Joel Leonhardt - Family Services Director

01/01/2026

A new year isn't just about resolutions - it's about peace of mind.

Preplanning your funeral and cemetery arrangements is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. It means clarity, control, and fewer difficult decisions during an emotional time.

This year, plan ahead - on your terms, and happy new year!

12/13/2025

A mother of three died with a $1.2M house and a will: "Split everything equally among my children".

Two years later, the siblings don't speak.

One daughter lived there caring for her mom for 5 years and wanted to keep the house.

The other two wanted their share now. Forced sale of the house and got $980k.

After fees each sibling got $300k instead of $400k.

The caregiving daughter lost her home and $100k. All three sibling lost out on this.

A proper estate plan would have let the daughter buy out siblings over time, allowed waiting for a better market to sell, and set clear terms BEFORE mom died.

"Equal" isn't always "fair", and better planning would've avoided this entirely.

Are you content with how things will play out when you're gone?

12/13/2025

Protect your legacy.

Message me for a free family estate planning kit with legal will guide and a no-pressure consultation so you can make informed decisions on how best to serve your family when it counts.

11/21/2025

For the many fans of Prince, here’s a cautionary word:

He was the icon who soared freely, yet when he left this world in 2016, his financial empire became a tangled story of missed planning and hidden value. Prince died without a will, and his estate was ultimately valued at around $156 million for tax purposes.

What seemed like a defined legacy became a flashpoint for legal and financial battle. After years of court hearings, in August 2022 the family and advisers did reach an agreement to divide the estate.

This matters because the image of “rock star wealth” meets very real estate planning realities. An estate of this size, with tangible property, music catalogs, image rights and without clear instructions invited conflict, cost and delay.

The home where he lived, created and recorded is now part of an inheritance puzzle. And the $156m figure? It’s less a number of triumph and more a chapter in a story of what happens when you don’t define your own final act.

Moral of the story: START ESTATE PLANNING TODAY or you'll never fully know the problems you're leaving for your loved ones.

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...

10/16/2025

Some things to consider when you're planning for cremation vs. traditional burial: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/resources/blog/cremation-or-burial-making-the-choice.html

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.