If the death is sudden and unexpected, call 911 and the appropriate emergency response will be dispatched including the police and medical examiner. If the death is expected and under the care of “Home Care”, call the funeral home at 403-235-3602.

Absolutely, if you need immediate support, we're here for you. We answer calls right away and usually arrive within an hour in the Calgary area.

Our hearts and doors are open 24/7. Call us at 403-235-3602, and we'll be there within the hour, if needed. Take the time you need with your loved one; we'll arrive when you're ready.

First, local emergency services will assist you. After that, we can step in. Whether you're across Canada or around the globe, call us, and we'll coordinate bringing your loved one back home.

A funeral is a meaningful gathering where family and friends come together to honor the life and passing of a loved one. It's a way to openly express grief and love, helping those left behind to begin the healing process.

Similar to a funeral, a memorial service honors a life well-lived but may not have the physical presence of the departed, often featuring an urn instead.

This can be either a funeral or a memorial service, but the focus is more on cherishing the wonderful memories and the life of the person who has passed.

A private service is a more intimate gathering by invitation only, often attended by immediate family and close friends.

Holding some form of service provides a space for collective mourning and support, helping everyone begin their emotional healing journey. It's a crucial step that offers numerous emotional and psychological benefits.

That’s up to you and your family’s wishes. A service can be held in a place of worship, funeral home, or another meaningful location. We're here to help you navigate through these decisions.

Absolutely. We encourage making the service uniquely meaningful. Our team can help you include special hobbies, interests, or any special request you may have to celebrate your loved one's unique life journey.

Many find solace and closure in viewing their loved one, and it's a key step in many cultural and religious practices. It helps in coming to terms with the reality of the loss.

We’re here to guide you through this difficult journey. From paperwork to service planning, we're your helping hands and a shoulder to lean on.

Embalming preserves and sanitizes the body, making it possible for loved ones to pay their last respects through a viewing, if they wish.

No, but we recommend it for viewings. Specific situations and laws may require it, especially for international transport.

It's not required but can serve as a heartfelt tribute and public notice for those not on social media.

Absolutely, many find peace in knowing everything is taken care of, relieving their family of future stress. We can help you pre-plan every detail.

Flowers and cards are traditional, but a heartfelt condolence, charitable donation, or a thoughtful visit are all meaningful gestures.

A simple "I've been thinking about you" can be comforting. The setting will dictate how much more can or should be said.

Keep reaching out. Grief doesn't follow a schedule. Your ongoing support can be a precious gift during the months to come.

If they're prepared for what to expect, attending a service can be an important experience for children, teaching them about love, loss, and how to cope.

Yes, organ donation and autopsies do not preclude a viewing. Donating the entire body to medical science, however, will.

Funerals can cost as little as $2500 a direct disposition. (Direct disposition includes registering the death, a basic cremation container, transporting the deceased to our crematorium and the cremation fee). For an adult, full-service funeral, consumers choose to spend an average of $8,500. This includes a professional service, transfer-of remains, embalming, other preparation, hosting a viewing, hosting a ceremony, stationary, hearse, limousine, and casket. With the added costs of cemetery space, obituaries, receptions and other incidental funeral expenses, it is not uncommon for funerals to cost more than $10,000. You can find our Prices and Information guide here.

Indeed, like most things, funeral expenses have followed the trends set by the consumer price index.

Funerals are much like other significant life events, such as weddings or milestone celebrations, in that the costs depend on personal choices and family budget. Keep in mind, we're a 24-hour service, offering various facilities and coordinating numerous details in a short time. Despite public perception, we operate with only a modest profit margin.

We offer a diverse selection of over 40 caskets, featuring various materials and finishes. Whether you prefer wood, metal, or even precious materials, we have options to meet your tastes and budget. You can personalize caskets to honor your loved one in a meaningful way. For a visual guide, you can find photos of our caskets here.

Casket prices fluctuate based on various factors like material, finish, and interior lining. For specific pricing, please refer to page 8 of our Price and Information Guide.

While we always strive for excellence, if an issue arises, we recommend addressing it directly with us. If the problem remains unresolved, you can contact the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board at the following:

• Address: 11810 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 0X5
• Phone: 780-452-6130 or Toll-free: 1-800-563-4652 (in Alberta only)
• Fax: 780-452-6085
• Email: office@afsrb.ab.ca

In Alberta, if an individual doesn't have family, the Public Trustee’s Office takes responsibility for burial or cremation costs, usually through the estate of the deceased or Alberta Human Services.

Pierson’s Funeral Service has a history of helping those who are financially disadvantaged and will continue to assist those with no financial means. Our funeral directors can review financial sources such as the Last Post Fund, Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit, Alberta Seniors Death Benefit, Insurance Funds, Victim’s Assistance and others. If none of these sources are available, we assist families with applications to Alberta Human Services, often known as Social Services. When approved, AHS offers a simple dignified service with either burial or cremation.

Cremation is a process where the body is reduced to bone fragments through intense heat. This typically takes between 2-4 hours in a specialized furnace called a cremation chamber or retort. The remaining material, referred to as "cremated remains," is then processed into a finer substance.

Absolutely. Witnessing the cremation is a choice open to any family. This process takes place at our sister organization, Country Hills Crematorium in Calgary. The witness may include watching the deceased being gently placed into the cremation chamber, the closing of the chamber door, and the start of the cremation process. The full process takes several hours, so families generally don't wait for its completion.

Yes, we take great pride in owning and operating Foothills Crematorium. We also hold ownership in Country Hills Crematorium. You can trust that your loved one will always be in our caring hands.

Embalming is not a requirement for cremation. However, if you opt for a viewing or an open-casket funeral, embalming may be necessary.

Yes, you can. Many families opt for this as a temporary measure until a more permanent resting place is selected.

There are various respectful options for your loved one's cremated remains. They can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a niche within a columbarium, or even included in a scattering garden. You can also choose to keep the remains at home or scatter them at a location special to the deceased. Always check local guidelines for scattering remains and seek permission if it's private property. We're here to guide you through these choices.

Not at all. Cremation is an alternative method for the body's final disposition, either before or after a funeral service. A traditional funeral followed by cremation is entirely possible, as is a memorial service post-cremation. We're here to assist you in making the best decision for you and your family.

Absolutely! Cremation doesn't limit your options to honour your loved one. Whether you opt for a visitation followed by a funeral service and then cremation, or a memorial service after the cremation, we are more than happy to assist in planning a meaningful service.

No, you don't have to purchase a casket. However, we do require a rigid, combustible container for the cremation process. We offer affordable cremation containers for this specific purpose.

Yes, we offer ceremonial caskets, commonly referred to as rental caskets, suitable for viewings and funeral services. A combustible container is still needed for the cremation chamber.

Yes, more Canadians are opting for cremation, with the rate projected to hit 77.6% by 2024 as reported by the Funeral Service Association of Canada.

Your peace of mind matters to us. You are welcome to witness the cremation if you wish. For those who prefer not to, know that we have stringent identification protocols. From the moment your loved one is in our care, a unique ID metal disk accompanies them through the entire cremation process, ensuring you receive the correct cremated remains.