Deliberately, Confusing & Misleading

During our lifetime, there are many challenges and obstacles one must face. However, through the good times and the bad times, sickness and health, our loved ones are with us on our journey. Our loved ones mean everything in the world to us. They show us unconditional love and support and in return we want nothing more then to protect and show them unconditional love as well. I believe we should try our best to show them our love and support while they are alive because life is short and in the blink of an eye it can come to an end. 

Ecclesiastes in the Bible tells us “to everything there is a season; a time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance”, Revelations 21 “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain; for the former things have passed away.” When this time comes to bear, you are faced with the reality of death and the task of having to select a funeral home. 

When death enters our world, everything is a blur. It is another trying time in the days of our lives. Hospitals and care homes are the caregivers who provide treatment, comfort and solace. When a death occurs there is a transition from caregiver to caretaker where the funeral home becomes the caretaker. We strive to make this transition as seamless as possible with understanding and compassion. We respect the dignity of you and your loved one through this difficult journey. This is the time where you are especially vulnerable and can easily be misguided and taken advantage of. We all want the best for our loved ones. To honour their life and to provide a dignified farewell, but at what cost?  

The cost of providing a dignified farewell does not have to come with a large price tag attached to it. Call various funeral homes to compare pricing and services. Ask as many questions as you need. Funeral advertising can also be deliberately confusing and misleading to the consumer. Make sure you feel comfortable when choosing a funeral home. Choosing the wrong funeral home, can cost thousands of dollars in unneeded and unrequired services as well as further grief.  

Some funeral home providers do not own and operate a crematorium. This means that your loved one is transferred to an unknown facility for the cremation process. How can a funeral provider be a good caretaker of your loved one if your loved one is no longer in their care? As senseless as this may seem, there are many funeral homes offering cremation services that operate in this manner. 

The question now is: “Does it not make more sense to use a funeral provider that owns and operates a licenced crematorium where your loved one is in their care 100% of the time?” The simple answer to this question is yes. How can one find comfort and solace in asking questions about cremation and its process to a funeral director who does not own and operate a crematorium as they have nothing to do with the process? An ideal funeral director will guide your family through your darkest hour to a place of comfort with compassion, dignity and respect.

The hallmarks of a funeral home or service provider with a strong moral compass is one that will provide you with fair and honest pricing with no hidden costs or surprises. There are many funeral providers that operate like wolves in sheep’s clothing. These firms will advertise themselves as alternatives and usually have no or minimal facilities to serve your family. Using an alternative service that informs you to think outside the box, is similar to using an alternative to a surgeon for a heart operation.  

Many larger, well known funeral homes and cemeteries are publicly traded companies and are listed on various stock exchanges. As such, they are primarily concerned about share holder return and profit. Because of this they usually employ high pressure, well paid, commissioned sales staff. It is my personal opinion, that funeral service should be a personal and intimate experience. It should not be exploited for high profit or listed on stock exchange. There is a difference between making a living and taking advantage of people. 

Experience the Voyage difference: 

Voyage is a full service funeral provider. We offer cremation, cremation with a memorial service, funeral service with cremation to follow and traditional earth burial. 

Because of our exceptional service and the support of our community, Voyage has grown to become the largest family run funeral home in Manitoba. We strive to educate the public to be able to separate the facts from fiction regarding funeral service; the way funeral service was meant to be since biblical times. We keep it simple and make it easy. 

Voyage Funeral Home is family owned and operated. Voyage does not employ sales staff period. Our staff is the heart of our operation and our extended family. Our family at Voyage is most sensitive when dealing with the death of a little Angel. We believe there should be no financial obligation to those who must go through such a tragic loss. All arrangements and services provided by Voyage are free of charge. 

Each family that Voyage serves becomes the focus of our commitment to excellence in funeral service. Our vision incorporates tradition, compassion, cultural sensitivity, and cost options to meet the needs of every family. We truly believe in treating your loved one as we would our own. 

As a funeral director, I cannot take death away nor can I take away the pain.  I do however have empathy and will do my utmost best to carry your family through the most difficult experiences caused by death.  I promise to be honest, loving, caring, understanding and most of all have the greatest compassion, respect and dignity for your family, regardless of your situation.