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And if Martin had made his funeral pre-arrangements…

Whether we like it or not, every human being will come to the end of his or her life at one time or another, but it is possible to choose how this will happen. This is why Martin (a fictitious name) should have planned his funeral pre-arrangements in order to make things easier for his loved ones and especially for his wife Claire, but also to ensure that his last wishes were respected according to his own preferences.

Last year, Martin was diagnosed with cancer that turned his own life upside down, as well as that of his wife. Concerned about many other aspects of life, they unfortunately did not have time to settle all the details of Martin’s passing.

At the time of Martin’s death, Claire found herself unprepared and really didn’t know where to start. She discovered the services of Crématorium Montréal on the Internet to help her with the rest of the procedures. Not knowing who to turn to, she was really reassured finding someone who could assist her in a humane and caring way in her grieving process.

Crématorium Montréal’s advisors also explained to her the importance of making her own funeral pre-arrangements to give her peace of mind and lessen her loved ones’ responsibilities. Doing so would enable them to avoid the burden of organizing and paying for her funeral. In addition, Claire could draw up a list of wishes that she would like to include in her funeral arrangements and that will reflect her personality: choice of urn or casket, selection of the type of ceremony (religious or civil), the type of buffet, the type of music that will be played in her memory, the type of flowers, whether she would like donations to go to a particular organization, etc. She will also be able to set the budget that will be allocated to the various aspects of her funeral, so as not to leave this task to her grieving loved ones. In the end, Claire realized that pre-arrangements and documents outlining her last wishes are as important as her will and can be opened separately, so it is essential to prepare them in advance.

During a second meeting, the Crématorium Montréal advisors then helped her prepare her own funeral arrangements. Claire felt immense support and great respect from the staff who assisted her—a feeling of trust was immediately established. With the help of an advisor, she also took the opportunity to write her protection mandate (formerly called a “mandate in anticipation of incapacity”). These steps are never fun to take, but they are important for your own peace of mind.

If you are looking for help to assist you in preparing such documents, don’t hesitate to do like Claire and contact a Crématorium Montréal advisor. You can also start by visiting our website under the “Our Services” section and pay for your pre-arrangements by filling out our online form. An advisor will then contact you to discuss the process, finalize the documents and help you with the rest.

The Origins of Halloween: 3,000 Years of Stories and Legends

Halloween, as we know it today, is very different from its origins, which go back more or less 3,000 years. A traditional folk and pagan festival, it was first celebrated on the evening of October 31 by the Celts from the British Isles. Discover the stories and legends surrounding this ancient festival and remember that at Crématorium Montréal, we always organize rituals according to your own customs and traditions.

Samain, considered the ancestor of Halloween

A religious holiday, Samain was celebrated in early autumn by the Celts and Gauls. More than 3,000 years ago, it was observed over a period of 7 days (3 days before and 3 days after Samain), under the authority of the Druids, and represented a kind of New Year’s celebration. Its purpose was to bring the current year to a close and to celebrate the start of the New Year, so that it would begin serenely. At that time, the cycle of the seasons was of great importance because it was closely linked to the earthly cycle of life and death, including the announcement of the end of summer (autumn) as well as the end of the harvest. According to various sources, “the night of Samain was neither part of the year that was ending nor of the year that was beginning. This festival was a closed period outside of time when, according to the beliefs in those days, the unreal mixed with the real.” It was claimed that those who had died during the year would return to visit their loved ones one last time. The Celts dressed up as horrible creatures in order to protect themselves from evil spirits by posing as demons. Today, we consider Halloween to be the legacy of the Samain, with our scary costumes and symbols related to death.

The legend of the jack-o’-lantern

An emblematic symbol of Halloween, the jack-o’-lantern (a lantern made from a pumpkin) is a legend from an old Irish tale. The legend relates that a man named Jack mocked the devil a number of times. So not being able to go to heaven or hell when the time came, he was condemned to wander aimlessly with only a piece of coal in a turnip dug out as a lantern to light his way. According to legend, he reappeared every year on Halloween, which was the day of his death. The famous lantern would then enable the spirits to find their way back. In North America, the local pumpkin replaced the turnip that was used in Europe.

All Hallows’ Eve: the night before All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a Catholic holiday that originates from a commemoration of all the martyrs, was first instituted in Rome in 613 by Pope Boniface IV and celebrated on May 13. Later moved to November 1 and extended to all the saints in the 9th century, a number of historians consider that the date was chosen to Christianize the Samain festival. If we study the history of Halloween, we find that its present name is an alteration of All Hallows’ Eve, which literally means “the eve of all the saints”, i.e. the eve of All Saints’ Day, the solemn holy day of the Catholic church. November 1 therefore continues to be a date associated with the worship of the dead.

In short, although Halloween was introduced to North America by the massive influx of Irish and Scottish immigrants in the mid-19th century, it became popular around the 1920s. In Canada, it would take another decade or so for the door-to-door tradition we know nowadays to actually take hold.

Today, a highly mercenary attitude has developed around the celebration of Halloween and it has become very commercialized. It is still celebrated mainly in Ireland, but also in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. The best known tradition is without a doubt the one where children dress up as ghosts, monsters, witches, vampires, zombies, etc., and go knocking on doors to ask for sweets.

Aeternaweb: Also Available Within Our Cremation Service

This year, many changes and disruptions in our lives are forcing us to reconsider our ways of thinking, working and even living through certain difficult situations. When cremation is chosen following the death of a loved one, we tend to think that with this choice, the process is quicker, that less time will be devoted to preparations and that everything will be more “quickly done, well done”. However, cremation is a very common ritual in our society and, like traditional burial, it can involve a number of preparations and include a personalized ceremony according to the preferences of the deceased or the family. Cremation, like burial, is an important step in the grieving process and can be carried out on a certain scale, depending on the last wishes of the deceased loved one.

Personalizing the ceremony

Just as with more traditional funerals, cremation can include a beautiful personalized ceremony in our cremation room. You can choose to deal with a catering service, decorate the room to the deceased’s taste, set a theme and, of course, select the music that will be played in addition to videos of memories, photo slideshows, singing or musical performances. There are many possibilities to make the farewell ceremony pleasant and in the image of the deceased loved one. Family and friends can then all get together with the deceased in a serene, bright place to say their last good-byes. As the living room is connected to the crematorium, the family can remain present during the cremation and take advantage of this moment to recall their best times spent with their loved one or even funny stories. A wonderful way to accompany the deceased on his or her final journey.

Celebrating life through AeternaWeb

Thanks to the new technology implemented at Aeterna Funeral Complex and Crématorium Montréal, it is now possible to remotely attend the cremation of a loved one. With the Aeternaweb service, also installed in the cremation room, loved ones who are unable to travel or who live overseas can take part in the ceremony through their computer or smartphone, bringing a little more warmth to the loved ones who are on site. The installation of cameras gives Crématorium Montreal the autonomy to offer accessibility to the ceremony, directly on the Aeterna Complex’s website, so that loved ones can watch and listen to the verbal testimonies made by the family. This service is designed to bring people together, whether they are near or far. We believe that this service is a great advantage to help family and friends mourn the loss of a loved one and a beautiful way to preserve a tangible memory of this day.

Crématorium Montréal also relies on this technological solution to better support its bereaved clients. With the precarious situation surrounding COVID-19, this solution is more than welcome in the funeral industry, always looking for new ideas to support our bereaved clients to the best of our abilities.
For more information on how Aeternaweb works or to speak to one of our counsellors in this regard, don’t hesitate to contact us at 514-940-0566.

New at Crématorium Montréal

The year 2020 will have forced a major shift in our lifestyles. With the continual change in trends, techniques and vision, the funeral industry has had to rethink its ways of doing things in the past few years. From traditional burials to cremation, trends are changing, prompting funeral establishments to broaden their field of activity and service offering. Crématorium Montréal is no exception to this desire for a more modern approach and therefore offers new services directly on the web.

Our cremation services

Faced with COVID-19, people have had to stay home. For everyone’s safety and to avoid the need to leave home, Crématorium Montréal has therefore created a form that enables people to make their funeral pre-arrangements online, thereby offering peace of mind to Quebec families. Also seeing the demand for immediate service, a second form was created, enabling the loved ones of a deceased person to purchase a cremation service on the website.

A quick and easy purchase procedure

In order to offer our clients an innovative option, a simple purchase procedure has been put in place. You can make your purchase in only 5 quick and easy steps:

Step 1: Presentation of the basic package
You will find all the options included in our basic cremation package, from body recovery to cremation, including the management of important documents, body preparation, urn, etc.

Step 2: Choosing an urn
As the choice of urn is very personal, you can choose between a basic urn made of cardboard fibers and standard or luxury urns, made of various materials and in different styles. For more information or to find out about all the options available, our consultants can answer your questions at any time.

Step 3: Taking charge of government documents
This step enables you to authorize us to cancel the deceased’s pension within the Régie des rentes du Québec program and to record the death certificate in the register of civil status.

Step 4: Reserving a cemetery site
Whether you choose an individual or family location, the Crématorium Montréal Crematorium provides you with a location in a private cemetery in the Greater Montreal area. Again, you can contact a counsellor to help you make your choice. You can also decide not to choose this option and keep the urn in the location of your choice.

Step 5: Proceeding to payment
Once the purchase of the cremation service is completed and paid for, a receipt will automatically be emailed to you. A counsellor will contact you as soon as possible to complete the documents with your personal information or that of the deceased. The official contract for the cremation service will then be sent to you by mail.

Why should I make my pre-arrangements in advance?

Since it is difficult to predict the future, the purpose of pre-arranging a funeral is to free your loved ones from this task, at a time when they are already dealing with a great emotional burden, and to ensure that your last wishes are respected to the letter. In addition, pre-arrangements also make it possible to establish the budget that will be allocated to the ceremony, thereby freeing your loved ones from an unwanted financial burden.

Why make the purchase online?

Purchases on the web have skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic, forcing institutions to review their way of thinking and doing things. In order to continue offering our services within a 2.0 approach, the online purchasing option has not only made it possible for us to save our clients from the need to leave their homes unnecessarily, but also to offer them peace of mind thanks to a simple, fast and efficient option. With the availability of our team, if a doubt arises when filling out the form, clients can always contact a counsellor ready to help and guide them in their purchase.

At Crématorium Montréal, you can count on our professional and attentive counsellors at all times. A simple and reassuring contact. In case of doubt, you can always benefit from respectful support that you or a deceased loved one so well deserve.

A Last Good-bye Thanks to the Cremation Room

The last good-bye is never easy. It is considered a crucial step in the grieving process, so it is important not to neglect it, even when the deceased has chosen cremation in his or her last wishes. Did you know that cremation can also be carried out surrounded by loved ones? Crématorium Montréal offers a cremation room, adjacent to the cremator, so that you can be present at the cremation. This idea is often upsetting, but at Crématorium Montréal, our clients are very touched by this careful and comforting experience.

A unique space

Crématorium Montréal is the only one of its kind in Quebec. It allows for a private farewell ceremony to be held on site in a high quality environment. Very luminous thanks to its windows and stained glass, the cremation room is a refined, modern space, offering a unique atmosphere of serenity and calm. Families may therefore accompany the deceased until the last moment, if they wish to do so. Each ceremony is adapted to the tribute you would like to make, regardless of your beliefs and customs. It is therefore possible to decorate the room, which is already very elegant, either as you wish or in accordance with the deceased’s last wishes. Our personalized service also makes it possible to comply with the standards of social distancing issued by the public health authorities in the last few months, by placing the chairs at the recommended distance. Everything to accommodate you.

“It is not uncommon to receive beautiful thank-you messages from clients expressing their pleasant experience in the cremation room.” – Lucie Marsolais, Director

A warm and empathetic place

The cremation room also offers an environment conducive to contemplation, where people can “gather” in mourning for their lost loved one. During the cremation, the warmth in the room can be felt, accompanying the deceased, in this way, in his or her final passage on Earth. Our quality service allows you to grieve surrounded by your loved ones (the only ones to do so). For those unable to be physically present, a recording of the ceremony in the cremation room becomes an interesting option, providing them with an opportunity to experience the moment from a distance.

At Crématorium Montréal, we take care of everything. Since cremation is a ritual that is just as important and recognized as burial, everything is therefore in place to offer you the ceremony that corresponds to your wishes. In addition, just like a traditional burial, we have a large selection of relics to choose from and you may reserve a cemetery space for only $450. You may also opt for the columbarium, a cemetery of your choice or simply bring the ashes home.

Cremation, a Rigorous 3-Step Process

When a loved one dies, there are many options available to you, but very often the answers can be found in the deceased’s last wishes or in his or her will. It is then important to respect them. Cremation, first institutionalized in Asia, has been practised in Quebec since the 1901s, when the first crematorium in Canada was established at the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. A ritual that is increasingly popular with new generations, cremation is more accessible and environmentally friendly. Discover this rigorous process that is carried out in 3 steps by the funeral service.

Verification
First of all, the body is recovered and cooled, then placed in a safe place. It is not frozen, but kept cool while awaiting the signing of the documents. Then, the crematorium attendant must verify that the cremated body placed in his care is, in fact, the correct one. This is done by means of a identification tag in the form of a numbered token. The crematorium attendant will follow the body from the beginning to the end of the process. The attendant also checks other documents: the death certificate provided by the doctor as well as the cremation form signed by the person in charge. Lastly, the attendant must any remove any pacemakers to prevent them from exploding if the body is not embalmed.
Preparation
The crematorium attendant then places the remains in a rigid cardboard or wooden container, depending on the weight of the deceased. If the weight of the deceased exceeds 200 lbs, the remains must be placed in a wooden container. To respect the last wishes of the deceased, the casket can also be the cremation container, provided it is made of wood and that the metal ornaments are removed beforehand. It is important to mention that the ashes of the deceased will be mixed with those of the container in the urn.
Cremation
Next, the container is placed on a hydraulic table that will safely transport it to the crematorium. The remains will stay in the cremation chamber for between 90 minutes and 2 hours and the chamber temperature will range from 1000 and 1200 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, 2 hours will be necessary for the ashes and bones to cool down before passing them through a grinder. Lastly, the ashes will be deposited in a plastic bag and will then be placed in an urn that is given to the family. If the family wishes, they may attend the cremation, but they are not obliged to do so.

At Crématorium Montréal, we offer an attentive service, with the utmost respect for your beliefs and rituals. Cremation is an inexpensive option that gives you an opportunity to pay tribute to the loved one you have just lost. You may even attend the cremation directly from your home, via the web, with our Aeternaweb service. We are the only ones offering this unique and innovative service. We are also available 24 hours a day to accompany and support you through this difficult ordeal. Always listening to your needs and expectations, our team is here for you. Contact us toll-free at 1-877-299-1889.

In-Car Condolences: An Innovative Idea for a Last Good-bye

Last Wednesday, April 29, marked a first in the field of funeral rituals. At a time of social distancing, it is impossible to gather in the reception halls and visitation parlours for the funerals of loved ones who have left us. Therefore, a suitable alternative had to be found to allow a dignified last good-bye. It was at the Complexe funéraire Aeterna that the first in-car condolences took place—a unique concept in Quebec imagined by Executive Director Lucie Marsolais.

An innovative concept

It was when she noticed that Quebecers were showing creativity in going to see their loved ones, while separated by window panes, that our Director, Mrs. Marsolais, thought of replicating this idea for the funerals taking place at the Complex. The casket was then positioned in front of a large glassed-in area overlooking the parking lot of the Complex. Floral arrangements as well as a photo of the deceased were installed as well as a backdrop for more privacy. To offer their condolences while remaining in their car, the family’s relatives and friends had the chance to drive past in a procession in front of the glass pane and show their support in this way.

Part of the deceased’s family was therefore inside and most of them outside to welcome the many cars that came there. “Everyone, notified by social networks, was allowed to stop a few seconds in front of the casket surrounded by flowers and a photo of the deceased. Many were crying. A few got out of their vehicles and approached the casket installed behind the window. The expression “rite of passage” has probably never been so justified,” stated Stéphane Baillargeon in his article in Le Devoir.

A great success

The family was very positive about this new opportunity for family and friends to come and bid their farewells. The Complex, which has a U-shaped parking lot, makes this new format possible. On April 29, more than 425 cars paraded in front of the casket; Mrs. Marsolais stopped counting after that number. However, she mentioned that “it was very sad; people were crying in their cars.” Nevertheless, she is very happy to be able to help and support her clients on the difficult road of mourning.

Media coverage

Lucie Marsolais gave several interviews about her innovative concept. In fact, she was featured on Bernard Drainville’s radio show on 98.5 FM. In addition, the concept was presented on TVA Nouvelles as well as in an article in the Journal de Montréal and another article in Le Devoir newspaper, as previously mentioned. The video of the TVA Nouvelles newscast with Pierre Bruno can be found on YouTube. In such situations, we must be innovative. Mrs. Marsolais says that this solution could be adapted over time and that this is only the beginning of the “In-Car Condolences” concept. To add to this, other concepts will also be put in place in the coming weeks to reach more families and friends of the deceased.

The time to call us after the battle of a lifetime…
Crématorium Montréal supporting the CHSLDs

The Crématorium Montréal is more operational than ever to support the CHSLDs. We are the last responders in the essential health care services sector and we are here to make arrangements for the deceased with the greatest consideration and respect.

Our dedication to the Québec community is of the utmost importance and we are here to take over the care of the deceased with the utmost sensitivity at the time of imminent deaths. Since the CHSLDs have a lot to do, our service aims to help them by looking after the entire funeral process, from transferring the body to the follow-up with the bereaved families. Our team is committed and proactive in this great historical emergency, and all in accordance with the strictest and best health practices.

It is by working together that we can protect our community with strength and determination. This has never been a more challenging era for residential and long-term care centres and we want to contribute, with compassion, toward helping and supporting Québec families.

Crématorium Montréal handles everything so that you can continue your daily battle against the disease. In this time of crisis, cremation fortunately requires no travelling for the families of the deceased, and that is what we offer—in 13 languages—to support all communities in the Greater Montréal area.

Our hearts go out to you.

Lucie Marsolais, Executive Director Crématorium Montréal

Cremation service at $1159.99
Contact us for further details on our complete basic service. 514 405-3450

Cremation, a Flexible and Accessible Solution

In this time of global pandemic, it is normal to reflect on our options and even to rethink or make a will. The present situation is prompting us to ask ourselves questions earlier in our life—questions that we maybe never have dared to think about before. Questions such as: Should I choose cremation? What do I want done with my body after I die? It is important to plan for this choice as part of your last wishes and therefore ease the burden on grieving loved ones. In the great world histories, talking about death was essential and was not seen as out of place or horrible, but rather as being inevitable for the sustainability and harmony of a society.

History of cremation

In many ancient cultures, cremation was a well-accepted community solution for the many benefits it has to offer. Cremation is the funeral process of burning and reducing to ashes the body of a deceased human being. Nowadays, with the equipment used, it makes it possible to decently and hygienically reduce the body to ashes. Although cremation is not well regarded by all religions, it is still a solution to a necessity that has always existed: the need to look after the deceased’s body. Once seen as being contrary to the Christian faith, cremation is no longer contradictory to religious practice. Institutionalized in Asia thanks to Buddhism and Hinduism, it is also very popular in the Western world. Practised more and more in our social circles, it is no longer something to be rejected, but rather to be considered as part of one’s personal reflections.

For the past few decades, cremation has been carried out in crematoriums and is cited as an ecological and even hygienic option. Nowadays, cremation is a flexible, accessible and less expensive solution, enabling the body of the deceased to be disposed of in a respectful manner.

Crématorium Montréal

At the Crématorium Montréal, we are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and needs. The services we provide allow for a respectful turnkey service that complies with the highest health standards, to ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones when the time comes. From retrieving the body to placing it in an urn, we take care of everything. As the global crisis is still disrupting the usual funeral rituals, we are committed to providing a service and looking after all matters professionally and without any contact. In addition, take care of your funeral pre-arrangements online now with our quick and easy 5-step form or phone one of our counsellors at 514 940-0566.

What Are the Various Stages of Mourning?

Inevitably, everyone will mourn a loved one in the course of their life. Being confronted with the loss of a loved one, whether a family member or simply someone close to us, is never easy to go through. Grieving is a long journey that each person must face at their own pace in order to regain peace of mind and get on with life. Grieving is experienced differently for each individual and can last from several weeks to a few years, even though the average is about a year. Regardless of how bereaved people grieve, they will have to go through the five main stages of mourning in order to be able to regain a taste for life.

The 5 main stages of mourning

Shock/denial

The first stage is undoubtedly shock and denial. Although death is sometimes foreseeable, a person who receives the news is in a state of shock and often refuses to believe it. This defence mechanism prevents the information from being assimilated and therefore prevents the pain from coming to the surface. This brief phase should not be encouraged by those close to the bereaved. Bereaved people must accept to take the plunge, as it is only the first step in the long grieving process.

Protest/disorganization

When bereaved people become aware of the reality and are confronted with the physical loss of the loved one in their life, this is when emotions are the most intense and turbulent. Bereaved people then face the anger/protest phase where they rebel against what they feel as unfairness. This stage is particularly painful and delicate to go through since it leaves a lot of room for blame and guilt feelings.

Negotiation

The third stage is when bereaved people fight their anger and irrationally try to negotiate the return of their lost loved one with a higher power. Negotiation can also be attempted with oneself in order to find compensation for the emptiness felt. Faced with the reality of the departure of the deceased, the strong emotions become less intense and less frequent, giving way to great sadness. Bereaved people with fragile emotional stability then enter a phase of depression.

Depression

As the pain is at its peak, bereaved people become more and more aware of the loss of their loved one. Their world crumbles and they quietly sink into a long period of the blues, which is called depression. This fourth stage is the most difficult to go through, making the person unable to cope with everyday life, unsociable and lacking in energy. It is the time when the imagination calms down and the emotional fog is lifted. Bereaved people are then immersed in their distress. This period can seem interminable for many individuals, as the emotions felt seem insurmountable.

Acceptance

Acceptance is the final step in the grieving process. It enables bereaved people to break out of their pain and isolation. This is followed by slow recovery, where the bereaved resign themselves to accepting the reality of the situation. Life then slowly gets back to normal and the bereaved recover their energy and all of their faculties. Once the reality is assimilated, bereaved people can move forward and reorganize their life around the loss, without forgetting their loved one, but accepting their loved one’s departure.

Although these 5 stages are essential in order to get through the difficult period of mourning, we must not forget that helping, supporting and listening to bereaved people can make all the difference in their grieving process. Turn to the Crematorium Montréal team to guide you through this sad time and thereby give you more time to grieve and, in this way, help you along the long road to healing.