FAQ

Upon the death of a loved one, family members can decide what type of service is best to honour and celebrate them.  In many cases, people will pre-arrange their services in advance to avoid the guess-work. However, if that was not the case, our funeral directors are well versed in helping families arrange any type of service. The service can be held at a place of worship or at the funeral home. The service may depend on your religious denomination.  Private services are by invitation only, where family members and selected close friends attend. Memorial services are usually held without a casket present.  A Funeral service is typically when the decedent is present in a casket.  We can assist with guiding you through the available options and helping you create a personalized service. 

Funerals are to celebrate the life of your loved one. It is completely up to you and your family on how you wish to honour them. Our funeral directors are ready to discuss all options and help you make sure your funeral is tailored to your family’s wishes. You can personalize it with their favourite music, pictures, personal items, type of flowers, or having family or close friends say a special word during the service.

Many grief specialists advocate viewing because it helps in the grief process, in realizing the reality of death. It is also encouraged for children if it is explained, and voluntary. Moreover, many cultures use viewing as a part of their cultural and ethnic traditions.

Notices can be placed on our complimentary Tributes page or in a local newspaper. The obituary lets friends and the community know about the death and when a service, if any, will be held.  Often, messages of condolences are written on our site for the family to read at a later date.

Funeral directors are here to help you in your time of need. They are caregivers, administrators, listeners, advisors and supporters. They make arrangements for the transfer of your loved one, they complete all the necessary paperwork and set into motion your family’s wishes regarding the funeral and final disposition.

They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death and can answer many questions you may have about grief. Funeral directors  recognize when people are having a hard time coping, and may recommend professional help during your difficult time. They can also help link survivors to support groups in the community.

Our Funeral Directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 604-463-8121 for assistance anytime, day or night.  Our transfer team is on standby to care for our families.

When the death occurs in a care home, hospice or family residence (if the decedent is under the care of a palliative doctor or nurse), the transfer needs to take place in a timely manner. 

If you request immediate assistance for a transfer, we will usually arrive within 90 minutes.  If your family wishes to spend a little bit more time to say goodbye, we can schedule a time that is right for you. 

When your loved one passes away in a hospital or if the BC Coroner Service is involved, transfer does not occur until these agencies release your loved one from their care.  We will work with you to guide you through this process. 

At Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel, we can help you if your loved one died outside of BC.  We can assist with receiving your loved one into BC or if necessary, we can help with shipping to another province.

We can also assist with International repatriation.  Contact us to find out more. 

Contact us if you've been informed of a loved ones death that has occurred in another community in the province, in a neighbouring province or out of the country.

We will begin planning the arrangements for the return of your loved one to their community. We can also work with a local funeral director in the place of death to act as their agent and assist in returning your loved one home.

We work with consulates and other administrators as required.

We offer the services of Journey Home, through Trustage Life of Canada.  This is a great option for people who travel often.  Call to learn more. 

The purpose of embalming is to sanitize, preserve and restore.  The act of embalming disinfects the body, slows the break down of the body, and provides a more life-like appearance of the body. It provides family members living at a distance time to travel to attend the service and final disposition. 

Embalming is not a legal requirement in BC, however, we recommend it for cases where there will be a viewing, delayed services, transportation by air or to help with difficult cases.   

It is not mandatory by law, but  it may be necessary due to the time required for the decedent to reach their destination. The law requires embalming if the body is shipped by public carrier or out of British Columbia and cannot reach its destination within 72 hours after death. 

Cremation is another form of disposition.  It is not considered a substitute for a funeral. 

Families who choose cremation will decide where to inter the cremated remains, whether that is in a cemetery niche or ground burial plot.  Some families will opt to scatter the remains in the wilderness or water.

*Scattering remains is permanent and unrecoverable.  Families should take time to consider the location carefully. 

Yes.  Cremation does not have to exclude having a viewing and a funeral. Cremation is simply an option for final disposition of your loved one. In our province there are two options for disposition, cremation or burial.

The type of service and merchandise you request of your funeral director will determine the cost. Funerals can be as elaborate or simple as you wish. 

Funeral service is a labour intensive service, with approximately 80 hours of labour in preparations for a traditional funeral or memorial service.  Our licensed funeral directors are on-call 24 hours per day/365 days per year. They will assist you from the initial call requesting our services to the consultation to coordinate all details for final disposition. This can include the coordination of clergy/celebrants, musicians, booking and confirming the cemetery/crematorium and venue for service, compiling, typing and sending the obituary notice to the newspaper and our website, receiving of flowers and condolence acknowledgements, and general administrative tasks.

Other costs include facilities, equipment, vehicles (viewing room, chapel, reception room, administration offices, funeral vehicles, professional morgue and specialized preparation room), merchandise (casket, urn, stationery, markers etc.)

Our funeral directors take care of all the necessary details for you.

When an indigent veteran dies, Veteran Affairs Canada through the Last Post Fund will look after the funeral service.

In BC, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction might be able to assist when there are no funds.  The Ministry will conduct an interview with the legal next of kin to determine eligibility.  Our funeral directors can help make a referral to these agencies if assistance is requested.

Our funeral directors will be able to make a referral with the necessary information for financial assistance to Veteran Affairs Canada's Last Post Fund or the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.  In some cases, the Public Guardian and Trustee may be involved.  Contact us to find out more.