What form of condolences should you use, and in which cases?

Much more than just a social convention, condolences pay tribute to the deceased and express your compassion to their loved ones. But when a person we know passes on, we don’t always know just how to express our sympathies to their loved ones, support them, or offer them some comfort, which is so necessary when in mourning. Depending on the type of relationship you have with the deceased or the mourner, there is an appropriate form of condolences that lets you respect customs without committing any impropriety.

August 15, 2016

• Rituals

How do you express your thanks after a funeral?

After the death of a loved one, it’s customary to thank the friends and family who came to attend the funeral. While it might seem quite secondary to conform to social customs, thank you cards after a funeral are important, since they let you show your gratitude towards those who demonstrated kindness during these trying times of pain and grief.

August 15, 2016

• Rituals

What is a funeral urn used for and how to choose it?

The use of the funeral urn dates back to prehistoric times. Intended to collect the ashes of the deceased person, it symbolically represents the deceased and bears witness to his/her importance in the lives of his/her loved ones. The choice of a funeral urn, a tribute in memory of the deceased, is made according to the deceased's beliefs, personality and past life.

August 15, 2016

• Services
• Prearrangements
• Rituals

Funeral wreath: when should we contribute to it?

The choice of flowers and sprays of flowers is generally made based on the relationship established with the deceased person. Since the funeral wreath is quite large, a contribution may be made toward its purchase by chipping in with a group of people who have a similar relationship with the deceased. The choice of flowers for mourning is vast, ranging from a simple bouquet to a large grave top.

July 25, 2016

• Services
• Prearrangements
• Rituals

The most commonly used flowers for funeral floral arrangement

Funeral floral arrangement is an art that draws its inspiration from a symbolism of strict codes. Flowers, their shapes and colours are some of the many criteria taken into account to convey a message or emotion. Here are some examples of the flowers most commonly used in funeral floral arrangements.

July 25, 2016

• Services
• Rituals

Cemetery plot: perpetuity is not "eternal"; it is limited to 100 years by the Civil code of Québec since 1994

Here are some brief answers to questions that are regularly asked and that we are convinced will shed light on a number of questions. Our answers have been validated, for the most part, by opinions from Bryan O'Gallagher, legal adviser for the Association des cimetières catholiques romains du Québec.

January 7, 2014

• Prearrangements
• Services