Joel Leonhardt - Family Services Director

11/07/2025

You've probably been to a funeral for a loved one at Glen Eden, Glen Lawn, and/or Chapel Lawn before. Have you given any thought to where YOU want to make your final arrangements?

Start with a free estate planning kit to at least know your options and get ahead of some of the inevitable decisions you will have to make. Ask yourself, if not now, when?

10/31/2025

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from a not-so-spooky cemetery - Glen Eden!

10/20/2025

Here's a few reasons why it's important to prearrange your funeral BEFORE you retire. It's easier than you think...

10/03/2025

There are at least 87 decisions that need to be made after a loved one passes away and several other factors and considerations that need to be done in a timely matter. Estate planning is not meant to be done after a death - just like homework, cramming is not the answer, especially when it's your loved ones burden to complete.

By checking off these tasks years in advance you essentially make your executor's (spouse/children) life that much easier by minimizing what's left to plan and pay for and actually knowing exactly what will happen when you pass. It's the least selfish thing a parent or partner can do for their family.

So ask yourself, and ask your parents....are your ducks in a row yet?

Comment below or message me directly if you'd like help planning for the inevitable.

09/23/2025

Today marks my 1 year anniversary working for Arbor Memorial (Glen Eden Funeral Home and Cemetery). I'm very happy to be a part of the team and am very much enjoying my new career!

The importance of estate planning and prearranging your cemetery and funeral needs has never been greater. With rising prices and rampant inflation, it's important to have a strategy in place for when it's needed. Getting a head start on these things means saving several thousands of dollars - not to mention guaranteeing your final wishes come true, removing the burden from loved ones to have to choose for you, and taking control of the inevitable. Despite how difficult you may think it is, you only need to have the discussion once and I'd be happy to help you get started.

Your loved ones will thank you.

09/05/2025

A few interesting statistics:

- Over 70% of Canadians are choosing cremation over traditional burial, expected to be over 80% by 2040.

- Western Canada has the most cremations, while Eastern Canada has the most traditional burials.

- The average age of death in Canada is 82 years, with women averaging about 84 years old. Fortunately, with new technology and healthcare practices this may also see an increase.

- Roughly 300,000 Canadians pass each year, projected to increase 50% per year by 2030 due to the baby boomer generation.

- A growing number of Canadians are prearranging their cemetery and funeral needs at approximately 40% as of 2025. This is due to families increasingly valuing affordability and rising funeral and burial costs (roughly 10% each year).

- Passing away without your estate plans completed leaves undue hardship on your spouse, kids, and executor. Planning can be done well in advance, save thousands of dollars, guarantee you get exactly what you want, and spares your family the burden of doing it for you. Pre-planning works 100% of the time.

09/03/2025

If you’re a baby boomer or older, you should’ve started your estate planning by now.

If your parents are baby boomers or older, get them to do their estate planning today.

You will all thank each other later.

08/14/2025

Not sure where your final resting place will be? That's okay.

You can still get a head start on a funeral prearrangement as these are some of the more difficult details for family to have to plan for, yet easier for us to decide on. All you need to know is if you want a traditional service (casket), or if you're leaning more towards cremation. You may not even want the full service with reception to follow. There are options that suit your needs and budget and they're worth looking into ahead of time.

Don't let indecision hold you back from protecting your loved ones from having to make expensive decisions for you when you're gone.

08/05/2025

There is no "right" time to preplan. There's only time and what you do with it. You'll only regret wasting it.

07/28/2025