What is the value in viewing?

Viewing is an important time because it reinforces the reality of death. It may not be easy to do but that is okay. Viewing allows family and friends to see that their loved one is at rest and free from pain and discomfort. It gives us a peaceful memory to cherish.

Why is embalming recommended?

Embalming is important for maintaining the health and safety of the public and the funeral home staff. This procedure ensures the preservation of the body from the time of death until disposition and it allows us to create an acceptable physical appearance of the deceased for the visitation time. Certain regulations exist that makes embalming necessary if the body is to be conveyed by public transportation.

How do I get an Official Death Certificate?

British Columbia residents applying for an official death certificate must apply through a local Vital Statistics Agency. There is $27.00 charge for each Death Certificate.

What is a Funeral Director’s Statement of Death?

It is a document supplied by the funeral director that can be used as proof of death in most cases. It contains the name and age of the deceased, the place and date of death, and the name and address of the funeral service provider. It does not include the cause of death.

Are You Competitively Priced?

At Oliveira Funeral Services Ltd. We dedicate ourselves to serving families well. This not only means we strive to assist them in putting together services that will be meaningful to them, it also means we strive to do so in such away as to make things affordable and value added. When some one you love passes away, you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not you are getting the best price. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our fee and those of our competitors. We honor all Memorial Society Contracts.

How do you make funeral Preplanning?

It is not a difficult or complicated task. Simply call our office and make an appointment or come by for a tour and cup of coffee. There are no fees for preplanning consultation. We provide price quotations on all our products and services without cost or obligation. Preplanning can be made at our Funeral Home or in the privacy of your own home. Your wishes will be recorded in writing and retained on file until needed.

Who Preplans a funeral?

People of all ages.Family members or an executor who is responsible for the care of someone in a nursing home or extended care facility.Family members who are caring for someone terminally ill.Anyone can consider preplanning.

What are the advantages of making Prearrangements?

Peace of mind and the assurance that your wishes are recorded.Preplanning provides an opportunity to ask questions and to get clear and concise answers on all aspects of the funeral.Personal choices can be considered and economic decisions made without emotional stress.Relieves family members of difficult choices at time of death. Preplanning is a practical idea that makes sense.Funeral Preplanning is every bit apart of sensible estate planning as Making a Will is or signing a personal directive.

Can a Preplan funeral be prepaid?

Yes, it’s your choice.Based on the last five decades, we know the cost of cemetery and funeral arrangements will continue to increase. Prepaying allows the costs to be frozen at today’s prices.Payment can be made in installments.You can also Pre-plan without payment.

If I choose to Pre-pay my funeral what Prepayment options do I have?

With a Pre-Need Funeral Trust Plan.Payments can be made by single payment or up to 5 year installments.(with interest free Payments) The funeral home must deposit your funds in trust. The accrued interest growth is applied to any cost increase when the services are required.

What happens when a death occurs at home?

If the death occurs unexpectedly or suddenly, the family should immediately contact the local police and inform them. The Coroner’s Office will be notified by the police and a Coroner will come to the place of the death to investigate the death. The deceased will then be transported to the nearest hospital for further investigation. After their investigation has been completed, the deceased will be released into the care of the funeral home selected by the family.If the death has been anticipated and the deceased was under a physician’s care, it is not necessary to contact the police. The family should advise the attending physician of the death and have the doctor complete a medical certificate of death. The family can also contact a funeral home of their choice to arrange for the transport of the deceased to the funeral home. The funeral home staff will then proceed to the residence and transfer the body to the funeral home without delay.

What happens when a death occurs in a care facility?

If an anticipated death occurs in a care facility, the attending physician will be notified and asked to complete the medical certificate of death. After the physician has signed the medical certificate, the care facility will notify the selected funeral home and they will come promptly to the deceased’s room at the care facility and transport the deceased to the funeral home.The family will have many options to consider following the death of their loved one so it is wise to consult a funeral director and determine the needs and wishes of the family. Consultation with a funeral director prior to the time of death will provide the family with information that can ease some of the burden faced when a death occurs. It also allows the family to supply the care facility with the name of the desired service provider so that the hospital can contact the funeral home as soon as possible following the death.

What happens when a death occurs while away from home?

When a death occurs away from home, it is preferable to contact a funeral home in the area where you wish to have the funeral service and interment. It will be more cost effective if the funeral home deals directly with a funeral firm in the place of death, rather than the family making the arrangements. After contact with the family, the funeral provider can then proceed to the place of death, if it is within a reasonable distance, or they can arrange for a local funeral firm to complete the necessary preparations to have the deceased returned home. Once the family returns back to their home, the remainder of the funeral arrangements can then be made with the funeral service provider.

How Long Do You Have to Wait For Your Loved One To Be Cremated?

In BC, you will need to wait 48 hours before a deceased body can be cremated by law. This is because cremation is a final process, and you will not be able to determine the exact cause of death after the cremation is completed.

How Does The Cremation Process Work?

Most cremations take place in a crematory. After a body is prepared for cremation, it is placed in a casket and slid into the cremation chamber. Only one casket is permitted at a time. Once everything is in place, an operator begins the cremation process, and this usually takes between two to three hours. Here the temperature is raised to approximately 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and after a period of two to three hours, the physical remains are consumed by heat.

Can I Watch The Cremation Process?

This may be possible with sufficient notice. You can contact Oliveira Funeral Home for additional information on rates and requirements.

What Happens After The Cremation Process?

The cremated remains are carefully removed from the cremation chamber. The cremated remains are then cleared off all metallic articles and are then run through a processor. These remains are transferred to an urn. Urns are labelled correctly with proper identification to ensure they are not misplaced or misidentified. The remains are then handed over to the family.

Is Cremation Becoming More Common?

Cremation has become the more popular over the past 2 decades. It may be due to cultural or religious requirements. In comparison to burial, cremation may be a less expensive option. Some people view cremations as being a greener option than burial.

What Can You Do With The Cremated Remains?

There are several different things that people choose to do with the cremated remains. You can keep the urn in your home, scatter the cremated remains on land or water, bury it in a cemetery plot or any other option.

Is Scattering Cremated Remains Illegal in B.C?

In British Columbia, cremated remains do not come under the laws and regulations for burials or cremations. If you plan on scattering the cremated remains on somebody else's property, you will need prior permission. You may scatter the cremated remains on water but make sure that it is not a marine park.You may have questions about Cremating a loved one and we’ll try our best to answer some of them for you below. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at Info@oliveirafuneralhome.com.

Funeral Pre-Planning: Why Planning Ahead Is a Loving Decision

September 11, 2026

Most of us don’t like thinking about our own funeral, let alone planning it. It can feel uncomfortable, a little morbid, or simply like something to deal with later. But planning ahead can save your family from having to make difficult decisions at an already difficult time.

At Oliveira Funeral Home, we’ve seen the difference it makes when a family knows what their loved one wanted. They spend less time second-guessing the details and have more space to focus on saying goodbye.

What Is Funeral Pre-Planning?

Funeral pre-planning is the process of thinking about and documenting your preferences for your funeral, burial, cremation, or memorial service before those arrangements are needed. It gives you an opportunity to consider the type of service you would like, discuss your wishes with your family, and understand the options available to you.

Pre-planning can be as simple or detailed as you want. Some people make decisions about burial or cremation and the type of ceremony they prefer, while others choose specific details such as music, readings, flowers, religious traditions, or how they would like their life to be remembered.

The purpose is not to predict the future or make every decision for your family. Instead, it provides guidance at a time when your loved ones may otherwise have to make important choices while they are grieving.

A pre-planning conversation with a funeral director can also help you understand the services available, ask questions about costs, and make sure your wishes are clearly recorded.

Here are five reasons funeral pre-planning can be a thoughtful and loving decision for your family.

1. It Takes Some of the Pressure Off

When someone passes away, their family is often asked to make a long list of decisions almost immediately. Burial or cremation? A traditional funeral or something smaller? Which music, flowers, or readings? Even simple choices can feel overwhelming when you’re grieving.

Making funeral arrangements ahead of time answers many of those questions. Your family still has room to make personal choices, but they aren’t left guessing about the things that mattered most to you.

2. You Can Plan for Funeral Costs

Funerals can be a significant expense, especially when the cost is unexpected. Planning ahead gives you time to look at the options, ask questions, and decide what feels right for your family and your budget.

Pre-planning doesn’t always mean pre-paying, but you can choose to set up a preneed contract. Some funeral costs may be secured at today’s rates, while taxes and certain outside charges can still change. Your funeral director can explain what is included so you know exactly what you’re planning and paying for.

3. Your Wishes Are Clearly Understood

Your family may know that you prefer cremation, but do they know whether you want a service? What music you would choose? Whether you want something traditional, religious, casual, or completely private? These are details many people never think to talk about.
Pre-planning gives you a chance to write those wishes down. You can choose the type of end-of-life celebration that feels right to you, from a traditional funeral to a small memorial service or no formal gathering at all. It also gives you a natural reason to start the conversation with your family.

4. It Can Help Prevent Family Disagreements

Grief affects everyone differently, and even close families can disagree about what someone would have wanted. One person may picture a traditional service while another believes something simple would be more fitting.

A pre-arranged funeral plan gives everyone the same starting point. It won’t make every decision for them, but it can prevent unnecessary tension and make those remaining choices a little easier.

5. It Gives You Peace of Mind Today

There is comfort in knowing your wishes have been discussed and recorded. Once your pre-plan is complete, you can put it aside and get back to living your life. And if your wishes change later, your plan can change with you.
Start the Conversation

Planning your funeral in advance is not about focusing on death. It is about giving yourself and your family greater clarity when the time comes.

You do not need to make every decision in one appointment. Start with the questions that matter most to you, learn about your options, and take the time you need to consider what feels right.

At Oliveira Funeral Home, our team can help you understand the available arrangements, answer your questions, and document your wishes in a respectful and comfortable setting.

If you have been thinking about funeral pre-planning, we invite you to start the conversation. There is no pressure to make every decision at once—just an opportunity to plan ahead and give your family one less thing to worry about.

What Can You Include in a Funeral Pre-Plan?

There is no single way to pre-plan a funeral. Your arrangements can reflect your personal, cultural, religious, and family preferences.

Depending on your wishes, a funeral pre-plan may include:

• Burial or cremation preferences
• Type of funeral, memorial, or celebration-of-life service
• Preferred funeral location or setting
• Casket or urn preferences
• Music, readings, prayers, or religious traditions
• Flowers or charitable donations
• Who you would like to be involved in the service
• Preferences regarding the final disposition of cremated remains
• Obituary or remembrance preferences
• Personal or cultural traditions you would like observed
• Financial arrangements and questions about funeral costs

You do not have to make every decision at once. A funeral director can help you work through the options and identify the decisions that are most important to you.

The most valuable part of a pre-plan is that it gives your family a clearer understanding of what you would have wanted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Pre-Planning

What is funeral pre-planning?
Funeral pre-planning is the process of discussing and documenting your preferences for your funeral, burial, cremation, or memorial service before those arrangements are needed. It allows you to communicate your wishes and gives your family guidance for the future.

Does funeral pre-planning mean I have to pay in advance?
No. Pre-planning and pre-paying are different. You can document your funeral wishes without necessarily making advance financial arrangements. If you are considering pre-payment, ask the funeral home to explain the specific terms and costs involved.

Can I change my funeral pre-plan later?
Your circumstances and preferences can change over time. Depending on the type of arrangement you have made, changes may be possible. Speak with your funeral director about how your specific plan can be reviewed or updated.

How early should I pre-plan a funeral?
There is no particular age when you need to start pre-planning. Some people begin after a major life event, while others simply prefer to make their wishes known well in advance. Starting early gives you more time to consider your options without pressure.

Can I pre-plan a cremation?
Yes. Cremation preferences can be discussed as part of funeral pre-planning. You can also discuss the type of service you would like to have before or after the cremation and preferences regarding the final disposition of the cremated remains.

Does my family have to follow my funeral wishes?
The legal effect of documented funeral wishes can depend on the circumstances and applicable provincial requirements. If you have specific concerns about who has authority to make decisions, discuss them with your funeral director and, where appropriate, a qualified legal professional.

What should I bring to a funeral pre-planning appointment?
You do not need to have everything prepared before your first conversation. It can be helpful to bring any information about your preferred arrangements, family contacts, religious or cultural wishes, existing cemetery arrangements, and questions about costs.