F.A.Q.

ARRANGEMENT CONFERENCE

• Do I need to take an appointment, or can I just go directly to the parlor?

It is always better to call us for an appointment.  A counsellor will guide you through your first call and tell you all the information you need to bring with you for the meeting.  We will then set an appointment at a time that is most convenient for you.  It will also ensure that a counsellor is available and able to dedicate all their time to you when you come to the parlor.

• Does the parlor make the arrangements with the Church and Cemetery?

Our counsellor will make sure to coordinate everything between the parlor, the church and the cemetery if necessary.  You will then be given an appointment directly at the church or at the cemetery for finer details.  Please note that the fees payable to the church or cemetery are not included in your contract made with the funeral parlor.

• What do I need to bring for my appointment?

You will need to bring several information of the deceased in order for us to be able to file in the governmental paperwork, such as: complete name, birth date, place of birth, name of parents, social insurance number, Health Insurance Card, driver’s licence, etc.  If the deceased was married at the time of death, we will also need all the same information for the surviving spouse, as well as the date and place or marriage.

Eventually, you will also need a picture (if you want an obituary published in the newspaper or bookmarks) and clothes (if the deceased is to have a traditional funeral).

• My relative passes away at home, what do I do?

A simple call to 450-699-9919 (24h/day, 7days/week) can be made, and we will make sure to go get your loved one as soon as we can, after the doctor attested the death of your relative.  We will then set an appointment, at a time that is convenient for you, to make the arrangements. 

• How much does a funeral cost?

With the several different options that are available to you, it is difficult for us to say an exact price here.  We are always available to answer your questions on pricing over the phone, or directly at the parlor.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS/ESTATE

• Is it mandatory for me to use the services of a notary?

It is not mandatory for you to use the services of a notary for all matters regarding the estate.  However, it is highly recommended.  The liquidation of an estate is a long and complicated procedure.  Hiring a notary ensures that everything is going to be done.  It will also ensure that everything goes according to the law.

• When will I get a copy of the death certificate that the doctor signed?

This document is not a death certificate, it is known as the bulletin of death or SP-3 form.  It is the only document that will mention the cause of death.

You will not get a copy of this document automatically.  To get a copy, you need to go to the archives of the hospital where your loved one passed away.

• What is the difference in between the several types of proofs of death?

There are different proofs of death that you can obtain, here is a brief explanation for each one:

The bulletin of death or SP-3 form, is the document that is completed and signed by the doctor.  It mentions the hour, date and cause of death of your loved one.  A funeral director is mandated by the law to carry this document while transporting a deceased at all times.  A copy will then be sent the Civil Status of Quebec along with the declaration of death.

The declaration of death or DEC-100 form, is filled by the funeral director and sent to the Civil Status of Quebec during your arrangement conference.  After the meeting, a copy of this document will be given to you for your files.

The attestation of death is a temporary proof of death that is given to you by your counsellor.  They are used to start the process with the bank, insurance companies, notaries, etc, until you get the official death certificate from the government of Quebec.

The death certificate or copy of an act of death is the official proof of death made by the Civil Status of Quebec.  You will not receive this document directly after your loved ones passing.  You need to order it from the Civil Status of Quebec either by their web site, their service counter or by mail.  The counsellors of the Complexe Funéraire Châteauguay take care of ordering this document for you, unless you specify otherwise.

EMBALMING

• What is an embalming?

An embalming is the process during which your body will be conserved by preservative fluid injected in your body.

• If we want the casket to be closed during the viewing, does the deceased need to be embalmed?

No, but the deceased need to be in a hermetic container, the viewing with the closed casket need to take place within 30 days after the death and for a maximum of 3 hours.

In those cases, the deceased is still dressed and prepared just as if the casket was opened. It is a form of respect for the deceased.

• Is it possible to see the deceased before the cremation without having him embalmed?

It is possible to see the deceased before cremation.  Although, it has to be done rapidly. This is a private short duration visitation where only immediate family members are allowed, since it is not a public viewing.

A counsellor of the Complexe Funéraire Châteauguay will guide you through the process and answer your questions on the procedure.

• Does the deceased have to be embalmed before cremation?

No, it is not necessary to be embalmed before being cremated.  After we proceed with the transfer from your place of death to the parlor, you will be put in your cremation container and kept in the refrigerated unit until you are cremated.

• Do you have any suggestions for the necessary clothing for a viewing?

A full set of clothes is needed; pants/skirt, shirt, underwear, socks, etc.  Short sleeved shirts and low cleavage are to be avoided.

For men it is common to bring a full suit. If in the case the deceased generally did not wear a blazer, a simple dress shirt will suffice.   For women, it is common to bring a blouse and a skirt or a dress.  Articles of clothing with cleavage/plunging necklines should be avoided, as well we prefer long sleeved shirts over short sleeved ones.

• Are we going to get the deceased clothes back after the viewing?

No, the clothes will not be given back to you, for hygienic purposes and to go in accordance with the law.

CREMATION

• How long is a cremation?

A cremation takes two hours.  It takes an hour before the cremation unit reaches its optimal temperature of 1050^O Celsius. When the cremation is finished, it takes a certain time for the cremation unit to cool down.  Once this is over, we can blend your ashes and put them in an urn.

• Are several people cremated at the same time?

No, cremation is always done with only one deceased at a time.  The cremation unit is a bit larger and a bit higher than a regular sized casket, meaning there is no place for two deceased.  Furthermore, this would cause a great increase in the temperature of the cremation unit and cause its malfunction.

• Does an urn contain all the ashes?

Yes, the urn given back to you by the funeral parlor contains all the ashes of your loved one.  The urns you purchase from the funeral parlor come from trusted suppliers and are of standard dimension (200 inches cubed).

• How can I be certain that my loved ones ashes are really the ones in the urn?

You are rigourously identified through all the process.  A tag is placed on different body parts by the hospital.  The staff taking care of your removal makes sure to verify your identity with those tags before proceeding with your transfer to the parlor.

Once you are in the parlor, you are placed in your cremation container, and your cremation container is identified with your name.  When cremation is done, we fill out a tag mentioning your name, date and number of cremation that is placed on the door of the cremation unit, allowing us to know which deceased is inside.  This tag will then follow your ashes until you are in your urn, and will stay on your urn until the time it is given back to a family member or placed in the visitation room for a viewing.

Inside your urn, a metal tag is attached to the bag containing your ashes.  This tag bears your cremation number.  This cremation number also appears on the cremation certificate handed back to you by the funeral home.

• After what time can I be embalmed or cremated?

According to the Civil Code of Quebec, a delay of six hours after the time of death has to be observed before an embalming or a cremation.

You can be assured that neither of these two procedures will be done before your appointment at the funeral parlor.

• The deceased wished to be cremated, can we still have a viewing?

Many people express their desire to see the deceased one last time before cremation.  It is thought to ease the grieving process.  For a small moment before cremation or for a viewing, the counsellors of the Complexe Funéraire Châteauguay are there to help you.

FUNERAL

• Can we have a proper funeral mass in the chapel of the parlor?

When a ceremony takes place in the chapel it is not a funeral mass but a eulogy.  It can include some religious elements like prayers.  Although, there will be no communion since it is not celebrated in a Church, even if the ceremony if officiated by a priest.

• Is it mandatory for a ceremony in the Chapel to be religious?

The funeral in the Chapel can be religious if wanted, the family is also allowed to have a more personalized funeral if desired.  The ministers adapt to your wishes and also the deceased wishes.  The counsellors at the Complexe Funéraire Châteauguay can help you find a minister for your ceremony if needed.

COLUMBARIUM

• What happens to ashes that are in the columbarium after the lease expires?

When an urn is placed into the columbarium, we make sure to take the names, addresses and phone numbers of two persons.  It is to make sure that it is possible to reach a responsible for the urn.  After your lease expires, a letter is sent to you.  You can then choose to renew your rental or come to take the urn back and dispose of it in another manner. 

If we are unable to reach you, we will take the urn out of the niche, but keep it in storage at the funeral parlor, it will always be possible to get the urn from us.

PREARRANGEMENTS

• How can I be sure my prearrangement payment was deposited in a trust fund?

When a prearranged funeral service contract is made at the funeral parlor, we have a 45 days period after the signature of the contract to proceed with the deposit in the trust fund.  After the deposit has been made, the bank sends you a confirmation letter at home indicating your contract number, your name and the date the deposit was made.  We also get a copy of this letter sent at the funeral parlor so we can keep a copy with your contract.

• What happens to my prearrangements if the company goes bankrupt or changes owner?

To proceed with a withdrawl from the trust fund, we need either a proof of death from the hospital or a cancellation form signed by you.  Even if the company is in financial difficulty, this money is inaccessible to us.

If the company is sold to a new funeral director, the prearranged funeral services contract are bought by that new owner and he is bound to respect and fulfill them.

• Is it still possible to get the Death Benefit of 2500$ from the Quebec Pension Plan even if I paid my funeral arrangements in advance?

Yes, it is possible to obtain the death benefit of the Quebec Pension Plan even if you made and paid your funeral arrangement beforehand.  The cheque will be labeled to your estate and will be given to your heirs.

• Is it possible to cancel a contract made elsewhere and transfer it to the Complexe Funéraire Châteauguay?

Yes, a transfer of your prearranged funeral service contract is possible.  Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.