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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
Information
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
End-of-Life Care
Funeral Planning
Planning your funeral in advance can help ensure your wishes are followed and ease stress for your loved ones.
Key Decisions to Consider
One of the first choices is whether you want burial or cremation. Your decision may be shaped by personal beliefs, family traditions, or religion. You may also want to think about:
- What kind of service you would like: a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life
- Where it should be held: a place of worship, funeral home, or park
- Any music, readings, poems, or personal touches you would like included
- Whether you want a viewing or wake
- Your preferences for a casket or urn, headstone, and obituary
- What photos or keepsakes you would like displayed
- Where your body or ashes should be placed
You can simply write down your wishes and store them with your legal documents, or you can work with a funeral home to pre-plan the details.
Working with a Funeral Home
Funeral directors can help with:
- Paperwork, such as registering a death or obtaining a death certificate
- Cultural or religious customs and traditions
- Coordinating with cemeteries, florists, and publications
- Managing the order of service and logistics
If you choose to prepay for services, make sure to ask:
- What is included in the package
- What extra costs your family might have to cover later
- If the plan is flexible should your wishes change
- Whether there are cancellation or transfer fees
Storing and Sharing Your Plans
Once your funeral plans are made:
- Keep them with your will and power of attorney
- Include any receipts or contracts if you have pre-planned services
- Let your executor or a trusted loved one know where to find everything
Taking these steps now may feel emotional, but it can bring peace of mind and make things easier for your family later.
For more information, visit:
» Related reading from Our Voices Blog:
- References
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Advance Care Planning Canada. (2024). Advance care planning. https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. (n.d.). Metastatic breast cancer handbook: A guide for individuals living with stage IV breast cancer. https://cbcn.ca/web/default/files/public/Reports/E%20-%20mBC%20Handbook.pdf
Canadian Consumer Handbook. (2025). Funerals. https://www.consumerhandbook.ca/en/topics/products-and-services/funerals/
Canadian Virtual Hospice. (2023). Planning a funeral. https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Decisions/Planning+a+Funeral.aspx
Dignity Funerals. (n.d.). Funeral music. https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/arranging-a-funeral/planning-a-funeral/funeral-music/
Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa. (2018). Funeral planning guide. https://www.fco-cfo.coop/media/FuneralPlanningGuide-2018.pdf
Natural Endings. (n.d.). Funeral poetry. https://naturalendings.co.uk/helpful-resources/funeral-poetry/
Stylist. (2020). Farewell poetry and readings to remember loved ones by. https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/funeral-readings-literature-poetry-bereavement-poems-roald-dahl-childrens-winnie-the-pooh-charlottes-web-shakespeare-jane-austen/128900
The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:
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CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.
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