As a funeral director, I often share that there are many benefits to pre-arranging, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss planning ahead in an open and comfortable way.
While no one enjoys thinking about their own passing, taking a few simple steps now can make things much easier for your children, family, or executor later. It’s important to take time to go through a discovery stage—learn as much as you can, ask questions, and decide if it feels right for you.
We offer an appointment at no cost to speak with a licensed funeral director. You can reach us by phone at 519-494-5340, by email at care@tvcs.ca or, if you prefer to begin online, click Arrange Online.
At Thames Valley Cremation Services Inc., we believe in providing clear information without pressure or obligation. Once you decide to go through the discovery stage, there are some steps: you can pre-plan for yourself or make arrangements for someone you love. We offer both direct cremation and direct burial services. If you require additional services such as embalming or church services, you will need to contact a funeral home.
Information We’ll Need
To complete a pre-arrangement, we gather the same information that will later be required for legal documents, such as registering the death. This includes your name, address, date and place of birth, occupation, marital status, and next of kin. We also record family details, such as your parents’ names and places of birth, along with your executor or estate representative’s information.
Having this information on file ensures that, when the time comes, everything is already in place and ready to move forward efficiently and without delay. Your family or executor won’t need to search for records or guess at details, helping to reduce stress and the amount of work for them during a difficult time.
Not-Paid File
You may choose to set up a Not-Paid File, where we record your wishes and keep them safe for the future. The file is set up exactly like a pre-paid file; however, no payment is taken. Payment is simply made at the time of need.
Pre-Arrangements with Payment
A pre-arrangement with payment begins with an appointment with a licensed funeral director. During this time, we gather the required information. We will complete a Thames Valley Cremation Services Inc. Pre-Need Contract Funded by Trust, which outlines all services, supplies, and disbursements.
If you decide to pay in full or make monthly payments, they are made directly to Guaranteed Funeral Deposits (GFD) by bank withdrawal, Visa, or MasterCard. Payments can be interest-free for up to 24 months.
We take care of all paperwork and documentation and set up your prepaid file, including the required trust forms for GFD—the trust company that holds your funds securely. We take pride in being exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, ensuring every step is handled with accuracy, care, and professionalism.
How Funds Are Held in Trust
Funds are held in the purchaser’s name for the benefit of the beneficiary, who may be the same person or someone else. When the pre-need contract is paid in full, the contract becomes guaranteed.
The total payments made, along with any interest or growth earned, will be applied to the future cost of the services and supplies. If payments plus interest are insufficient to cover future prices, Thames Valley Cremation Services Inc. will absorb the difference. If the trust funds exceed the total cost, the surplus will be refunded to the estate or designated beneficiary (conditions apply) within 30 days after the death has occurred.
Monthly Payment Options
Payments can be scheduled for the 1st or 15th of the month and are made directly to GFD. Two payment methods are available:
• Automatic bank withdrawal
• Visa or MasterCard
All plans include all services and supplies, including the cremation container, disbursements, death registration, BAO fee, coroner’s fee, and taxes.
1-Year Payment Plan
• First Month: $220.00
• Next 11 Monthly Payments: $225.00 each
• Total: $220.00 + (11 × $225.00) = $2,695.00
2-Year Payment Plan
• First Month: $165.00
• Next 23 Monthly Payments: $110.00 each
• Total: $165.00 + (23 × $110.00) = $2,695.00
Transferring an Existing Pre-Paid Arrangement
If you already have pre-paid arrangements with another funeral home, you can transfer them to Thames Valley Cremation Services Inc. Pre-paid funds remain your property until the time of need, and any excess funds after services are provided are returned to the estate within 30 days after the death has occurred.
If you are interested in transferring your pre-paid arrangements, please give us a call at 519-494-5340 for more information. We will contact the funeral home on your behalf and ensure everything is looked after.
For more information, please feel free to reach out to us. There is no cost or obligation to meet with us to discuss pre-arrangements, and there is absolutely no pressure to buy.
