FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question:
DO I CALL 911 IF A DEATH OCCURS AT HOME?
Answer: NO, not if you are expecting the death or the person has been under the care of a physician. Call the physician and they will come to the home to pronounce the death and complete the Medical Certificate of Death, then call the funeral home to remove the body. The person's body will then be taken to the funeral home until the next of kin has made the funeral arrangements. If you call 911 the police, coroner, and coroner's removal service will become involved and an autopsy may be performed unnecessarily. The deceased may also be taken to a funeral home not of the family's choice.
Question:
Where do I get a copy of the official death certificate?
Answer: In most cases, the funeral director will obtain the death certificate(s) from the Division of Vital Statistics. The attending physician does not provide the death certificate but rather a "Medical Certification of Death". These terms can be used interchangeably and can sometimes cause confusion. The Medical Certification of Death is required in order to apply for a Death Certificate. The funeral director will assist you with obtaining the various forms and making application.
Question:
Do I have to use a funeral home?
Answer: There is no law that states that you must use a funeral home. There are however, so many details that need to be looked after that in most cases a trained professional is the best person to handle the matter. Most people are not equipped to handle the storage or transportation of the deceased from the place of death; construction of container or casket; obtaining the necessary permits; etc.
Question:
Are there any laws about scattering cremated remains?
Answer: No - cremated remains can be scattered on land, sea or by air, however this decision should be carefully considered. Cremated remains should not be scattered on private property without permission. Although the act of scattering may have some romantic appeal it is an irreversible decision and leaves no permanent memorial site.
Question:
Is a casket the same as a coffin?
Answer: The term "casket" is a word used to denote a chest or container intended for treasured items. The word is used in funeral service to imply this and also to imply a container used for the placement and disposition (burial, entombment or cremation) of the dead. The term "coffin" comes originally from the Greek word "Koffinos" meaning "a basket". The word is used in funeral service to imply a six-sided container that is wider at the shoulders or the elbows of the deceased and tapering toward the head as well as the feet. Coffins are not commonly used in North America, however can be made available by special order from your funeral director.
Question:
Who is the person that has the "legal authority" to make funeral arrangements?
Answer: Cemetery & Funeral Services Act - Control of disposition, Section 51 (1) states: The right of a person to control the disposition of the human remains or cremated remains of a deceased vests in and devolves on that person in the following order of priority:
(a) the personal representative named in the will of the deceased;
(b) if living with the deceased at the time of death, the spouse of the deceased or a common law spouse as defined in the Estate Administration Act;
(c) an adult child of the deceased;
(d) a parent of the deceased;
(e) an adult brother or sister of the deceased;
(f) an adult nephew or niece of the deceased;
(g) an adult next of kin of the deceased determined on the basis provided by sections 89 and 90 of the Estate Administration Act;
(h) the minister under the BC Benefits (Income Assistance) Act or the official administrator under the Estate Administration Act
(i) an adult person having some relationship with the deceased no based on blood ties or affinity.
(2) If, under subsection (1) (c) to (g), the right to control the disposition of human remains passes to persons of equal rank, in the absence of agreement between or among them, the order of priority begins with the eldest person in that rank and descends in order of age.
(3) If the person who, under this section, has the right to control the disposition of human remains is not available or is unwilling to give instructions, that right passes to the next available qualified person.
A funeral provider, cemetery or crematorium, will not provide burial or cremation arrangements unless they has received written authorization from the person who under the above section has the right to control the disposition of the human remains. It is therefore imperative that you state in your Will the name of the person who shall have the control over the final disposition. Do not forget to give a copy of your Will to the person you are entrusting with the final arrangements.
Question:
What is an autopsy and is it always required?
Answer: An autopsy (or post mortem examination) is the medical examination of the body after death has occurred. The autopsy can be ordered by the Coroner if required to investigate the death to determine: the cause of death; the manner of death; to continue the clinical study of the case; investigate problems of physical, chemical, bacteriological, pathological and anatomical conditions. The Coroner has the authority to order an autopsy without the consent of the next of kin. There are times when the attending physician or the family members themselves may request an autopsy, however, an autopsy is not necessarily required.
Question:
What does the average funeral cost?
Answer: Like other professional services (legal, dental, medical) the costs depend on the services, merchandise and final disposition method that the family chooses. Each service planned is as unique as the family that makes the arrangements. There are many variables and options that the family can choose from. Only when all options are presented, can a cost be determined. By provincial law, all funeral providers must supply an itemized copy of their price list to the consumer.
Question:
What is the reason for embalming?
Answer: Embalming is a surgical technique used to disinfect, preserve and restore the human body to an acceptable physical appearance. The foremost reason for embalming is the protection of public health. Contrary to the old belief that "the germ dies with the host", human remains begin to decompose almost immediately, therefore offering an ideal environment for microbial growth. Untreated remains can pose serious public health concerns. Additionally, embalming restores the body to an acceptable physical appearance. Restoration is not intended to make the deceased look like the person did during life but rather to enhance the appearance of the deceased and allow for viewing. Many experts on bereavement agree that viewing the deceased confirms the reality of death and helps survivors take an important step toward recovering from their loss. Under provincial regulation, embalming can only be performed if by written acknowledgement on the funeral services contract. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is being transported by air to another country where local laws need be observed.
Question:
Should the deceased be viewed or identified?
Answer: Family members may wish to view the body of the deceased. This can be done in a private or public visitation. Viewing the deceased can be a healthy step toward the resolution of grief. It can be helpful in accepting the fact that death has occurred, especially to the immediate family. Each family member's viewpoint on visitation or viewing may be different. Leaving the option of visitation open to an individual's own emotional needs is in most cases the most favourable response to viewing the deceased. Prior to or shortly after death some people may be adamant that they do not wish to view the deceased, then change their mind a short time later.
By presenting the option of visitation, all family member's individual emotional needs can be met. Positive identification of the deceased, at the funeral home, can also provide family assurances prior to the burial or cremation.
Question:
Is it necessary to have a casket for cremation?
Answer: The deceased need not be presented in a casket for cremation but, in the absence of a casket, a suitable container must be purchased that is sufficient to prevent a health hazard to crematorium personnel. This is provincial law. The container or casket is then placed into the cremation chamber. In the case of rental caskets only the inner container is cremated.
Question:
What is the cost of cremation?
Answer: The crematorium will charge the funeral home a set fee. As crematorium fees vary throughout the province, it is best to contact a funeral home and ask them what the crematorium charges are in your area. Remember that in additional to the crematorium fee you will need to also know the costs for the required container or casket; as well as the funeral home professional service fees .
Question:
What is the cost of a single burial lot?
Answer: In British Columbia the costs vary depending on location. Remember, purchasing a cemetery plot is like purchasing a little piece of real-estate. Single burial lots, including the opening and closing of the grave, and the grave liner, range in cost, but like crematorium charges and professional service fees charged by the funeral home, all price lists must be reviewed by the Registrar of Cemeteries and Funeral Services, Ministry of Attorney General.
Question:
I just want the deceased picked up from the place of death and cremated. Can this be done?
Answer: By law, the deceased can not be cremated until 48 hours after the death has occurred. Vital statistic information must then be obtained in order to secure the necessary permits for the cremation to take place. If the deceased had a pacemaker, this must be removed by the funeral home staff. A person can be buried or cremated with simplicity, however, there is a certain amount of administrative duties and physical preparation of the deceased that may need to be performed prior to the cremation taking place.
Question:
Are most people selecting cremation because we are running out of burial space?
Answer: No. There's more than enough ground space available to bury everyone in Canada.
Question:
How do I know that these are the cremated remains of the deceased and not of someone else?
Answer: Crematoriums and funeral home personnel must adhere to strict regulations and a code of professional ethics. Only one person is cremated at a time and all of the cremated remains are placed in the urn.
Question:
Isn't it a waste to spend a lot of money on a casket when it's just going to burn?
Answer: There are a number of cremation containers or caskets available that are both inexpensive and functional. You must select what is most appropriate for you. Your selection may also depend upon the type of services that are being held prior to the actual cremation taking place.
Question:
I would like to be buried, however, I don't like the idea of the "environmental intrusions" that can take place once the casket is in the ground.
Answer: There are caskets available that are hermetically sealed, therefore preventing the entrance of outside elements. Another option would be to have the casket placed in a mausoleum which is an above ground structure. The casket is placed in specially constructed compartments called crypts.