Funeral Services

A funeral is a timeless tradition that has given families a chance to say goodbye for thousands of years.  It is a place where a special life can be honoured, their values and accomplishments can be celebrated, and a place where family can begin to heal.  There is so much more a funeral provides than simply a eulogy and biblical quotes; it is a way to commemorate a life and all those it touched. 

Say More Than Just Goodbye

Traditional or contemporary, the funeral service can be tailored to your faith, taste and budget. Whether planning for yourself or a loved one, our professionals will help you design a memorial service as unique as the person being honoured.

For some families, a traditional funeral may provide the most comfort. However, we invite you to be as original as you want.  Our specialists will work creatively and resourcefully to ensure your memorial is custom tailored to your needs. 

Planning a Service and Reception

Don’t feel you are required to have a traditional, clergy-led function.  There are endless ways to pay homage to your loved one in a style that reflects their passions.  We can offer services that cater to the traveller, the reader, the sports fan, the crafter, the volunteer, and so many more.  Send guests home with mementos that remind them of their loved one, or serve a personalized menu of favourite recipes and foods. 

Here are some things to think about which will help tailor the funeral to the person being celebrated:

• Specific interests or qualities about the deceased that you feel are important to remember 
• Anecdotes and stories
• People you want to be sure to include
• Clergy or appropriate speaker to lead the service
• People who may also want to speak at the service
• Songs and music to be played at the service and other events (visitation, reception)
• Poems, passages and other readings for the service

After the service, a reception allows family and friends to gather and reminisce over a meal or refreshments.

While Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens will work closely with any funeral home you choose, we suggest you consider our sister Arbor Memorial funeral homes: Sands Funeral Chapel Nanaimo, and Sands Funeral Chapel Duncan.

Helping You Cope with Grief

AfterCare is an important free service offered by Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens to assist you with practical guidance, literature and emotional support anytime it’s needed. If you are responsible for finalizing the estate, you may be surprised by the number of details requiring your attention. Our AfterCare professionals can help you in your duties.

Planning Ahead

We understand it can be difficult to make important decisions during a time of mourning. Pre-planning allows you to be certain your life will be commemorated as you see fit, while having the peace of mind of knowing your family won’t be left struggling financially during their grief.

We also offer exclusive pre-planning benefits, such as funeral coverage for children and grandchildren under 19, and being able to transfer your funeral plans to any of our locations across Canada.  Learn more about pre-planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements.