Plan Ahead, Ease the LoaD
Funeral planning under stress is overwhelming. Choose advance planning for benefits like thorough research, open family communication, and personalized services. Pre-purchases (an option but not mandatory) lock in today's prices, or our at-need plans for members ensure a cost savings for your loved ones.
HOW WE HELP
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TIME OF NEED ASSISTANCEIf you are dealing with member death, please contact one of our service providers directly. What to do when a loved one dies.
SHARE OUR BROCHURE
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Learn more about us
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting was held by Zoom on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Thank you to the 140 members who attended.
Meeting Materials
Video of AGM (60 min.)
Meeting Materials
Video of AGM (60 min.)
Focus Group Sign up Link
As mentioned in the Chair's report during the AGM, here is the link to sign up for a focus group on March 9 or 10, 2024. Thank you to those able to assist.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM19S9h_677GfAGx8ZuiU2YcNrpxf8MB_Y8UXGeWyKcVLtrA/viewform?usp=sf_link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM19S9h_677GfAGx8ZuiU2YcNrpxf8MB_Y8UXGeWyKcVLtrA/viewform?usp=sf_link
AGM Presentation "THE COMPASSIONATE ROLE OF DEATH DOULAS"
Presented by Laura Silver, Certified Death Doula
Laura Silver, Certified Death Doula
Slide deck:
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ABOUT LAURA
Committed to Compassionate Care Laura Silver is a Certified Death Doula. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband, two of three children, and 2 dogs. Before moving to Alberta in 2016, Laura spent close to fifteen years as a Senior Policy Advisor and Project Manager in the Ontario health care system, as a public servant and also as a Senior Project Manager at Cancer Care Ontario. She contributed to the Ontario Diabetes Strategy, the Home-Based Primary Care Strategy, and the Seniors Strategy. Earlier in her career at the University Health Network, Laura helped build the multidisciplinary approach to health care, participated in the development of the Toronto Central LHIN and contributed to the UHN's Palliative Care Strategy. After moving to Alberta, Laura led the creation of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program for newborns, and spent three years improving patient access to specialist care in the province as the Senior Project Manager for eReferral. Laura is a Certified Lean Green Belt in Healthcare as well as PROSCI certified. Laura sits on the Board of Directors for the Home Hospice Association and is the current Alberta Chapter Chair of HHA. Laura has a vision of every community having their local death doula, and that every member of every community has access to the resources, support and compassionate care that allows them to spend their final days in comfort and peace in their chosen space. |
What a great cooperative this is. I’m so glad to have found it. Once we signed up with the Cooperative Memorial Society, we went & met with your partner funeral home and made arrangements for both my parents. It was so stress free and the savings! Wow … just wow!!! Jo W. (August 19, 2023).
We are delighted to be members of the Memorial Cooperative and grateful to my parents for making our lives easier. Sincerely, Janet (Sep. 2023)
This service was great for my dad. My mom didn't belong. We had the same kind of funeral for her which was basically just immediate family. Mom's funeral was $8,000 and dad's was $2,700. It was easy to plan. I called the funeral home. They picked up my dad's body from the nursing home and looked after the ministry and everything. We stored the ashes at the funeral home until we were ready for the family to meet. Thanks for the great service. Arlene K.
More information
Value-Added service for Albertans
The Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) was formed more than half a century ago by individuals who didn't want to pay the high fees for traditional funeral services when all they wanted was a simple economical funeral. Formed and run as a non profit co-operative, we work with locally-operated service providers to provide discounted funeral plans for our members across Alberta . Members can save on average $3000 by choosing one of our plans. Money can also be saved by prepaying plans to lock in the price at the contract price.
Benefits of Membership
Membership in CMS ensures your final wishes are honored while granting access to affordable funeral plans through our dedicated service providers. Our partnerships with exceptional funeral homes guarantee you and your next of kin the care and attention you deserve.
Upon joining, you'll have the opportunity to specify your preferences and vital statistics without the need to pre-purchase your funeral. This straightforward process not only captures your wishes for body disposition but also provides essential information for your loved ones to register your death.
The most significant advantage is the peace of mind gained by organizing your affairs now, sparing your next-of-kin from hasty, emotionally challenging decisions and substantial financial burdens.
Your membership is transferable among societies in Canada and across North America for a modest fee paid to the new location, offering flexibility if you plan to relocate. Even if you move, remaining a CMS member proves valuable should you return at a later date.
As an additional benefit, children under 18 are covered under their parent's membership until they reach adulthood.
Join CMS today and ensure peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.
Upon joining, you'll have the opportunity to specify your preferences and vital statistics without the need to pre-purchase your funeral. This straightforward process not only captures your wishes for body disposition but also provides essential information for your loved ones to register your death.
The most significant advantage is the peace of mind gained by organizing your affairs now, sparing your next-of-kin from hasty, emotionally challenging decisions and substantial financial burdens.
Your membership is transferable among societies in Canada and across North America for a modest fee paid to the new location, offering flexibility if you plan to relocate. Even if you move, remaining a CMS member proves valuable should you return at a later date.
As an additional benefit, children under 18 are covered under their parent's membership until they reach adulthood.
Join CMS today and ensure peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.
How we Operate
As a cooperative we are owned and controlled by our members represented by a volunteer board with up to 12 directors. We have a paid part-time Membership Services Coordinator and plan to add an Executive Director to manage our growing operations. Each year we host a special meeting for members by Zoom, distribute four email newsletters, and host a variety of presentations on different topics.
Annual Meeting
Our annual meeting is usually held on the third Saturday in January. This will change in 2024 to give our auditor more time to complete a full audit. As a result, the meeting will be held on Saturday February 24, 2024 1:00 - 3:00 PM by Zoom. (Log-in starts at 12:45 pm.) Registration information will be sent by email to all members in early January. Meeting materials will be emailed closer to the AGM.
If you are not a member, you do not have an email address with us, or you want the invitation sent to someone who does not have their email address on record with us, please complete the form below:
Complete your guidance form
Book a presentation
We can provide in-person, online or telephone presentations to any group interested in learning more about our organization and the service we provide.
Dealing with the death of a Member
If you are faced with dealing with the death of a family member with a CMS membership, please contact one of our service providers in your area. You will receive immediate assistance with no pressure to make additional purchases. The funeral home representative will verify membership through our database and share with you any instructions left by the member. Your next step will be to identify the appropriate plan. Follow our step by step list...
Update your address
Meet our Board of Directors
The CMS board has 12 directors. We are an operational board governed by our bylaws and board policies and procedures.
Terry Geib,
Chair |
Terry joined the board of CMS in 2009 after serving on numerous co-operative boards at provincial and national levels. In addition to her work leading the board, Terry assists with writing and graphic design work and leads the strategic planning for CMS. Terry retired from her role as a business strategist for The City of Calgary in 2023.
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Sylvia Kasper,
Vice Chair |
Sylvia joined the board of CMS in 2007. She is a former crown prosecutor. She is actively involved in the Calgary Lithuanian Canadian Community. Sylvia currently directs the audit function of the board, assists with the payment processing of new memberships, provides group presentations and manages administrative issues.
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Mark Farris,
Director |
Mark retired in 2022 following a 30 year career in the investment industry. Mark is a past board member with the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association and the Calgary Food Bank. Currently Mark volunteers his time with the Foothills Country Hospice Society and the Calgary Food Bank. Mark will retire from the board following the AGM in 2024 to travel.
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Tim Duthie,
Secretary |
Tim comes from a rural family with solid roots in the cooperative movement. His first job was with a co-op in rural Alberta, and has over twenty years of experience working for and with co-operatives. Tim has volunteered with many youth sports teams in hockey, basketball, soccer, and baseball.
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VACANT
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Debbie Patterson,
Treasurer |
Deb joined the board in 2023 after volunteering on the End of Life Advisory Committee in 2022-2023. She assumed the role of Treasurer in January 2024.
Deb brings a wealth of experience helping clients deal with end-of-life planning as part of her tax practice. She has written a Grief Plan (planning binder) which she provides to her clients. |
Ruth Wall,
Director |
Ruth joined our board after serving many years as the Membership Manager and Director of the Memorial Society of Red Deer and District. Ruth will be retiring from the Board following the AGM in 2024 but will continue to assist CMS by leading presentations in the Central Alberta region.
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Mike Meredith,
Director |
Mike joined our board in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from McGill University. Mike has been practicing law since 2006 in the jurisdictions of Alberta, as well as Ontario, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In 2015 he started his own law firm with a focus is on wills and estates, corporate law, and residential real estate. Mike is involved in his community association and volunteers with public legal education and teaches skiing with the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Association.
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Vacant Board Positions
The board is looking to fill several director positions and is looking for members willing to sit on committees. A great way to give back and gain valuable experience!
Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications required under the Cooperatives Act of Alberta, directors must have a membership in the cooperative, be committed to the cooperative’s mission and strategic directions, be willing to commit the time required, assume responsibilities needed to manage the cooperative effectively and be open to learning.
An ideal candidate for board membership will have some experience in one of the following areas:
Board members are expected to:
Board Director Terms are for three (3) years to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. Committee terms are one year with the option to renew.
How to apply
Interested candidates should contact Mark Farris, Chair of the Board Capacity Committee at markfarris30@gmail.com or (403) 554-4747.
Thank you for your interest.
Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications required under the Cooperatives Act of Alberta, directors must have a membership in the cooperative, be committed to the cooperative’s mission and strategic directions, be willing to commit the time required, assume responsibilities needed to manage the cooperative effectively and be open to learning.
An ideal candidate for board membership will have some experience in one of the following areas:
- Finance, Accounting and Audit
- Legal and Governance
- Marketing and Advertising (Build a campaign!)
- Member Engagement (Deliver Zoom or In-person Presentations)
- Social Media Posting
- Videography (Create 1-min infomercials)
Board members are expected to:
- Prepare for and participate in board meetings either in-person or remotely
- Listen to others’ views, advocate their own, identify common interests and alternatives, and be open to compromise
- Support governance decisions once made
- Participate in the review of the cooperative’s mission and objectives and in the development of a strategic plan
- Help the board to monitor the performance of the cooperative in relation to its mission, objectives, core values and reputation
- Abide by the by-laws, code of conduct, conflict of interest and other policies that apply to the board
- Participate in the approval of the annual budget and monitor the financial performance of the cooperative
- Help establish, review and monitor operational policies
- Participate in the hiring of, and if required, the releasing of individuals or companies who are employed by or who provide consulting services to the Board
- Participate on one or more board committees
- Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting
- Be an ambassador for the cooperative
- Keep informed about community issues relevant to the mission and objectives of the cooperative.
Board Director Terms are for three (3) years to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. Committee terms are one year with the option to renew.
How to apply
Interested candidates should contact Mark Farris, Chair of the Board Capacity Committee at markfarris30@gmail.com or (403) 554-4747.
Thank you for your interest.
Member Survey
Your participation in this survey will help us understand the information you want/need in order to easily get your affairs in order. Complete survey.