Death Care Arrangements

Final Care Services

Pine Box Funerals Inc. offers comprehensive final care services, including the legal oversight of the disposition process. This includes completing all necessary legal documentation and facilitating:

• Cremation services

• Natural or traditional cemetery burials

• Coordination for medical or research donation (pre-arranged before death)

For additional support, visit our Information and Resources page, where you’ll find links to local providers for celebrations of life, memorials, unique commemorations, and other helpful resources.

Simple Cremation
Our simple cremation package is $1,475.00 + GST. This covers all legally required processes and paperwork related to cremation. Additional costs may include:

• Viewing, dressing, or shrouding services

• Urns, keepsakes, or jewelry

• Newspaper obituaries

Note: Pine Box Funerals offers obituary placement on our website as part of the $1,475.00 package.

Simple Burial
Burial services are more variable, depending on cemetery requirements and casket selection. A no-frills burial service can be arranged for approximately $8,000.00 in Strathcona County. This includes the cemetery plot and related costs.

Natural Burial
We are proud to offer natural burial options at Northern Lights Cemetery and Aurora Gardens in the City of Edmonton.

Contact us to learn more about creating a personalized plan that meets your needs.

Death Care Arrangements - Funeral Home Services

Our Services

We offer a range of compassionate and practical services to guide you through the process of saying goodbye to your loved one:

• Arrangement Consultation
  Flexible options for consultation, either in the comfort of your home or at our office.

• Transportation
  Dignified transfer of your loved one from their place of death to the funeral home.

• Care and Housing of the Decedent
  Providing respectful care and housing for your loved one.

Visitation and Cremation

Facilitation of the identification and cremation process, including a simple cardboard container for cremation.

• Burial Arrangements
  Coordination and transportation for burial, as well as liaison services with the cemetery.

• Obituary Assistance
  Guidance on writing and placement of obituaries, including posting to our website.

• Cemetery Coordination
  Acting as your liaison with the cemetery to ensure seamless arrangements.

We are here to support you with professionalism and care every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for further details or assistance.

Palliative Passing Away at Home Medical Assistance in Dying - Alberta

In-home, end of life care of a family member is more common with the availability of home care, hospice and palliative care supports. When making end of life decisions, dying at home may be thought to be the most desired location. This decision is often complicated by family supports and pain management. It can change as the trajectory progresses. A family meaningful death care experience can take place wherever death occurs. Our systems of health and death care are not great about connecting family to service providers. The hand-off from life to death by our systems is pretty awkward. This “missing piece” in the circle of care is the up and coming profession of death doula.

There is this in between piece that is kind of a “what now?” just after death happens. It is the time between when death occurs and when the decedent leaves to the funeral home. This time out of time piece could/should be used to make meaning, create ceremony, sit and soak in the presence of time immemorial. The term “crossing the threshold” is an apt descriptor of the time. As a funeral director / death doula, I’m able to help you create this time. Considerations that include music, aromatherapy, dressing, bathing, shrouding, readings. Preparing for this piece helps to build a security net around that “what now?”

In Alberta, all decedents are required to transfer in a leakproof container. The transfer people or funeral home will supply a zippered bag for this purpose. Now, I’ve never been a big fan of just the bag, but there is a requirement - so let’s work with it. There are simple shrouding actions that can be taken, so the decedent leaves home swaddled, with care and love. This action helps to lessen the distress family members can feel with the zippered bag.

For individuals and families considering the medical assistance in dying program, we can support you in family death care. There doesn’t need to be a lot of lead time to prepare for home death care, before physical departure needs to take place.

If death takes place in a care facility, the loved one, could be returned home for final care. Circumstances always prevail in planning.

The logistics of keeping a loved one at home after death don’t need to be overly complicated, just well thought through.  A practical timeline for the deceased to remain at home is 12 to 48 hours. For further information or a complementary consultation, contact us.

Death Doula

What is an End-of-Life Doula?

End-of-Life Doulas (EOLDs) are non-medical companions who support the dying and their families. They work alongside, rather than replace, hospice or palliative care teams, providing holistic services that address physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs. From the initial diagnosis through to bereavement, EOLDs offer guidance and care throughout the journey.

What Does an End-of-Life Doula Do?

End-of-Life Doulas empower, educate, and encourage individuals and families to actively participate in decision-making. The word "doula" comes from Greek, meaning "servant" or "helper." Much like a birth doula supports women during childbirth, a death doula supports individuals during the dying process. This care is personalized, respecting each person’s unique needs, beliefs, and wishes.

Death is a process that can unfold over months or even years. Doulas assist with planning and support, helping families navigate the practical and emotional aspects of this time. Conversations and preparations made in advance, when one is healthy, ensure that end-of-life care aligns with personal values and preferences.

Why Work with an End-of-Life Doula?

Death doulas help normalize conversations about dying and empower families to approach death as a natural and meaningful part of life. They provide education and support, fostering a sense of connection and control during an often overwhelming time.

To connect with local providers or learn more, visit our Resources page.

Learn More

Discover the growing grassroots movement of death doulas in Canada: www.ddnbc.ca

Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ and Tissue Donation

When the body dies, organs and tissues can be donated to help patients in need. This life-saving process must happen quickly to ensure the organs and tissues remain viable for transplantation.

In Alberta, more than 4,500 Canadians—including 700 Albertans—are currently waiting for transplants that could save or significantly improve their lives, according to Alberta Health.

Religious and Personal Considerations
Most religions respect an individual’s right to decide about organ and tissue donation. If you’re uncertain or wish to explore how donation aligns with your beliefs, consider speaking with your spiritual advisor or community leader.

How to Become a Donor
You can indicate your wish to become an organ and tissue donor when renewing or updating your driver’s license. You can also register your intent online through the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.

Learn More and Register

• Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry: MyHealth.Alberta.ca - Organ and Tissue Donation

• Alberta Health Services: Organ and Tissue Donation

• Canadian Transplant Society: Canadian Transplant Society - FAQ

By choosing to become a donor, you could provide the gift of life to someone in need.

Anatomical Research

Donating to the University of Alberta for Anatomical Research

The donation of a body to the University of Alberta supports vital research and education. However, the need for anatomical donations varies, and the university reserves the right to decline a donation. As a precaution, it’s wise to have an alternate plan in place. If a donation is declined, the family will be responsible for making other arrangements.

Planning in Advance
Donation for anatomical research must be arranged ahead of time and included in your will or Advanced Care Plan. It cannot be decided at the time of death.

Learn More
For further details and contact information, visit the University of Alberta’s Anatomical Gifts Program.

Embalming

In Alberta, embalming is not a legal requirement. This process involves replacing bodily fluids with chemicals to preserve the body and ensure public safety.

At Pine Box Funerals, we do not advocate for the routine use of embalming, as it is often unnecessary. However, there are specific situations where embalming may be required. In such cases, we rely on the expertise of skilled, dedicated embalmers who provide this service with professionalism and care.

If embalming is deemed necessary in your circumstances, we will discuss this with you and ensure the service is provided with the utmost respect.