"The loss of a loved one is a journey into an unfamiliar landscape. Whether the passing was expected or a sudden shock, the weight of the moment can make the simplest decisions feel monumental."
At Athabasca Community Chapel, we believe that you shouldn't have to navigate these early hours alone. Our job is to hold the practical details so you can be with your family.
What to do first
Call us on (780) 675-3996. Someone answers at any hour, including nights and weekends. You do not need to have decided anything before you ring, and there is no cost to ask.
If the death was expected, at home
Call the home care or palliative nurse first — they will attend and complete what they need to. Then call us and we will come, whatever the time. There is no rush to move your loved one; families often want to sit with them a while first, and that is entirely all right.
If the death was sudden or unexpected
Call 911 first. Emergency services and, where required, the Medical Examiner will take it from there. Once they have finished, call us and we will take over from that point.
If it happened in hospital or a care home
Tell the nursing staff that Athabasca Community Chapel is looking after the arrangements. They will contact us directly. You do not need to arrange transport yourself.
If it happened away from Athabasca
Call us before arranging anything locally, wherever it happened — another province or another country. We will coordinate bringing your loved one home and handle the paperwork that involves.
What happens on that first call
We will ask for your loved one’s name, where they are now, and a number to reach you on. That is enough to bring them into our care.
Everything else — the service, the casket or urn, the dates — waits until you have slept and your family is together. We will ask whether there are existing pre-arrangements, but nothing needs deciding on that call.
Our First Meeting: Designing a Meaningful Tribute
When we meet for the first time, our goal is to move from logistics to legacy. We will go through the arrangements with you and show you the cost of each option before you choose it.
Costs, up front
You see every option and what it costs, in writing, before you decide anything. Nothing is added afterwards.
Burial or cremation
We will go through burial and cremation, and where the service is held — our chapel, a graveside, or somewhere that meant something to them.
The practical details
We will start drafting the obituary and coordinate the details — transportation, pallbearers, timings — so they are settled before the day.
What to bring
Bring photographs, keepsakes, or just the stories you find yourself telling. Small, ordinary details are usually what make a service feel like the person rather than a ceremony.
A Continuum of Support
Navigating these decisions is a significant responsibility, and we encourage you to bring a trusted friend or family member to these meetings for support.
From the first phone call through to the weeks after the service, our job is to make sure your loved one’s story is told properly and that your family is not left to work things out alone.
Explore Our Services
Services shaped around your family's unique style and needs.
Our Facility
A chapel, private arrangement and selection rooms, and an on-site crematorium, all at one address on 48 Avenue.
