Value-Added service for Albertans
The Cooperative Memorial Society (CCMS) was formed more than half a century ago by individuals who didn't want to pay the exorbitant fees for funeral services. Formed and run as a non profit co-operative, we arrange discounted funeral plans for our members in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Strathmore, High River, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Taber and surrounding areas . Members can save on average $2500-$5000 on their funeral arrangements depending on plan selected . Plans can be prepaid to lock in the price or can be paid at time of need. Our service providers must be locally-owned and operated.
HIDDEN CAMERA INVESTIGATION OF FUNERAL HOMES CBC teamed up with the Toronto Star to uncover pushy upselling and huge markups at Arbor Memorial, Canada's largest funeral home chain. Follow the hidden cameras into six funeral homes to see what the sales pitch looks like when you're dealing with the death of a loved one.
Benefits of Membership
Your membership also helps other work we do:
Our Providers and plans
Next Annual Meeting
Our next annual meeting will be held online via Zoom January 30, 2021 1-3PM 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 our service provider in your area. You will receive immediate assistance with no pressure to make additional purchases. The funeral home representative will verify membership 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 YOur Board of Directors
The CMS board can have between 9 and 12 directors. We are an operational board governed by our bylaws and board policies and procedures.
Vacant Board PositionS
Our Board of Directors is seeking a new director to fill an opening starting in February 2021. The ideal candidate is someone who is strong in finance, mergers and acquisitions and/or the funeral sector. To learn more contact the Board Chair. Buyer Beware
Please note we sometimes receive calls from people thinking the Memorial Society of Alberta is the same as the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS). CMS is owned by its members. We only contract with locally-owned and operated service providers. While the Memorial Society of Alberta is a legitimately registered society, it is owned by Dignity Memorial. Dignity is a large network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers with thousands of funeral homes across Canada. The parent company of Dignity is Service Corporation International, an American provider of funeral goods and services as well as cemetery property and services. It is headquartered in Neartown, Houston, Texas. SCI operates more than 1500 funeral homes and 400 cemeteries in 43 states, eight Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico. Read this concerning article on SCI by Bloomberg. |
Let's get real. You will die - some day. And no, talking about it doesn't make it happen sooner. However by being prepared - even if it is simply sharing your memorial preferences with your family, you make it easier on those who love you most. We can help you. Simply become a member, add your information in our database and let your family know you are registered. Then go live your life to the fullest. If and when you pass away - your family can access significantly discounted funeral prices for your services with no strings attached. Learn more about our plans.
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Our Annual Meeting will be held on
Saturday, January 30, 2021 via Zoom webcast and by telephone 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM If you have any questions or concerns you would like addressed, please enter the information in the form provided. We will attempt to answer all questions during the meeting. Any questions not answered during the meeting will be addressed in person following the annual meeting.
Invitations were sent electronically in early January to our 10,000+ members who have registered their email address in our database. If you do not have an email address on record and would like to attend our annual meeting to be held by Zoom or telephone, please register through Eventbrite. Click on the link "Register for AGM" to access the Eventbrite webpage. Please note voting during the meeting is for CMS members only.
Agenda will include a review of financials, a bylaw change proposal from the Board, review of new service provider contracts outside of Calgary, highlights from the Board's strategic planning session and the director election. |
Meeting MaterialsFor approval: Financial statements
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For information: New service provider contracts in Taber and Medicine Hat
You are InvitedQuick Reference: Download Plans |
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"We make funeral planning simple and affordable by providing our members and their families with access to factual funeral information and exceptional funeral services priced below market cost." Terry Geib, CMS Chair
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"I am astounded and very touched by the quickness and clarity of your response. It is a great help at this time." R. Birks. Aug. 2020.
"The society was very helpful when my husband passed away. Service was great and the price was very reasonable. My mom's funeral cost over $12K in Lethbridge (not including casket she pre-purchased, and not including funeral plot. This was not through the Memorial society)". Kyera L. via Google Jun. 24 2020.
"I tell everyone about CMS. When my husband died at the hospice, they asked me what I would like to do. All I did was pull his membership card out of my wallet, and everything was answered." Lola Sep. 2020.
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