Funerals can be expensive and confusing, and require making decisions at an extremely difficult time. For families who have recently lost someone, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But, as is often the case, creating a co-operative can make this process better.
Across Canada, people have created both funeral co-ops and memorial societies, which play different roles in supporting loved ones. A funeral co-op is a member-owned business that operates its own funeral home and provides services. A memorial society negotiates fair funeral pricing with trusted providers and offers tools and guidance. One successful example is the Cooperative Memorial Society in Alberta, which has been around since 1966.
“We exist to reduce the emotional and financial stress that people face at end-of-life,” said the co-op’s Executive Director Terry Geib. “We do that through informed planning and access to affordable, dignified funeral options.”
The group was started by people coming together to create the co-op built on transparency, dignity, and affordability.
Read the rest at Co-operatives First
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