Cérémonie funéraire
Sadly, losing a loved one is an inevitable part of life. When this happens, the funeral ceremony can allow friends and family to gather to pay the deceased their respects. This ceremony can take many shapes, and truly reflect the love you feel for the deceased, along with the respect of their own values and traditions.
With Yves Légaré, we specialize in providing the deceased and their loved ones with a funeral service that is exactly in accordance with the deceased’s last wishes. We offer advantageous packages and guide you through the different options if needed. Each and every detail is taken into consideration, so that you can enjoy greater peace of mind, which is priceless.
Burial or Cremation - Which to choose?
After a loved one has passed, it is possible to opt for a burial or a cremation. Although this preference might have been voiced by your loved one prior to their passing, this decision might be left to those who have been left behind. Even if this might appear to be an easy decision to make, the differences and advantages for both might not always be clear. We can help you see more clearly.
A Burial
On the one hand, a burial is generally preferred by most cultures and most often goes in accordance with religious beliefs. A burial, also called inhumation, consists of placing the body of the deceased underground, with a tombstone above.
Before the burial, the cemetery must be contacted in order to choose a burial plot and the tombstone. Fees for the purchase of a casket, the burial plot and the tombstone must also be paid.
Although this option is more expensive, some people find that the grieving process is made easier with a burial, and often love to a have place where they can visit the person they have lost.
Before a viewing, a body is embalmed in order to offer a last peaceful image of the deceased to their loved ones. Take note that it is also possible to proceed to embalming and a viewing of the deceased before having their body cremated.
Cremation
Cremation, sometimes referred to as “incineration”, consists of placing the body in a box prior to inserting it in a cremation furnace at temperatures ranging between 1,000 and 1,200 degrees Celsius. The ashes are then gathered and placed in one or several urns.
The urn can then be buried –mush as you would with a casket-, kept in someone’s home, placed in a columbarium or have the ashes dispersed.
However, funeral arrangements are often simplified in this case, especially given that plot options are becoming increasingly limited, and fees are lower as well.
How to Plan for a Ceremony
How to organise a funeral ceremony? A funeral ceremony can be secular or religious, respect your traditions or be original. No matter what your wishes are, you will have to plan for:
- The reception
- Collecting information
- The purchase of flower, urn(s), casket, etc.
- Organizing the ceremony
Losing a loved one also requires administrative processes related to succession. Yves Légaré takes care of everything and guides you every step of the way, from legal documents to the ceremony itself.
We will help you plan for every detail, so that you can have a ceremony that respects your loved one’s wishes and provides you with peace of mind. From the caterer, the flowers, to the printing of bookmarks and any other commemorative objects or keepsakes, we have everything you need. Customize the ceremony from the comfort of your own home by taking a look at our exclusive keepsakes.
Why place your trust in us?
No matter the type of funeral you wish to organise, our family business has over 90 years of experience and will treat all of your requests with the utmost respect. Regardless of if you want a secular or religious funeral, or one that respects your cultural traditions, we offer great flexibility and customized guidance.
Finally, we also provide you with advantageous packages that can cater to your needs, allowing you to organize a funeral in accordance to your loved one’s last wishes.
Why a ceremony matters
A funeral ceremony is more than a protocol. It is a moment to say goodbye, to share the memory of the deceased with those around you, and to transform grief into a collective tribute.
Studies in grief psychology show that a majority of families who organize a memorial service find it easier to process their loss than those who skip this step. Why? Because ritual gives structure to emotion. It transforms absence into symbolic presence, even if only for an hour.
Whether you prefer Catholic rites, a secular ceremony, or a combination of both, what matters most is creating a space where your loved ones feel supported. With us, there is no judgment, only attentive listening and solutions adapted to your reality.
What funeral personalization options are available?
Every life is unique. Your funeral arrangements should reflect the personality of the loved one who has passed away, not a standardized model.
Music and atmosphere
You may play several musical pieces during the ceremony, from classical to rock, according to the deceased’s tastes. Some families even add a video screen to display photos and memory videos on a loop during the welcome period.
Choice of location
Our largest funeral homes can comfortably seat 150 people, while our venues for more intimate gatherings can accommodate up to 60 people. You prefer to hold the memorial service outdoors, in a park or community hall? We can coordinate the logistics (portable sound system, condolence book, urn or coffin).
Burial or cremation
Both options are available. For cremation, 68 percent of Quebecers now choose this option, according to data from the Corporation des thanatologues. We explain timelines (generally 24 to 48 hours after the ceremony) and exact costs, with no hidden fees.
Everything we can help you with
Planning a funeral involves around twenty administrative and logistical tasks that accumulate at the worst possible time. Here is exactly what our basic service includes, with no hidden fees.
Complete administrative support
We take care of all government formalities: death certificate, cremation or burial permits, forms for the Quebec Pension Plan death benefit (up to $2,500), and mandatory registrations with the civil status registry.
Logistics and transportation of the deceased
Our team handles the transfer from the place of death (home, hospital, long-term care facility) to our funeral home, regardless of the time. Service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For long-distance transfers, for example a death occurring in Abitibi while the family lives in Montreal, we coordinate the complete repatriation, including the specialized vehicle and interprovincial authorizations if required.
Use of facilities
Access to our lounges for visitation, viewing, and the funeral ceremony. Our main lounge comfortably seats 150 people, while our more intimate spaces are suitable for gatherings of 40 to 60 loved ones. Each room includes a professional audio system, a projection screen for photos and videos, a catering kitchen, and free parking with 80 spaces at the main site.
Professional fees
A certified funeral director is assigned to you from the very first contact. They coordinate every step, from the initial meeting (average duration: 90 minutes) to the day of the ceremony. Unlike some companies that bill these fees separately, they are included in our basic package. You also benefit from the support of our entire administrative team for phone follow-ups, visitor reception, and management of the condolence register.
Coordination of services
We manage the usual external providers for you: florist, caterer, musician, religious or secular officiant, newspaper for the obituary notice, and headstone provider if required. You approve the choices; we place the orders, confirm arrival times, and handle logistical details. The result: a single point of contact instead of juggling a dozen phone numbers.
Personalized ceremony
No imposed format. You choose the duration, the flow (music, tributes, text readings, video projection), and the type of rite (Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, secular, or mixed). We have already coordinated secular ceremonies with biodegradable balloon releases, traditional Quebec funeral rites with prayer vigils, and even a themed celebration of life centered around the deceased’s passion for motorcycles.
Your advisor suggests concrete ideas based on more than 1,200 services organized each year, but the final decision is always yours.
Inspiration for a unique memorial ceremony
Looking for ideas to make the tribute memorable? Here is what other families have created with our team.
Interactive memory table: One family set up 40 framed photos on a long table, with cards inviting visitors to write a memory note under each photo. Result: 87 messages collected, later compiled into an album given to the deceased’s children.
Monarch butterfly release: For an outdoor ceremony in July, we coordinated the release of 50 butterflies at the end of the eulogy. Cost: approximately $200. Emotional impact: immense.
Live streaming: Do your loved ones live in Europe or cannot travel? We film the celebration of life in HD and share a private link.
Personalized casket: A fishing enthusiast received a casket decorated with hand-painted trout motifs. A gardening enthusiast chose a woven wicker model, biodegradable.
Practical advice
• Plan extra chairs: For a 100-seat lounge, set up 110 chairs. There are always more people than expected.
• Test the microphone: Check the audio system 30 minutes before the ceremony. Feedback during a tribute breaks the atmosphere.
• Prepare a paper AND digital register: Seniors prefer signing a physical book; younger guests send condolences by email. Offer both.
• Keep water and tissues within reach: Place water bottles and boxes of tissues on side tables. People forget to hydrate when they are crying.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How long does a typical funeral ceremony last?
Between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the number of speakers. A viewing can last 3 to 4 hours with reception periods.
Can a funeral be organized without being religious?
Absolutely. A secular ceremony focuses on the life lived, values passed on, and shared memories, without religious references. Approximately 40 percent of our services are secular.
What are the timelines for planning a funeral?
On average, 3 to 5 days between the death and the ceremony, allowing time to notify distant relatives and reserve the location. In urgent cases, we can organize a service within 48 hours.
Do you offer pre-arranged packages?
Yes. You can plan your funeral services in advance, lock in current prices, and spare your family the stress of decisions. Financing available over 12, 24, or 36 months with no interest.
Do you cover the entire province?
We have funeral homes in Montreal, on the South Shore, in Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, and Sherbrooke. For remote regions, we work with trusted partners and oversee the coordination.
Does government assistance cover all costs?
The $2,500 Quebec Pension Plan benefit helps, but rarely covers everything. A complete service (including casket, lounge, transportation, burial) typically ranges between $5,000 and $8,000. We explain the differences in detail during the estimate.
Human support
Organizing a funeral ceremony should never feel like navigating an administrative maze. You deserve clarity, transparency, and above all, compassion. Our mission is simple: transform this difficult passage into a dignified tribute that honors your loved one’s memory while respecting your budget and beliefs.
Whether you need an intimate gathering of 20 people or a gathering of 200 guests, we adapt every detail to your reality. Because saying goodbye is also about giving yourself permission to continue living.
Speak with an advisor 24/7
Call us at 514-595-1500 or contact us online. A member of our team will be there to listen, day and night. Take care of yourself. We will take care of the rest.