Frequently asked questions

A funeral pre-arrangement is the process by which you plan — and optionally prepay — your own funeral while still alive. You choose the type of ceremony, the disposition method (cremation, burial, ecological option), the services included, and your personal preferences. These decisions are recorded in a contract governed by Quebec law. At the time of your death, your loved ones no longer need to make these difficult decisions while in emotional shock.

No. Access to our platform, downloadable guides, quiz, and advisors is completely free for you. Our business model is based on referral fees paid by our funeral partners — only if you choose to work with them. You never pay more by going through our network.

There is no minimum age or ideal age. In practice, most people who plan their pre-arrangements are between 55 and 75 — but people of all ages do it, particularly after a serious medical diagnosis, when drafting a will, or simply because they want to protect their loved ones. It is never too early to start gathering information.

Many people feel this hesitation at first — and that is entirely understandable. But planning your pre-arrangements is one of the most considerate things you can do for your family. It spares them from having to make complex decisions within 48 hours of a death, while in the shock of grief. The vast majority of our clients describe this process as liberating, not anxiety-inducing.

We are an independent educational platform. We earn revenue through referral fees paid by our licensed funeral partners when you choose to work with them — and only then. This model allows us to offer you a completely free service while remaining financially independent. We have no sales quotas, no preference for one partner over another, and we decline partnerships with establishments whose practices do not meet our standards.

The OPC — Office de la protection du consommateur — is the Quebec government body that regulates and supervises funeral pre-arrangement contracts. It ensures that funeral homes comply with the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures (RLRQ, c. A-23.001). All funeral partners in our network are duly licensed by the OPC.

When you prepay your funeral, Quebec law requires that your funds be placed in a trust account — a separate account from the funeral home's assets, managed by an independent trustee. These funds cannot be used by the funeral home for its day-to-day operations. In the event of the establishment's bankruptcy or closure, your funds remain protected.

This is precisely why the trust fund exists. Under Quebec law, the amounts you have paid are kept separate from the funeral home's assets. If it were to cease operations, your funds are recoverable and your wishes can be transferred to another licensed establishment. The OPC oversees this protection mechanism.

Yes. Quebec law grants you the right to cancel your pre-arrangement contract at any time. The refund terms vary depending on the circumstances (time since signing, amount paid, applicable administrative fees), but your trust funds must be refunded to you, less the fees stipulated in the contract. Your advisor can explain the specific details of your contract.

In most cases, yes. If you move within Quebec, your contract can generally be transferred to another licensed funeral establishment in our network. If you move outside Quebec or abroad, the terms vary depending on your contract and your destination province or country. We recommend discussing this with your advisor as soon as you are considering a move.

From first contact to signing a contract, the process typically takes between 1 and 3 weeks — depending on your availability and how much time you want to spend reflecting. The initial consultation with an advisor takes about 45 to 60 minutes. The final signing with the funeral partner also takes about an hour. There is no rush: you can proceed at your own pace.

No, it is not required. The initial consultation with an Elysium advisor can be done entirely remotely — by phone or video conference. If you wish to meet the funeral partner for the contract signing, an in-person meeting is possible and recommended. Some clients also prefer to see the ceremony rooms and casket or urn options in person before making their final decision.

This choice depends on your personal values, religious or cultural beliefs, and budget. Cremation is generally less expensive and offers more flexibility for the disposition of ashes (keeping at home, scattering, interring in a columbarium). Burial is often preferred for religious, family, or traditional reasons. There are also ecological options such as aquamation or natural organic reduction (availability varies in Quebec). Our free guide details the advantages and considerations of each option.

Yes, in most cases. Minor changes (music, readings, contact person) can usually be made at no charge. More significant changes — such as changing the type of disposition or the funeral home — may result in price adjustments or administrative fees. Your advisor will guide you based on the specific terms of your contract.

We recommend speaking directly with your loved ones — ideally before signing, to include them in the reflection. A copy of your contract can be given to the trusted person of your choice: spouse, adult child, notary, or family doctor. You can also mention the existence of your contract in your will or protection mandate. Elysium can provide you with a summary sheet to share with your loved ones.

Costs vary considerably depending on the type of service chosen. In 2026, a simple cremation (without ceremony) costs between $1,500 and $3,500. A cremation with full ceremony: between $4,000 and $8,000. A full burial: between $8,000 and $18,000 depending on the region, the casket, and the cemetery plot. Our free guide contains a detailed price grid with current ranges by Quebec region.

Several factors explain these variations: the region (Montreal, Quebec City, rural areas), the type of services included in the package, the quality of the casket or urn, ceremony room fees, celebrant honoraria, and the establishment's reputation or positioning. Prices are not always clearly disclosed — which is one of the reasons we help our users compare offers.

Yes, this is one of the main advantages of a guaranteed pre-arrangement contract. When you prepay your funeral at today's rates, the funeral home commits to providing the agreed services regardless of price increases between now and your death. Even if costs rise 30% in 10 or 20 years, your contract is honoured at the agreed price. This is a concrete protection against inflation in the funeral sector.

Quebec law requires that all fees be clearly detailed in the contract before signing. Our role is precisely to help you understand every line of the contract before you sign it. Be aware, however, of ancillary fees that may be added: long-distance body transportation, cemetery fees not included in the funeral package, applicable taxes. Your advisor will help you identify all potential costs.

Not necessarily. Life insurance can cover funeral costs, but it has two major drawbacks: payout delays (several weeks or even months after death) and no price guarantee. Your family will need to advance costs while waiting for the estate to settle. A prepaid funeral pre-arrangement contract solves this problem — the services are paid in advance and your wishes are documented. Some people combine both approaches.

Generally speaking, yes. A simple cremation without a ceremony can cost between $1,500 and $3,500, while a full burial can exceed $15,000 with a cemetery plot. That said, a cremation with a full ceremony can approach the costs of a burial, depending on the services chosen. The cost of the urn, ceremony hall, and associated services can add up quickly.

Yes, it is legal in Quebec. Ashes (cremation residues) can be kept at home in an urn, provided this wish is expressed in the contract or during post-death arrangements. They can also be scattered in a meaningful location (with certain restrictions depending on the place), interred in a cemetery, or placed in a columbarium. Ashes cannot be divided and shipped abroad without specific authorization.

Scattering of ashes is permitted in Quebec, but with certain guidelines. It is allowed in natural settings (forests, lakes, the sea) at a reasonable distance from inhabited areas. It is generally prohibited in federal national parks without a permit, in cemeteries (except in areas designed for this purpose), and on private property without authorization. The family receives the ashes in a sealed urn or container, then organizes the scattering ceremony at their discretion.

Ecological cremation — also called aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis — is an alternative to flame cremation. The body is placed in a solution of water and potassium at high temperature and pressure, which dissolves the soft tissues and leaves the bones, which are then reduced to powder. This process uses about 90% less energy than traditional cremation and produces no carbon dioxide. Aquamation is available at some Quebec establishments. Natural organic reduction (human composting) is not yet legal in Quebec as of 2026.

Yes, it is possible but involves a body repatriation process subject to specific regulations, both on the Quebec side and in the destination country. Health authorizations, legal documents, and the involvement of a licensed funeral home in both countries are generally required. Costs can be significant (air transport, embalming, documents). If this is your wish, it is essential to document it clearly in your pre-arrangement.

Repatriation involves transporting the body of a deceased person from one place to another, often from a foreign country to Quebec (or vice versa). This requires a recognized death certificate, a burial permit (or its local equivalent), embalming or an airtight casket depending on the destination country's requirements, and coordination between a local funeral home and a licensed carrier. Your Elysium advisor can refer you to partners specializing in international repatriation.

In Quebec, cemetery plots are generally sold in perpetuity — that is, for an indefinite, unlimited duration. This differs from many European countries where plots are leased for a period of 20 to 30 years. The price of a cemetery plot in Quebec varies considerably depending on the region and type of cemetery (Catholic, municipal, multi-denominational): from $1,500 to $15,000 or more for certain locations in large urban cemeteries.

All our funeral partners must meet strict criteria: be duly licensed by the OPC, display transparent pricing, practise no high-pressure sales tactics, and have an established reputation in their community. We conduct a preliminary check of each establishment before integrating it into our network, and we regularly gather feedback from our users to maintain the quality of our recommendations.

In the event of closure or change of ownership, your contract and trust funds remain protected by law. In practice, pre-arrangement contracts are generally transferred to the new operator or a nearby licensed establishment. The OPC supervises these transfers. Elysium remains your point of contact — we will alert you if one of our partners experiences a change in situation and will help you find an alternative if necessary.

No. Mesfunerailles.ca is an independent platform. We are not owned by a funeral home or funeral chain. Our partners include both independent family-run funeral homes and establishments that are part of regional groups, selected on the basis of their practices and compliance with our standards — not on the basis of exclusive agreements.