PX DERMODY FUNERAL HOME:

Making difficult decisions easier from the comfort of your home

PX Dermody has been in the business of helping people celebrate the lives of their loved ones for a very long time. As this fourth-generation family business celebrates its 90-year milestone, it continues to embrace traditional values, but as times have changed, have evolved to incorporate some unique online offerings.

“Our first online initiative was back in 2018, and we’ve really noticed a growth. It’s resonated with a lot of people who perceive it to be a better or a more convenient way to deal with these matters at the time of the death or in planning ahead for themselves or their family members,” says owner Bill Dermody. “It was a huge help during Covid. I can’t express how proud we were of our funeral directors who adapted our online platform very quickly with a whole range of offerings to help people.”

According to the Cremation Association of North America, almost three-quarters of those who died in Canada in 2021 were cremated, and those numbers are on the rise. “There’s a perception cremation is less expensive, and sometimes it is. Our simple online package is intended to be quite economical and reasonable,” says Bill. “The other aspect I think is true is people feel that they have a little bit of an opportunity to honour the person in different ways and at different times. One of the things we learned from Covid is that people could hold events afterward. The ritual by which we celebrate and deal with the death of somebody we love has changed, but it still serves the same purposes.” CremationHelp.ca and BurialHelp.ca offer convenient, step-by-step online arrangement processes that give you complete control over the products and services you select in the comfort of your own home. Each offers an affordable, simple online package that provides dignified care for your loved one and covers the arrangements from transportation from the place of death to PX Dermody’s facilities and a cremation or burial container to the registration of documents and assistance with CPP applications for death benefits.

You simply select the services and merchandise, provide statistical information, sign the forms, and pay by card, PayPal, Etransfer, or a payment plan. A celebration of life or religious ceremony may also be planned after the cremation or burial has taken place. Even if you make prearrangements, you’re never locked in. They can be changed or cancelled very easily and very quickly. Prepayment means your contract for services and merchandise is guaranteed in today’s dollars before inflationary increases. Prepaid funds are held in trust, always protected, and earn interest every year.

Bill estimates that about 20% of his clientele currently use the digital platforms, but that is growing quickly. “We see it, especially with people who want to put plans in place but don’t have the time to come into the funeral home,” says Bill. “People can still call us, they can have a Zoom conference, and for people unable to get into the office, we’ll meet you in your home.”

PX Dermody is working on two additional arrangement platforms available in the coming months. FuneralHelp.ca is for people who want a more traditional service. Whether it’s at a church, community centre, or golf course, you supply the location, and they’ll provide the staff, services, and equipment to support your choice. EstateHelp.ca is designed to help families and estate trustees with estate administration.