Frequently Asked Questions

Our experienced team have compiled their decades of combined experience to provide answers to some of the most common questions we are asked at Speers.

Should you have any further questions, we invite you to use our Ask the Funeral Director form or, contact us at no obligation.

What is a funeral?

A funeral is a ceremony for a deceased person. The funeral is typically followed by a reception and graveside service. Funerals provide friends and family an opportunity to express condolences, tell stories and express condolences.

What type of service should I have?

If no pre-arrangements have been made, the type of service is entirely up to you.  Services are usually held at a funeral home or a place of worship, but today, you can create any type of service you wish.

Can I personalize a funeral?

At Speers, we believe in personalization and encourage families to create unique services for their loved one. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to celebrate somebody’s life.

Do we need to have an obituary notice and what is included in one?

An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and provides them information about the service. Your Funeral Director can help you create and post an obituary on our website at no extra cost. 

If you would like the obituary published in a local newspaper, such as the Regina Leader-Post, your Funeral Director can also help you with that.

Who are funeral directors and what do they do?

Funeral directors are in charge of all the logistics following a death.  They complete all the necessary paperwork, make arrangements for the transportation of the body, and put into action the choices made by the family in regards to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body.  Beyond the logistics, funeral directors are there to provide moral support and guidance for someone coping with death.

What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

At Speers, we have staff on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Please do not hesitate to contact us outside of normal business hours.

What if a death occurs away from my home town?

We are here to help. Speers can arrange to have the remains transported home from anywhere in the world.  We will assume responsibility and make the proper arrangements to have the remains returned to Regina.

What is embalming and what purpose does it serve?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body; it also slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness.  Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service, and allows the family the option of having an open-casket viewing.

Do I need to have an embalming?

No.  In fact some religions forbid embalming.  If it is not against your religious custom, embalming is recommended, especially if there is an extended gap between death and burial or cremation.

How much does a funeral cost?

The average cost of a funeral service is between $5,000-$7,000. Please contact us for a quote.

Our General Price List is available on our website to allow you to view the full range of service options available to you. For a detailed quotation, please contact us today.

Why are funerals so expensive?

Funerals are labor intensive and require a lot of work from a lot of people.  The cost of a funeral goes beyond merchandise such as caskets, it includes the services of a funeral director in making the necessary arrangements, filling out forms, and dealing with all the other people involved in the death (doctors, lawyers, insurance companies).  Funeral directors work an average of 40 hours per funeral.  The cost of operating a funeral home is factored into the cost as well.  Funeral homes are a 24 hour operation, with extensive facilities that need to be maintained and secured.  

What do I do if I am not satisfied with the way a funeral was handled?

If you are not satisfied in any way with the service provided, we encourage you to contact us immediately to speak with a manager. Funeral Services in Saskatchewan are regulated by the Funeral and Cremation Services Commission of Saskatchewan and you can learn more by visiting www.fcscs.ca or calling (306) 584-1575.