Co-operative Memorial Society

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 reputable service providers to provide discounted funeral plans for our members across central and southern Alberta . Members can save on average $2500 by choosing more simplified services depending on plan selected . Money can also be saved by prepaying plans to lock in the price.

Listen to Audio

Benefits of Membership

Membership in CMS helps ensures that your wishes for your final arrangements are respected, and provides you with access to low priced plans for funeral services from our service providers in central and southern Alberta.
We have partnered with extraordinary funeral homes who will give you and your next of kin, the care, and attention you deserve.
You will have the opportunity to complete your preferences and vital statistics information when you join. This simple process allows you to indicate your preferences as to the disposition of your body at the time of death without pre-purchasing your funeral.
It provides your loved ones with important information they'll need to register your death.
The most important benefit is the peace of mind you gain from knowing that, by putting your affairs in order now, you will be saving your next-of-kin some hasty and painful decisions involving a large amount of money at a time when they are emotionally unprepared.
Membership is transferable among societies in Canada, and most of the more than 180 memorial societies in North America for a modest charge paid to the new location. If you are planning a move, contact us or do an internet search to find out if there is a Memorial Society in the area you are relocating to. Even if you move, you will remain a member of CMS which is useful should you move back at a later date.
As an added benefit, children under the age of 18 are covered under their parent's membership until they turn 18.

More Benefits

Through education, we strive to increase public awareness about funeral practices. Each year we host guest speakers on a variety of topics at our annual meeting and other events during the year.
No high pressure sale tactics. We ask our service providers to not use high pressure sales tactics with our members. Instead, our service providers will guide you through plan selection and can help you with prepayment solutions (should you choose to do so) at the current rate for CMS members.
We monitor funeral legislation, and advocate for consumer protection. It is our policy to only negotiate plans with reputable, Canadian-owned funeral homes to ensure best value and service to our members. Our funeral homes can extend services beyond city limits for a fee covering travel expenses, allowing more Albertans to benefit from the savings.
We encourage anatomical gift-giving. If you are considering body donation or donation of tissues and organs for research, transplant, or teaching purposes, information is available.
We help loved ones through the process of dealing with the death of a member by providing valuable guidance and contact information. Follow our step by step process.

Coming Soon

Annual Meeting

Our next annual meeting will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 1-3:30 PM at the Kerby Centre in Calgary and live-streamed via Zoom. Zoom details will be posted here closer to the date.

Complete your guidance form

Access member forms

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.

Book a Presentation

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

Online change request form

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. In April 2017 she retired as a director for Calgary Co-op after serving 15 years on their board. In addition to Chairing CCMS board meetings, Terry does the writing and graphic design work and leads the strategic planning for CMS. Terry works full time as a business strategist for The City of Calgary.

Sylvia Kasper,
Vice Chair

Sylvia joined the board of CMS in 2007. She is a former crown prosecutor and sits as a member of the Provincial Family Violence Review Committee. She is actively involved in the Calgary Lithuanian Canadian Community. Sylvia currently directs the audit function of the board and assists with the payment processing of new memberships and providing group presentations.

Mark Farris,
Treasurer

Mark retired in 2022 following a 30 year career in the investment industry, most recently as a Portfolio Manager with RBC Dominion Securities in Calgary. Mark is a past board member with the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association and the Calgary Food Bank, where Mark took on the role of Treasurer. Currently Mark volunteers his time with the Foothills Country Hospice Society and the Calgary Food Bank.

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. He is currently Manager of Petroleum Sales with UFA Co-operative Limited, helping agriculture and commercial customers keep their equipment moving. Tim has volunteered with many youth sports teams in hockey, basketball, soccer, and baseball.

Louis Grenier,
Director

Louis joined our board in 2020. He is experienced as a co-op developer having worked in a variety of roles across Canada. Over the past 40 years, he accumulated a variety of experiences in administration, accounting, customer service, management, supervision, teaching and public relations within small, medium and large businesses and organizations.

Susan Costello,
Director

Susan served on the CARP Board of Directors - Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians. She retired from CARP in 2015 and joined the CCMS board where she continues her advocacy efforts.

Jerry Jonasson,
Director

Jerry joined the board of CCMS in 2009. He spent 26 years working in the retail automotive as a sales
representative, new vehicle sales manager and fleet and lease manager. Then another 14 years with the Kerby Centre as an advertising consultant. Jerry is on the CCMS marketing and AGM planning committees.

Nellie Pintus,
Director

Nellie is a retired school teacher and avid hiker. She joined the CCMS Board in 1995 and for many years she held the position of Secretary.

Myrna Malanik,
Director

Myrna joined the board following the AGM in 2019. She is a retired nurse.

Peter Stacey-Salmon,
Director

Peter joined the board in 2015. He is a retired certified management accountant and he completed some MBA courses at McGill University. Peter brings 40 years’ experience in the business sector and government. Peter served as director of Calgary Co-op from 2004 to 2007

Lyndee Kehler,
Director

Lyndee is a Registered Nurse and works as a Director of Care for a supportive living community. She has a special interest in alternative death care and has completed her training as a Death Doula. Lyndee volunteered with CMS in 2020 attending several board meetings and our strategic planning session to share her expertise.

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.

Barb Montgomery
Membership Manager

Barb became the CMS Membership Manager in January 2017 after a 30 year career in hotels and hospitality. Barb's warm and caring personality and attention to detail is appreciated by the entire Board.

Vacant Board Positions

The board will be accepting nominations for two (2) board director positions for the upcoming 2022/23 year.
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, Social Media and Member Engagement

Board Member Duties
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 Term
Board Director Terms are for three (3) years to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms.
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.

TIME OF NEED ASSISTANCE

/

Arlene K.

/

Come Volunteer with Us!

Member Survey

For Your Information...