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)
CMS Video by Kiley Handley
WHY PLAN AHEAD?
Funeral planning in a time of immediate need can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming for a grieving family. Planning ahead gives you time to research your options, communicate with family members and even add personal details to your memorial. If you choose to pre purchase you can lock in today’s prices on many items, saving your family money.
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Video by Diana Eaid, Retired Social Worker and Member of CMS' End of Life Advisory Committee

HOW WE HELP YOU PLAN

​1. Direct you to facts and useful information and resources. 
2. Help you save money on your end of life services by partnering with locally operated funeral homes who provide special plans and services for our members.
3. Provide you with access to our online registry where you can record your funeral information, preferences, and obituary details for easy access by the funeral home at time of need.
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TIME OF NEED ASSISTANCE

If you are dealing with member death, please contact one of our service providers​ directly. What to do when a loved one dies. 

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
  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.
  2. We partner 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.
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 because we need more time to complete a full audit. The meeting will likely be held on the last Saturday in February by Zoom.
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.

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. 

Understanding funeral costs

If you’ve never planned a funeral or cremation, the costs can seem confusing. But understanding the costs associated with funerals is the first step to pre-planning. We’re here to help simplify your planning and save you money.
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Come Volunteer with Us!

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The board is accepting applications for 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.

What funeral homes offer CMS members special-priced Plans?

We have over 50 funeral homes who offer plans for our members across Alberta. Major cities include Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat.  For an entire list of funeral homes click here.

​Types of plans are similar across our service providers, though the details within the plans vary. We recommend reviewing the brochures for more information, including inclusions and exclusions.

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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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