Dealing with the 100% Certainty Stéphanie Côté Funeral Director, Voluntas Commemoration Inc. Fr. Bertrand Montpetit Pastor, St. Luke’s Parish February 4, 2014 St. Luke’s Parish Presentation

Topics Things to organize before we die Decisions to make before we die Funeral events and use of terms The roles of your priest and funeral director Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

The physical and psychological effects of being organized Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Things to organize before we die Notarial Will Mandate in the event of incapacity o Care to your person o Administration of your affairs Your filing system o Where to find important documents Deeds, bank accounts, investments, key to the safety deposit box, insurance policy, funeral pre-arrangements, birth & marriage certificates, username & passwords, etc. Declutter Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

For every person who dies, there is another who, in all their sorrow and confusion, must make the difficult decisions involved in planning a funeral. Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Decisions to make before we die Plan your funeral o Wishes & needs o Involve your loved ones o Prepare a simple or elaborate guide for your survivors o Allocate a budget Pre-pay Active Life Insurance Policy Assure you’ll have the funds available Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Funeral or Memorial Events Multi-events (elasticity of the funeral process) o Identification and witness of the initial process of cremation o Visitation/gathering o Service/funeral/memorial/celebration of life o Burial/inurnment/entombment/scattering o Reception/after funeral Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Funeral or Memorial Events Thinking and planning ahead about the Funeral/Memorial events o Talking with Priest and or Family while you are still living What happens to your body is a spiritual question too o Your beliefs, the family’s beliefs and expectations Funeral or Memorial? Church, Funeral Home or elsewhere? o Spirituality & Christian practice o Including your story What belongs in a service, what belongs in a reception? Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Roles of your Priest A companion to walk with you towards death with hope and faith Someone who can help you prepare your loved ones for your dying and death Competent to create a rite of passage which honours your faith and your story Accompanies your loved ones through the days from death to funeral, and beyond Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Roles of your Funeral Director In pre-planning o To listen to your wishes, needs and your story o To guide you and your family with your decision making process o To help you find solutions/possibilities o To prepare a plan that will answer your eventual needs o To respect your decisions, privacy and your budget When someone dies o Same as in pre-planning o Decedent care o Provide services, products, resources & knowledge o Coordination and planning of event (liaison and action) o Direct and making sure all is organized according to plan o Legalities and succession settlement initial assistance o Offer bereavement support Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Organizing your end of life… … will not hasten your death … is a journey through self-love … is a gift to your loved ones … will reduce your stress … will reduce the stress of your survivors … will enhance your life No need to worry about death… Enjoy life! Voluntas Commemoration Inc.

Presentation graciously offered by 2744, boul. St-Charles, Kirkland, Qc H9h 3B | |