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How to Dress for a Funeral?

When you attend a funeral, the objective is to pay tribute to the deceased and his or her family. To do so, it is of the utmost importance to follow certain rules, in order to avoid arriving in inappropriate clothing. So here are some very simple tips to follow when you select what to wear for a funeral.

Make black a priority
In Western cultures, black is the colour you should choose to wear at religious or civil funerals. Some neutral shades, such as navy or dark grey, may also be acceptable. However, avoid colours that are too bright as well as patterned clothing. Keep in mind that in such a situation, simplicity is a must.

Keep it simple
For women, choose a classic outfit: a plain dress or a combination of a blouse and skirt (or pants). Avoid all embellishments, such as glitter, ruffles or other unnecessary details. Choose a long dress (or skirt) or one that at least comes to the knees. Also, don’t wear clothing that is too snug. As for the neckline, opt for a high neckline: shirt collar, round collar or turtleneck style. Low-cut necklines are obviously to be avoided. During the hot season, your top should ideally have sleeves. If you wear a top with straps, choose rather wide straps or cover your shoulders with a lightweight shawl or a small bolero.

For men, opt for a black suit and a white shirt. A dark suit may also be tolerated, always in shades of navy or grey. You may also decide to wear a turtleneck sweater. If you put on a tie, choose a simple and preferably solid colour one. If the funeral is in the summer, Bermuda shorts may be acceptable, but it is best to wear pants. In this case, choose linen, a lightweight material known for its airiness.

Opt for flat, comfortable shoes
As you may be standing for a long time, wear flat shoes for maximum comfort. Avoid high heels, which may be noisy and uncomfortable in the long run. In addition, if the burial takes place in the cemetery, your heels could sink into the grass, a situation that could prove to be very embarrassing for you. Even if it is summer, don’t wear espadrilles or beach sandals. Also make sure your shoes are clean and well laced.

Avoid overly conspicuous accessories
When it comes to accessories, always keep in mind that you must be discreet. So choose delicate earrings and a subtle pendant. If you wear a skirt or dress, match it with opaque black hosiery. Avoid any bright patterns or colours. Hosiery that is too sexy, such as fishnet hosiery, is not suitable for such an occasion.

Minimal make-up
If you want to wear make-up, opt for neutral shades. A discreet eye shadow and a light lipstick are appropriate. If you want to wear mascara, choose one that is waterproof, to prevent your makeup from running on your cheeks if you shed tears. Better a face covered with tears than a face smudged with unwanted black streaks!

Choose a simple outfit for your children
If your children are attending the funeral, dress them in black or a dark colour. Little boys may wear a shirt (or a solid colour sweater) and pants. For little girls, choose a very simple dress, solid colour if possible, with few details. Also make sure your children wear comfortable shoes. Take note that there is greater flexibility when it comes to children’s clothing; the important thing is to keep it simple.

Find out about the particularities related to the deceased’s customs
Unless otherwise specified, black is recommended for the funerals of Western cultures. However, depending on the different types of religion, certain differences may apply. For example, in Asian countries, white is generally the preferred colour. As for Muslim ceremonies, there are no dress restrictions, but it is better to dress in a classic, neutral suit. At a Jewish funeral, men should ideally wear a skullcap—although not required, it is strongly suggested. As for the traditions of certain African communities, it is customary for people to be dressed in bright colours.

In short, to ensure that you respect the deceased and his or her family, find out about the various clothing-related requirements that may apply, so as to avoid needlessly drawing attention to you, while enabling loved ones to focus on their mourning in simplicity and with the greatest respect for their family traditions.

A Diamond in the Image of the Deceased, for a Unique Souvenir

Forget the urn or headstone to commemorate the deceased and instead choose a diamond made from human ashes. Thanks to Algordanza*, this luxury option makes it possible to display this precious stone as a personalized jewel or to keep it in a case.

Algordanza: a luxury alternative to preserve the ashes of the deceased

In recent years, the distance between people has made travel more difficult and consequently, visits to the cemetery or columbarium are less frequent, thereby dulling the memory of the deceased. Algordanza was established in Switzerland in 2004 on the theme of remembrance and commemoration. The word “algordanza” comes from the fourth language of Switzerland, Rhaeto-Romansh, and means “remembrance”. Algordanza’s mission: to enable people who have lost a loved one to honour them in a distinguished and unique way through the transformation of ashes into a diamond.

At Algordanza, precision, respect and discretion are at the heart of the company’s values. Constantly growing, the company is now represented in more than 30 countries around the world. A symbol of luxury and quality, diamonds made with human ashes all come with an Algordanza certificate, attesting to the authenticity, weight, cut and colour of the precious stone.

How to turn human ashes into a diamond?

It is thanks to a machine heating up to 1400° Celsius that the bodies of the deceased are converted into ashes. The first step is to isolate the carbon, of which the human body is 20% composed. Of this percentage, 1-5% of carbon is heated at high temperature and high pressure, converting it into graphite. This substance will then be inserted into a starter diamond crystal to begin the conversion process, which can take several weeks, depending on the desired size of the stone. Once the process is completed, the starter crystal is removed to preserve the diamond thus created. The result: a bluish synthetic diamond, due to the substance called boron, contained in the human body. All the diamonds produced are hand-cut by an expert, giving them uniqueness and finesse.

If you would like to transform the deceased’s ashes into a diamond, contact us so that we can assist you in your efforts and, in so doing, enable you to obtain a diamond that will be very precious to you!

*In Canada, the Remembrance Diamonds Corporation distributes the Algordanza brand across the country.

Cremation or Incineration: Is it the Same?

For many people, cremation and incineration are two terms that have the same meaning. However, there are some subtleties as to the use of these two words that are important to know if you want to use them properly.

Incineration

Incineration is a technique to destroy detritus by fire, using an incinerator. It is therefore not appropriate to use this word in the funeral field to describe the act of burning a body. In fact, since this word applies more to waste, it may seem disrespectful to talk about incineration when referring to burning a body.

Developed in urban areas in the 1960s, incineration aims to remedy the lack of waste sorting in order to make composting and recycling possible. The word incineration is therefore often misused when it comes to incinerating a body.

Cremation

The term cremation is much more accurate for the action of burning a body to reduce it to ashes. The word cremation originates from the Latin word “cremare” and means to burn, quite simply. In order to reduce the body to ashes, it is placed in a coffin that will then be inserted in an oven heated to a temperature of 800°C. In this way, the body will pass from a solid state to a gaseous state, representing the action of sublimating a body. Once the body is reduced to ashes, these will be reduced to fine particles, which will then be placed in a cremation urn.

The distinction between the two words may indeed be minimal, but knowing the difference will enable you to use both terms properly. For more information about the cremation process, contact one of Crématorium Montréal‘s representatives, so that we can assist you and answer any questions you may have.

How to choose your urn?

For many, choosing an urn can appear somewhat trivial. Yet, since the urn you select is the last point of contact friends and family will have, it is important to give it proper thought, selecting an urn that truly represents who you are. Here are a few avenues that will help you make an enlightened choice reflecting your wishes and your needs.

Choice of materials

At the outset, it is important to note that urns can be produced from a wide range of materials. For an urn that is both modern and chic, you may want to consider marble or ceramic. Bronze, on the other hand, has a brilliance and lustre that lend a prestigious note. For the more ecologically conscious, biodegradable urns are also available. Produced by Urne Bio Canada, this type of urn holds a tree cutting for planting in the ground. As it is biodegradable, the urn decomposes, allowing a tree to grow and giving the deceased a second life. Another environmentally respectful option is also available: a sand urn. Created by Atelier Côtier, this type of urn is biodegradable and exudes a natural, refined quality. Urns also come in different shapes: rounded, square or cylindrical, the possibilities are virtually endless. Based on your budget, we can advise you on your urn’s materials and shape.

Urn’s destination

When making your decision, it is also important to take into account the urn’s ultimate destination. In fact, whether the urn is to be placed in a columbarium or kept at home can have a bearing on the selection of materials and their sturdiness. If the urn is to be placed in a columbarium, a sturdy and aesthetic urn is an interesting option. If you are planning to keep it at home, a more decorative urn will allow you to incorporate it into your décor, as it can constitute a decorative element. You can also opt for a personalized urn. This can be chosen when making prearrangements, in order to reflect the values and personality of the deceased.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for advice on your choice of an urn. We will be pleased to work with you.

The Sand Urn: Where Ecology Meets Finesse

For those who have always loved the sound of the sea, the sand and the calm that the beach brings, Crématorium Montréal, in partnership with Atelier Côtier, provides an option of a sand urn for the ashes of the deceased. Atelier Côtier, a small company located in the Magdalen Islands, creates products inspired by the coastal environment, made out of sand that is recovered from dredging the entrance to the port of Grande-Entrée. Through the Company’s environmental concerns and also through its awareness of the importance of protecting the islands, the sand recovered in this way frees up the entrance to the port where tons of sand is piled up, limiting access to the boats there, as a result.

Opting for a sand urn is therefore both an ecological and an original solution. All crafted with elegance and finesse, the urns created in this way are sustainable and resistant. Each urn is handmade with the greatest care in order to ensure a unique, high-quality product. The urns can also be sealed and even include a reliquary.

Atelier Côtier was founded in 1981. Formerly called Artisans du sable, this small company from the Islands has significantly grown and developed since it was first established. Nicole Grégoire and Albert Cummings initially wanted to be able to create handmade products out of sand, a natural resource of the Magdalen Islands and, in so doing, enable them to interact directly with the visitors to the Islands. In the beginning, the two craftsmen focused solely on producing sand-built lampshades. However, after many experiments and research, they succeeded in developing a substance that solidifies the sand particles, so that they could create a compound halfway between sand and stone. This innovation then led them to develop a whole range of products, such as lamps, candle holders, small sand ornaments and funeral urns.

Very environmentally-minded, Atelier Côtier is a member of the international association 1% for the Planet. In this manner, the Company donates 1% of its profits to the Société de conservation des Îles de la Madeleine, an association that aims to promote the protection of the islands’ natural environments.

At Crématorium Montréal, we are proud to encourage the local economy by offering you local products. The urns made by these craftsmen from the Magdalen Islands will meet the simplicity and sustainability criteria of people concerned about the environment, while having a unique style. Don’t hesitate to contact us for full details on this type of urn.

In Harmony With Nature, Thanks To Our Biodegradable Urns

For a number of years now, the word “environment” has been associated with the various aspects of our lives, and the death care industry is no exception. For many people concerned about respecting the environment and nature, it is of the utmost importance that their deaths reflect their ecological values. That is why the Montreal Crematorium has developed a partnership with Bio Urn Canada, a Canadian company, to offer a range of ecological urns to choose from.

Designed in Quebec since 2010 , the urns provided by Bio Urn Canada are the first to be fully biodegradable. Four types of wood are available to create these urns: blue spruce, common cedar, balsam fir and white pine. Once the type of wood has been selected, clients can choose from a variety of options of tree cuttings. The chosen tree cutting is then placed in the urn, with the ashes of the deceased, and the urn can be planted at the location desired. The tree cutting will consequently feed on the nutrients of the ashes to create a magnificent tree, thereby giving the deceased a second life.

In perfect harmony with nature, the choice of a biodegradable urn is ideal for nature lovers or for those who wish to die while eliminating any trace of toxic material that may be found in the soil. Planting a tree makes it possible to create natural habitats for animals and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while beautifying the landscape.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at the Montreal Crematorium to learn more about the various ecological urn options we offer, because planting a tree is planting life.