Eirene Cremations Review

Death is not a topic people like to typically discuss (for obvious reasons).

However, death (and the  is a reality for everyone and should be thought about ahead of time. After all, the costs associated with funeral arrangements are often jarring.  

It’s no secret that the funeral industry isn’t necessarily a fair one. Like with weddings, the word ‘funeral’ seems to be associated with an increase in pricing for every single detail.

Bereaved family members are often confused, rushed, and end up paying significantly more than they should. According to this article, the average cost for a funeral in Canada is between $5,000 and $10,000 . But a new business, Eirene, is looking to change that with their simple, modern, and affordable cremation plans.

What is Eirene?

Eirene is a new online cremation and end-of-life technology platform. 

It’s the first of its kind in Canada and their goal is to be the go-to option for funeral planning for Canadians while keeping things simple, compassionate, and direct.

Eirene makes things easy by allowing you to do everything from the comfort of your own home. There is no need to shop around or arrange consultations as everything is taken care of online. Their belief is that the focus should be grieving with your family, not worrying about the funeral details. So they take care of all of that for you for a flat fee. 

Eirene Cremation Services currently serves the Toronto area and is licensed and regulated by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. All industry partners are also licensed and have been vetted to ensure that you receive the best service available.

How Does Eirene Work?

The idea of an online cremation platform may sound a bit out-of-the-box, but when so many other things can be done online now, it kind of makes sense. After all, if there was ever a service that would be easier planned from the comfort of your own home, it’s this one. 

So, how does Eirene work? The process is quite simple. 

When you arrive at the Eirene website you will click the green button in the top right corner. You will then be taken to the online forms, there are three:

• Your information
• Your loved one’s information
• Safety information and legal

Filling out these forms can be done in as little as ten minutes.

Once you have filled out all of the information, then Eirene will start to take care of the cremation process. This includes:

• Collecting your loved one from their place of passing
• Having a licensed funeral director complete all necessary paperwork
• Registering the death with the Officer of the Register General
• Holding a private cremation for your loved one
• Holding/ delivering the cremated remains back to you 

How Much Does Eirene Cost?

As mentioned above, the services provided by Eirene have a flat fee. The cost is $2,500 which is half the cost of the industry average. 

Unlike with other funeral and cremation arrangements, you do not have to worry about any upselling. The $2,500 is a flat packaged fee that includes the following services:

• Licensed funeral director and care team
• Transfer and transportation of your loved one
• Completion of paperwork
• Private cremation
• Cremated remains returned to you in a simple container

Eirene values their transparency and has a full cost breakdown of these fees available on their website.

Why Should I Consider Cremation?

Eirene specializes specifically in cremation services. 

They do not offer embalming. 

Why? Well, cremation services are becoming more and more popular among Canadians. In fact, in 2019, 72% of Canadians opted for cremation services. 

Part of that may be due to cost. After all, cremation services are significantly less expensive than traditional burial services. However, the main draw for cremation, is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a rush and you can make it more personal. 

There is no rush to arrange a funeral or memorial service with cremation. Once you have the cremated remains, everything is on your timeline. Do you want to wait until spring? You can. Do you want to wait until more family can come for a service? You can. Is it just all too hard right now and you need longer to grieve before you say your goodbyes? You can.

Cremation also allows individuals to personalize their goodbyes. Some choose to keep their loved one’s remains with them in the home. Others choose to bury them or even scatter them. Scattering has become a popular option with dozens of options including by air, by sea, or even blasted into space. While these ideas may seem a little over the top to some, others will take solace in knowing that they gave their loved ones a special sendoff. 

Now, more than ever, thanks to COVID-19 safety regulations in place, cremation has become a top choice. With limits on travel, group gatherings, and more, trying to arrange a funeral service is proving to be more stressful than usual. By choosing cremation, you can hold off on the ceremony until restrictions loosen up and everyone can be included. 

Eirene Funerals: FAQ

Where is Eirene Available?

At this time, Eirene is only available in the Greater Toronto Area. However, they do plan on expanding across Canada in the future. 

Is there a funeral service included?

No. However, by using Eirene’s services you are allowing yourself to hold a funeral or celebration of life on your own terms at your own time without any constraints or restrictions. 

Does Eirene offer pre-arrangement services?

Not at this time, however, they do plan to in the future.

Eirene Review: Final Thoughts

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, talking about death is not a happy topic but it should be thought about and it should be discussed. At least in terms of recognizing what options are available to you so that you aren’t completely gobsmacked when the time comes.  I admit that I am completely bias towards any product that takes on the predatory funeral industry.  I have just seen too many friends and family members taken advantage of when they are at their emotional low point.  Any platform that seeks to take away that power gets my vote/dollar.

What I like about Eirene is how transparent they are in terms of what they offer and the cost breakdown. It’s simple and easy which is exactly what family members and loved ones need during a time of loss.

There are too many businesses in this industry that are willing to capitalize on others’ grief and it’s refreshing to see a business that recognizes that and goes against the trend in an effort to be more compassionate during this stressful time.  

When we asked if Eirene would arrange something special for MDJ readers, they told us to simply have readers sign up by clicking the button below and they would automatically qualify for a free urn in addition to the flat-rate package.