Frequently Asked Questions

Questions You Might Have:

We are happy to answer any and all questions which come our way - and we hear some over and over again. Those are the ones we've included in this section of the website. How ever, if you're questions isn't listed please contact us.

What is a Funeral:

A funeral is a time when friends and family gather to celebrate a life and mourn the loss of a loved one. They occur in cultures and societies around the world, and have deep personal and social significance. We know a funeral is the starting point of the recovery process and the first step toward healing.

How Much does a Funeral Cost?:

The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are made up of professional services, charges for transporting the body and presentation of the body, casket costs, cremation costs, vehicle charges, and other disbursements you may wish to include. For a detailed price list please email info@squamishfuneralchapel.com.

How do I Make Funeral Arrangements?:

You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer both service free of charge and without obligation. 

What is a Pre-Arranged Funeral?

A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to the death. You can prearrange your own funeral or you can prearrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral for you.

What Type of Funeral Service Should I Have?

The answer to that question is very personal - how would you like it to be? A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose a large service or a small one. And, if you're deeply religious, you can follow the liturgy of your faith.

Perhaps you want something completely out of the ordinary, and that's possible too. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that truly reflects your needs and desires.

Can I Personalize my Service?

Of course. We believe that each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased - and no two people are the same. We encourage you to let us know exactly how you want you or your loved one to be remembered, and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate the life lived.

Why Should we have a Public Viewing?

Not every tradition encourages a public viewing, but we believe that they serve a purpose. In making a viewing a part of your funeral service, you provide a certain amount of closure to all in attendance. This isn't just our opinion; studies show that viewing the body helps everyone recognize the reality of death which is an important stepping stone in the grieving process.

What should I do if a Death Occurs in the Middle of the Night or on the Weekend?

It's simple, call us. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.

What Should I Do if a Death Occurs while Away for Home?

It's comforting to know that our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred. We'll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home; to helping you arrange the service. All you need to do is call us. We'll take care of the rest.

What Happens if I have a Problem with how a Funeral was Handled?

If we handled the arrangements, then call us. We'll do everything we can to resolve the issue. We take pride in caring for the families who trust us during this difficult time. But, we're well aware that sometimes things can go wrong, and if they do, you need to tell us.

Why do We need an Obituary Notice?

An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service. Obituaries can be placed in newspapers or online.

What is Included in an Obituary?:

A basic obituary includes the deceased's full name, age, date of birth, city and province they were living in when they passed away. it should also include the name of the deceased's significant other, and the date, time and place of the funeral or celebration of life. For full details on how to write an obituary please click here.

What is Embalming?:

Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.

Is Embalming Necessary?:

If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation.

Do I Need a Casket if I Choose Cremation?:

By Provincial laws a deceased individual will need to be placed in a cremation casket. The chose of the casket is up to the family. For a list of cremation caskets we offer please click here.

Can I have a Visitation and a Funeral Service if Cremation is Chosen?

By all means, yes. We encourage families to have a gathering - whether it's a simple visitation, or a more elaborate funeral or memorial service to support the bereaved and begin to mend the social fabric, torn by the loss of a member of the community.

What are my Options with Cremated Remains?:

The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member - usually in an urn, scattered on private property or at a place that was important to the deceased. 

There are also elegant ways to memorialize a loved one using small amounts of the cremated remains, including art glass or taking small amounts of the cremated remains to include in a piece of cremation jewelry. Please click here to review our Cremation Urns & Jewelry.