose anything.

Respectful and kind.

https://www.evanjstrong.com