Let's talk about Men's health

The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process, and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. PASSIVE Screening for all visitors to the funeral home. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, six feet /two meters distance must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Visitations Indoors: HAMILTON & BURLINGTON – · Open to the public with 50% capacity limits at a time and controlled with an in person counting system. 7. Funeral Home Chapel Funeral Services Indoors : Must be private by family invitation ONLY (date/time of service cannot be published). HAMILTON - Maximum of 60 attendees in the funeral home chapel, with optional second room with additional capacity for 50 attendees. BURLINGTON - Maximum 60 attendees throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the funeral home in {Chapel (30)/Terrace (15)/Parterre (15)}. 8. Church Services Indoors: If allowed by church, we will follow each church’s individual protocols for capacity limits. 9. Cemetery: Two meters of physical distancing, public open gathering outdoors. We will follow each Mausoleum’s protocols. *Bayview Mausoleum 25 attendees. 10. Receptions: Private by family invitation ONLY . HAMILTON & BURLINGTON – Maximum 60 attendees indoors, with optional outdoor patio additional capacity. Family Style catering ONLY. 11. If live streaming , the date and time to log on for the live streaming is permitted to be published and shared publicly. (The location of the service is private).

The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process, and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. PASSIVE Screening for all visitors to the funeral home. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, six feet /two meters distance must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. (No Receptions) 7. Visitations Indoors: HAMILTON & BURLINGTON – contact tracing for all attendees • Open to the public with 50% capacity limits at a time and controlled with an online Sign Up system, preventing lineups. 8. Funeral Home Chapel Funeral Services Indoors: Must be private by family invitation ONLY (date/time of service cannot be published) and contact tracing for all attendees. • HAMILTON - Maximum of 60 attendees in the funeral home chapel, with optional second room with additional capacity for 50 attendees. • BURLINGTON - Maximum 60 attendees throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the funeral home in {Chapel (30)/Terrace (15)/Parterre (15)}. 9. Church Services Indoors: Must be private by family invitation ONLY (date/time of service cannot be published) and contact tracing for all attendees. If allowed by church, we will follow each church’s protocols for 50% capacity limits. 10. Cemetery: Two meters of physical distancing, public open gathering outdoors. We will follow each Mausoleum’s protocols. *Bayview Mausoleum 25 attendees. 11. If live streaming, the date and time to log on for the live streaming is permitted to be published and shared publicly. (If possible, the location of the service is private).

The following are the most current safety protocols.

The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. Our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self- isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Screening for all employees (active screening) and visitors (passive screening) to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, six feet /two meters distance must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. 7. Visitations Indoors: HAMILTON: Maximum of 25% capacity (50 attendees) of a particular visitation room at the Hamilton location. BURLINGTON: Maximum of 25% capacity (50 attendees) throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the facility at the Burlington location. 8. Funeral Home Chapel Funeral Services Indoors: HAMILTON: Maximum of 25% capacity (50 attendees) in the funeral home chapel at the Hamilton location. BURLINGTON: Maximum of 25% capacity (50 attendees) throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the funeral home in Burlington (Chapel/Terrace/Parterre). 9. Church Services Indoors: (if allowed by church): Maximum of 25% capacity (different for every church) to a maximum of 75 attendees in the entire church. Your funeral director will explain how the funeral service at church will take place if the number of attendees exceeds 75. Under no circumstances will the funeral home staff will be allowed to enter the church when there are more than 75 attendees. 10. Outdoors (Cemetery): Two meters of physical distancing to a maximum of 75 attendees. Maximum 25% capacity for a Mausoleum (different for every mausoleum) *Bayview Mausoleum 35 attendees. 11. All above numbers, when using the term ATTENDEES, include your immediate family members, invited guests, pallbearers, church staff, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home & Cemetery Staff are not included in the numbers). 12. Private, by invitation or by appointment ONLY Visitations: The location, date and time will not be published or provided to the public by the funeral home staff. Families to select between online registration for visitation (first come first served method) or looking after their own invitations privately (to control who gets a spot). Funeral Services are by family invitation ONLY. 13. If live streaming, the date and time to log on for the live streaming is permitted to be published and shared publicly.

The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory . 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, six feet /two meters distance must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. 7. Visitations Indoors: Maximum of 15% capacity (25 attendees) of a particular visitation room to a maximum of 50 attendees in the entire facility at the Hamilton location. Maximum of 15% capacity (30 attendees) throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the facility at the Burlington location. 8. Funeral Home Chapel Funeral Services Indoors: Maximum of 15% capacity (30 attendees) in the funeral home chapel at the Hamilton location. Maximum of 15% capacity (30 attendees) throughout the main floor (three rooms) of the funeral home in Burlington (Chapel/Terrace/Parterre). 9. Church Services Indoors: (if allowed by church): Maximum of 15% capacity (different for every church) to a maximum of 50 attendees in the entire church. Your funeral director will explain how the funeral service at church will take place if the number of attendees exceeds 50. Under no circumstances will the funeral home staff will be allowed to enter the church when there are more than 50 attendees. 10. Outdoors (Cemetery): Two meters of physical distancing to a maximum of 30 attendees. Maximum 15% capacity for a Mausoleum (different for every mausoleum) *Bayview Mausoleum 25 attendees. 11. All above numbers, when using the term ATTENDEES, include your immediate family members, invited guests, pallbearers, church staff, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home & Cemetery Staff are not included in the numbers). 12. Private, by invitation ONLY Funeral Services & Visitations: The location, date and time will not be published or provided to the public by the funeral home staff. Families to select between online registration for visitation (first come first served method) or looking after their own invitations privately (to control who gets a spot). Funeral Services are by family invitation ONLY. 13. If livestreaming , the date and time to log on for the live streaming is permitted to be published and shared publicly.

Lockdown (Updated April 17, 2021) Effective Monday, April 19, 2021 The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. Attendance at all funeral services will be restricted to a maximum of 10 attendees in total, indoors or outdoors, starting Monday. The indoor and outdoor limits cannot be combined to allow more than 10. The maximum of 10 attendees does not include funeral or cemetery staff, as in previous COVID-19 safety restrictions. Cemeteries will also be restricted to the 10 maximum for funeral services. The measures of physical distancing of two metres between people, wearing of masks indoors and outdoors, and cleaning and disinfecting of facilities between services remain in place. Serving food is prohibited at all funerals and visitations. Grey Zone Protocols (Updated March 29, 2021) The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask, or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 50 people are permitted into the funeral home, 10 to a Mausoleum and 30 to a Cemetery. This includes your immediate family members, pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included) 7. Private Funeral Services & Visitations ONLY (Date/time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church (if allowed by church) are by invitation only with a maximum total of 50 people. The 50 people includes your immediate family, minister and pall bearers if applicable. Funeral Home staff do NOT count towards the 50 Re d Zone Protocols (Updated March 16, 2021) The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has traveled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 100 people (including family) are permitted into the funeral home for visitation, to be scheduled in small groups with cleaning intervals, 50 maximum for service day (including family and clergy) – both at the funeral home chapel and at a church, 20 to a Mausoleum and 30 to a Cemetery. All the above numbers include your immediate family members (those staying for the entire visitation), pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included). HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON ARE CURRENTLY IN THE RED ZONE **Visitation/or Service options dependent upon current Colour Zone designation determined by the Provincial Government** 7. Private Funeral Services (Date/time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church are by invitation only with a maximum total of 50 people. 8. Private Visitation (Date/times not published): By Invitation only and maximum total of 100 people are pre-registered (List of everyone’s full name and telephone number) and invited to attend the visitation during a specified time. There will be a minimum of 15 minutes for cleaning and disinfection between groups of guests. This guest list must be supplied by the family to the funeral home the day before the visitation. Guests must remain in their vehicles until their visitation time and a staff member comes out to compare guests to the list provided by the family and or calls the guests cell phone to invite them to come into the funeral home for the visitation. Red Zone Protocols (Updated February, 16, 2021) GOVERNMENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS: The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask, or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 50 people are permitted into the funeral home, 20 to a Mausoleum and 30 to a Cemetery. This includes your immediate family members, pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included) HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON ARE CURRENTLY IN THE RED ZONE FOR AS OF February 16, 2021 **Visitation/or Service options dependent upon current Colour Zone designation determined by the Provincial Government** 7. Private Funeral Services (Date/Time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church are by invitation only with a maximum total of 50 people. 8. Private Visitation (Date/Times not published): By Invitation only and maximum total of 50 people are pre-registered (List of everyone’s full name and telephone number) and invited to attend the visitation during a specified time. There will be a minimum of 15 minutes for cleaning and disinfection between groups of guests. This guest list must be supplied by the family to the funeral home the day before the visitation. Guests must remain in their vehicles until their visitation time and a staff member comes out to compare guests to the list provided by the family. Grey Zone Protocols (Updated January 29, 2021) GOVERNMENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS: The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask, or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 10 people are permitted into the funeral home, 10 to a Mausoleum and 10 to a Cemetery. This includes your immediate family members, pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included) HAMILTON & BURLINGTON ARE CURRENTLY IN THE GREY ZONE **Visitation/or Service options dependent upon current Colour Zone designation determined by the Provincial Government** 7. Private Funeral Services & Visitations ONLY (Date/time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church (if allowed by church) are by invitation only with a maximum total of 10 people. The 10 people includes your minister and pall bearers if applicable. Funeral Home staff do NOT count towards the 10 . NEW (DECEMBER 21, 2020): GOVERNMENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS: The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask, or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 50 people are permitted into the funeral home, 20 to a Mausoleum and 30 to a Cemetery. This includes your immediate family members, pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included) HAMILTON IS CURRENTLY IN THE GREY ZONE AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 BURLINGTON IS IN THE RED ZONE AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2020 AND WILL BE GOING INTO THE GREY ZONE/LOCKDOWN AS OF DECEMBER 26, 2020 **Visitation/or Service options dependent upon current Colour Zone designation determined by the Provincial Government** 7. Private Funeral Services (Date/time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church are by invitation only with a maximum total of 10 people. 8. Private Visitation (Date/times not published): By Invitation only and maximum total of 10 people are pre-registered (List of everyone’s full name and telephone number) and invited to attend the visitation during a specified time. There will be a minimum of 15 minutes for cleaning and disinfection between groups of guests. This guest list must be supplied by the family to the funeral home the day before the visitation. Guests must remain in their vehicles until their visitation time and a staff member comes out to compare guests to the list provided by the family. (December 14, 2020) GOVERNMENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS: The following are the Government Directives in place for the safety of everyone. There is quite a bit of information to process and our Funeral Directors are available for clarification and additional detailed explanation of all protocols in place. 1. Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, has travelled in the last two weeks from anywhere outside of Ontario or from current Colour Zone Grey (Lockdown), or is showing cold/flu-like symptoms should be self-isolated and not attend the visitations/services/interments thereby risking exposure to others. With immediate family travelers, there is the option to initially still quarantine, book and take a rapid results COVID-19 test in Ontario, receive a negative test result and provide accompanying documentation to the funeral home. 2. Active Screening for all employees and visitors to the funeral home is mandatory. 3. Masks/face coverings are mandatory in the funeral home; it protects the family, other guests, and staff. Please consider not risking your own health further with the exposure to large numbers of people at the funeral home if your health is compromised and you are unable to wear a mask, or have personal reasons to not wear a mask; you will not be allowed to enter the funeral home. 4. Unless you live in the same household, a distance of six feet /two meters must be maintained and please refrain from close personal contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing. Offer your condolences from a distance. We must be contact free. 5. Please sanitize/wash your hands when entering and leaving the funeral home. 6. Food and/or beverages are not permitted in the funeral home. The Directive clearly states that we are to LIMIT EXPOSURE at all times. This means: A maximum total of 50 people are permitted into the funeral home, 20 to a Mausoleum and 30 to a Cemetery. This includes your immediate family members, pallbearers, musicians, and clergy. (Funeral Home Staff is not included) HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON ARE CURRENTLY IN THE RED ZONE FOR AT LEAST 28 DAYS AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2020 **Visitation/or Service options dependent upon current Colour Zone designation determined by the Provincial Government** 7. Private Funeral Services (Date/Time not published) in the funeral home chapel and/or in a church are by invitation only with a maximum total of 50 people. 8. Private Visitation (Date/Times not published): By Invitation only and maximum total of 50 people are pre-registered (List of everyone’s full name and telephone number) and invited to attend the visitation during a specified time. There will be a minimum of 15 minutes for cleaning and disinfection between groups of guests. This guest list must be supplied by the family to the funeral home the day before the visitation. Guests must remain in their vehicles until their visitation time and a staff member comes out to compare guests to the list provided by the family.

This post will be updated as we learn more from the government about COVID-19

As we move into cooler weather, many of us start to think about traveling to countries with warmer climates. Travelling takes a lot of planning and organization, but what happens if a tragedy occurs while you’re away? Returning a loved one who has died is not something we generally prepare for when going on vacation. However, there are many details that need to be worked out for repatriation of a deceased person, such as acting quickly to return a loved one to Canada, answering multitudes of questions, making funeral or cemetery arrangements, and dealing with documentation form another country. It can all be very overwhelming for someone, but the strain can be alleviated by doing some planning ahead. The Guaranteed Travel Assurance Plan (GTAP) is an additional feature offered by Bay Gardens. Coupled with a preneed funeral policy, this plan provides peace of mind, knowing that many issues will be taken care of if death occurs while travelling. Whether travelling out of country, or to a different city, the travel plan is designed to facilitate the costs and details of returning a deceased person to their home. The GTAP provides you with peace of mind when you travel, the coverage includes: Travel protection plans for when you travel 100km or more away from home. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! If death should occur while you are travelling out of town or out of the country, returning the deceased back home can be very expensive and complicated. GTAP takes away the stress and handles all the necessary details to ensure the deceased is returned to their home safely. GTAP was designed to do more than cover the expenses. GTAP does all the work that would be left to an unprepared and grieving family. Additionally, the travel plan will cover: Travel companion expense to accompany deceased home. Expense for one next-of-kin to travel to place of death and accompany deceased home when travelling alone. Pays for the cost to bring pets home safely Provides bereavement support for surviving family members If the Guaranteed Travel Assurance Plan sounds like something you’d be interested in or would like more information, contact Lisa Palmer, our pre-planning specialist at (905) 574-0405 with any questions at no obligation to you.

Funerals are hard on your emotions and knowing the proper way to act can be challenging and confusing. Questions such as what to wear, where to sit and how long to stay can seem overpowering, especially if you’re grieving. It is important to remember that as an attendee to a funeral you’re there to offer support to those grieving. Knowing the guidelines around funerals can help you feel more at ease at the service. Here’s a quick overview of funeral etiquette: Should I Attend? It is an opportunity for you to remember pay your respects and show your support. If you feel your presence would make the family uncomfortable or if it’s a private event, then do not attend the funeral. What Do I Wear to a Funeral? Wearing black is not a requirement for all funerals you should pick clothing that is respectful. It’s appropriate to wear clothing you might wear to a job interview. Where Do I Sit at a Funeral? Typically, the first few rows are saved for family and close friends of the deceased. Seating anywhere after the first few rows, but if coming late sit in the back as not to disturb the service. What Should I Say at a Funeral? A simple “I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family” is enough to express your sympathies. When Should I Arrive? It’s good to arrive 10-15 minutes early to visit for a few moments with other guests before the service. Should I Bring a Gift? A bouquet or sympathy flowers or donation to the charity of the family’s choice are valuable way to express your condolences to the family Should I Sign the Register Book? Be sure to sign your full name and relationship, family will keep the register book as a memento. Do I Keep in Touch? A phone call or note after the funeral lets the family know you care. The months after a death are when friends and family need the support. Should I Bring a Cellphone? Ideally leave your phone in your car. A phone ringing is inappropriate, but if you must bring your phone make sure to have ringer and notifications off. Should I drink? Do not overindulge. If food and drinks are being served be sure to not over do it. You do not want to disturb the family.