Every now and then, I check the HISA chart and open an account with whoever the leader is, then move my spare money over to them. Anybody else do this? | Page 2 | General comparisons | Discussion forum

The one we dealt with is called AfterCare. We chose it because it was recommended by a clergyperson we know, it was on a list provided by the Palliative Care Unit at the hospital, and it was significantly less expensive than competitors. It was true to its advertising in terms of price and services offered. I would not hesitate to use it again. The estate came out ahead after receiving the death benefit from CPP, even including the fee to open the plot (previously purchased) at the rural family cemetery, but the CPP is taxable. If you want to have some sort of memorial event, you can hold that wherever and whenever you like, although AfterCare does offer this if you want. It was an eye opener compared to other deaths I'd been involved with, where the conventional funerals cost 10K and up and often involved sales pressure. Each to their own.

Simple Alternative is owned by Mount Peasant Group, which is a big cemetery company in Toronto area. Maybe that's why they charge more, because that name is well known. Personally, I'd rather pay less and, if needed, buy the extra death certificates at $5 each, as AfterCare provided everything we needed - and we didn't need any extra certificates as the estate was very simple - one for the bank, one for the government, one to apply for CPP survivor pension and one for Canadian Tire MC. Probate not required as everything was jointly owned with spouse and no complicating factors. We still had to pay for the lawyer though!

Practices and prices may have changed since my involvement.

However, i didn't know that the more expensive places do include as many certificates as you may need at no additional cost.

I hope those of you who found the POA and executor jobs a thankless task were rewarded as beneficiaries of the deceased, but sometimes there is little or nothing left and you still have to do the paper work!