Memorial Society of British Columbia

ATTENTION MEMBERS:

August 4, 2010 All prices offered to MSBC members by its Funeral Providers have been revised to include the applicable HST/GST taxes which became effective July 1, 2010 within British Columbia. HST applies to all goods and services except the fee for the provincial Death Certificate.

Joining the Society is your first step towards enjoying the lower cost funeral services offered to MSBC members by its Funeral Providers. But some members are still missing out on these savings. Why? Because at the time of death, the Funeral Provider may not realize that you are a member of the Society.

The Society respects your privacy and, for that reason, MSBC does not give your personal information to our Funeral Providers. Furthermore, the Providers do not have access to the Society's membership list. Hence, the person(s) responsible for you at your death must inform the Funeral Provider that you are a member of the Society and therefore eligible for the Society's pricing for goods and services.

To ensure that your funeral costs are kept low at the time of death, you must inform your family members and/or your executor before you die that you are a member of MSBC and impress upon them that they must tell the Funeral Provider that you are an MSBC member.

NEWS:

May 5, 2010 President John Groom announced his resignation to the Memorial Society. The Board of Directors would like to thank John for his service and support and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

May 5, 2010 The Board of Directors wishes to announce that long time Board members Barbara Beach and Robert Kennedy have been appointed as interim Co-Presidents until the next annual general meeting. The Board and Staff look forward to working with them.

Celebrate over 50 years of service!

This is your Society
show your appreciation and support
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be part of a great cause
let us know via e-mail about your efforts
help us make a difference
let's work together
you joined because you believed... share it with others!

The large crowd at the funeral of Sir James Douglas August 6, 1877 in Victoria. On the left is the Episcopal Church of Our Lord (current address 626 Blanchard Street). On top of the hill is Christ Church Anglican Cathedral which is across the street from the current Cathedral and on which the current law courts are situated.

"Like most families that suffer the loss of a loved one, the funeral expenses are an issue. That said, we had stumbled upon this information piece through a friend. It makes the burden so much easier to bear knowing that there is a plan that is affordable and one has a choice of which place they can use or afford. Funerals can be simple, dignified without costing a fortune. My family now is able to concentrate on our tragic loss of husband and father without the added burden of funeral costs.

"What a great service you provide and I will certainly be passing the information on to my friends and family."

"Thank you for your time and consideration."

"The attached cheque represents a small donation with sincere appreciation for the very excellent service I received from your telephone receptionist.

"Thank you!"

Heather M.
Surrey, B.C.

"Thank you for your assistance earlier this week regarding membership for my father...!"

Nancy S.
Burnaby, B.C.

When you die, those you leave behind will be most vulnerable. They may have to make over 100 decisions about your funeral. Will they know what to do? Do you want to lighten their burden? If yes, then join the Memorial Society of British Columbia.

For 50 years the Memorial Society of B.C. has helped its members plan funerals that are simple, dignified and affordable. Membership gives you peace of mind, assurance that your final wishes will be fulfilled, and reduced stress for your family at time of need. Effective September 2, 2006, Members will enjoy more protection, better prices and service with new, Canadian, familiy owned and operated designated funeral homes.

Planning your funeral is a way to say, "Farewell". It could be your most memorable gift to those you love.

As a member of the Memorial Society of British Columbia ^®, you can plan your farewell in the confidence that you have the largest consumer group in B.C. protecting your interests -- and the interests of your loved ones when it's time to make funeral arrangements. For 50 years, the Memorial Society has advocated on behalf of people like you for simplicity, dignity, and affordability in funeral services. Simply put, you have someone on your side.

Why join the Memorial Society?

protect you from predatory marketing and sales practices
preferred pricing on funeral services available only to Society members through our contracted funeral services providers
support for planning and recording your wishes
reduced family stress at the time of death

As a member of the Memorial Society, you will share these goals with over 200,000 other members:

to assist you in planning arrangements for your funeral;
to assist and support your loved ones while making funeral arrangements;
to promote environmentally sound arrangements for disposal of remains;
to ensure the availability of reasonably priced funeral arrangements through written contracts with selected funeral services providers;
to monitor the practices and performance of funeral service providers so you don't buy more than you want or need;
to monitor and encourage government programs;
to engage in educational programs;
to promote the continuance of a dynamic and responsible Memorial Society.

Other advantages offered to members of the Memorial Society can be found in the brief summary of
Membership Benefits.

How all British Columbians benefit:

Your support for the Memorial Society of B.C. ensures that access to simple, dignified, reasonably priced funeral options continues to be available to all British Columbians, as they have been since 1956. The Memorial Society of B.C. performs a significant role as a consumer advocate. Thanks to your support of the Memorial Society, 'Memorial Society Pricing' is becoming more common.

What do I have to pay?

$40 individual lifetime membership, or
$50 a sustaining membership, which includes a donation to the Society
$35 Records (administration) Fee is collected by the Funeral Provider on behalf of the Memorial Society at time of death.

To join the Memorial Society, click on the Join button on the left menu.

Members: call us to get your new membership card and update your address: 1-888-816-5902 or e-mail us: mail@memsoc.org. This is the number that should be on your membership card: 1-888-816-5902, and no other.