TIME OF NEED ASSISTANCE

If you are dealing with the death of a member, please contact one of our service providers directly. What to do when a loved one dies. 
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.  
Benefits of Membership
  1. 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.
  2. We have partnered with extraordinary funeral homes who will give you and your next of kin, the care, and attention you deserve.
  3. 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.
  4. It provides your loved ones with important information they'll need to register your death. 
  5. 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. 
  6. 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.
  7. 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 annual meeting is usually held on the third Saturday in January. This may change in 2024 in order to align with government filing requirements. The meeting may be moved to March or April.
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. 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,
Director
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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.
Richard Godwin
Treasurer
Richard comes to our Board from Edmonton. He brings experience as a professional accountant and is now our new board Treasurer.
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.
Ross McNichol,
Director
Ross joined the board in 2023 after volunteering on the End of Life Advisory Committee in 2022-2023. ​ 
Ross brings a sharp eye to the board as a Chartered Professional Accountant. 
Debbie Patterson,
Director
Deb joined the board in 2023 after volunteering on the End of Life Advisory Committee in 2022-2023. She will become the Board Chair in 2024, when Terry's term ends.
Deb brings a wealth of experience helping clients deal with end-of-life planning as part of her Tax practice. She has also written a Grief Plan 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. 
Mike Meredith,  Director 
Michael joined our board in 2023 following the resignation of Myrna Malanik. Michael Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New Brunswick.  He has been practicing law since 2006 in the areas of banking, corporate law, and commercial law at both international, national and boutique firms.  Currently his focus is on wills and estates at his own practice.  He is involved in his community association and volunteers with public legal education and teaches adaptive skiing for people with disabilities. 
Barb Montgomery,
Membership Services Coordinator
Barb became the CMS Membership Services Coordinator 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 is looking to fill two director positions.
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:
  1. Finance, Accounting and Audit
  2. Legal and Governance
  3. Marketing, Social Media and Member Engagement
  4. Strategic planning
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.

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​​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.

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Member Survey

We use member feedback to guide our strategies and action plan. We appreciate your feedback.

Come Volunteer with Us!

The board is accepting applications for three (3) board director positions for the upcoming 2023/24 year. We are also looking for people interested in sitting on one of our committees. Learn more.

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. 

​[In-Person] Calgary medical assistance in dying presentation

The Calgary Chapter of Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC) is hosting an In Person Event:
 
When: June 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Kerby Unison Centre, 1133 7 Ave SW., Calgary
What:
  • Receive an update on Bill C-7: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
  • Learn about new grassroots support groups on MAID
  • Hear MAID provider Dr. Simon Bryant present his experiences with the assisted dying process
 Register today at www.dyingwithdignity.ca/upcoming-events/calgary-maid-presentation/
 
For further information, please contact calgary@dyingwithdignity.ca or the national DWDC office at communications@dyingwithdignity.ca.

More information on MAID is available from CMS here.