5 min read
Talking to your family about cremation.
Five minutes to prepare for the conversation — what to say, what they might ask, and how to leave the door open. From the people who walk families through this every day.
Jump to common questions →What brings you here today?
You can change this any time.
How to open the conversation
- “I've been thinking about what I'd want when the time comes — and I'd rather you hear it from me.”
- “There's something I'd like to talk about. Nothing urgent. Can we sit down for a few minutes?”
- “I made a decision about something I want you to know about, while we still have time to talk it through.”
Why Cleo, in your own words
Transparent, fixed pricing — no surprises.
$1,900 in Quebec, $2,500 in Ontario (before tax). Often net $0 after the government death benefit.
A licensed funeral home, run by real people.
Licensed in Quebec and Ontario. 5.0 on Google. A care team you can reach any hour.
Time and space to grieve — not paperwork to manage.
Everything happens online or by phone. No funeral home visits, no decisions made under pressure.
Common questions families ask
Fair question. Cleo has helped hundreds of families and operates as a licensed funeral home in both Quebec and Ontario — held to the same provincial regulations as any traditional provider. The licence numbers and Google reviews are public. You can call to speak with the care team, ask anything, and walk away without committing. The legal and care standards are identical; what's different is the focus — only direct cremation, which is what keeps the price what it is.
What the price covers is what's actually needed: a licensed funeral home, trained staff, transport, the cremation itself, and the paperwork. What it doesn't cover is showroom overhead, casket upsells, and a sales floor — costs traditional providers pass on, whether or not a family uses any of it.
Direct cremation is separate from the ceremony. Many families hold a gathering — at home, in a place that mattered, or whenever feels right. You get to choose the moment instead of having it dictated by a venue.
Most major faith traditions today accept cremation, though some have specific guidance. We'd suggest a short conversation with your faith leader — many families find their tradition is more flexible than they expected.
It's normal. Most families don't agree on the first conversation. The point isn't to decide today — it's to start the conversation while there's still time to talk it through together.
Some families keep the ashes at home, scatter them in a place that meant something, or share them among family members. Others choose an urn niche or a memorial bench. The place can come later — what matters now is making a plan that lets you choose it together.
Pre-planning with Cleo doesn't lock anything in until the time comes. You can update the plan, change your mind, or pause anytime. Nothing is paid for until you decide it's right.
After the conversation
If they're not ready
That's okay — they heard you. Try: "I don't need a reaction today. I just wanted you to know." Then leave it for now, and come back to it in a week or two.
If you reach an understanding
Pick a moment in the next week or two to revisit the details together — even just to read this guide as a family. You don't need every answer today. What matters is that nobody has to figure this out alone, later, when there's less time to talk.
Why families trust Cleo
Licensed funeral home
Quebec & Ontario
5.0 on Google
Hundreds of reviews
Fixed, transparent pricing
$1,900 QC · $2,500 ON (before tax)
Care team available
24 hours, every day
Take this with you
A printable version of this guide, so you can refer back to it before or during the conversation.
Download the conversation kit (PDF)Go deeper
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What happens when you call
- You'll speak with a person, not a salesperson.
- No paperwork until you decide.
- We can answer your family's questions on the same call.