Other Concerns

ORGAN DONATION

When you receive your car license you also receive a form about organ donations. The donation of organs is a very worthwhile and noble cause which can bring relief to someone who is suffering. Signing that form gives officials a strong signal of your personal preference, however, under the current practices of hospitals your next of kin will be asked for permission to donate - they must agree for the donation to take place. Recognizing this fact, you should tell your next of kin your wishes directly. It is literally a matter of life and death. It will have no effect on the ability to view the deceased.

IF DEATH OCCURS AWAY FROM HOME

What if I am traveling or on a holiday when death occurs? What do I do? Call us directly at 1-800-461-0159 and we will look after assisting you no matter where you are. Most people never read their travel insurance but most policies have a provision to have the body sent home at no or little cost in most situations, whether in North America or abroad. Always call home. We will be there to assist you.

FUNERAL VISITATION

This allows family and friends the opportunity to come together for mutual support and a time to pay respect to the deceased. In the Sudbury area, the average length of visitation time is one day. The family may choose to wait a day at the time of death, to allow relatives to travel here or for the Obituary to appear in the paper.

OPEN CASKET?

Having an open casket may not be considered to be a pleasant experience, but it can be a necessary and helpful part of the grieving process. People may feel that by denying this viewing they are simplifying or making less painful the grief process for those they love. Often the opposite is true. Most experts agree that confronting the reality of the death provides a closure and helps the family to heal the hurt of loss.

THE FUNERAL SERVICE

This may take place in a church or the funeral home. The service reflects the beliefs and faith tradition of the deceased and the family. This can be of great comfort to the bereaved. In Sudbury we have many genuine and caring clergy. If you do not actively go to church, the funeral home can provide a clergy at the time or you may choose a humanistic service led by family and/or friends.

BURIAL

The only active cemetery in the city selling new plots is Civic Cemetery on Second Ave. (566-4373). One of our funeral directors would be glad to give you contacts for any of the 20 or so outlying cemeteries so you can inquire as to plot availability and costs.

MAUSOLEUMS

Park Lawn Cemetery and Civic Memorial Cemetery both have mausoleum niches available. Entombment in a mausoleum means an above ground permanent building for ashes to be placed in a marble wall. (675-6732).

CREMATION

Under Ontario law no funeral home can own & operate a crematorium. The only facility in Sudbury is operated by the Park Lawn Cemetery. You must be cremated in a combustible container. Once cremated the ashes can be buried in a cemetery, in a cremation plot or over top of an already existing grave (ashes are only buried 1-2 feet down and do not disturb the original grave). It is legal to scatter or bury ashes on private land (ie; your home or camp) or public land (ie; lake or woods).

CASKETS

A casket is a container utilized for the funeral process. Whether made of cloth, wood, or steel every casket performs the exact same task. It allows for a visitation, a funeral service, and disposition. Whatever your choice, our funeral home guarantees that the service offered is always the same high quality

MONUMENTS - MEMORIAL MARKER

Psychologists tell us it is important to have a place to visit following a funeral. This may be found in the traditional cemetery, or through cremation, in non-traditional places such as a lake or camp. It is natural for many people to wish for a monument to be placed as a lasting memorial. A few suggestions when choosing a monument dealer:

1. Do not be afraid to shop - as with any merchandise,the price can vary.
   
   
2. Deal with a reputable firm; someone who backs up his workmanship and provides a written guarantee.
   
   
3. Ask family and friends who have recently purchased a monument.

AIR TRAVEL/REBATE

Most airlines have a Compassionate Travel Policy and, in the event of death, you may be eligible for a partial rebate on your fare providing certain conditions, as specified by each airline are met.

The deceased must be a member of your immediate family: spouse, children, parents, adopted step-children, step-parents, grandchildren, grandparents, daughter/son/father/mother-in-law, half brother, sister, brother/sister-in-law.