Policies

Muslim Funeral Services Canada (MFSCA) is a federally registered non-profit organization. The purpose of forming this organization is to establish a network for the Canadian Muslim Community, and to foster unity through our common membership.

The death of a family member is one of the most upsetting, sorrowful and difficult time for a family. Even during such a painful time, we have to go through certain government and religious formalities before we place the deceased into the grave. Right at this difficult time, our volunteers give their hand to complete all the required formalities for the deceased and the family, thereof, the help would be felt like a blessing from Heaven. The primary objective to form MFSCA is to share the grief of death of a family member and stand beside the aggrieved family financially and emotionally in order to complete the funeral services so that they do not feel helpless during these most challenging times.

Who can be a member?

The membership is open to all Muslims (Citizen & Permanent residents) over the age of 18 years residing in Canada legally. All interested persons are required to apply online through MFSCA website.

Once we receive your application with a system generated member number, it is held for processing. Upon receipt of “Pre Authorize Form and a Void Cheque”, your membership will be activated after 30 days from the date of receipt of all the valid documents. Since it is a voluntary organisation, keeping your membership in good standing is member responsibility. Non-activated, cancelled, or withheld memberships are not eligible to receive any benefit or services of the organization. Cancellation of membership at any time is Non Refundable.

Eligibility

  • Membership in MFSCA is open only to individuals who:
    • Are Muslims.
    • Are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents.
    • Are 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
    • Resident in Canada.
  • The following categories are not eligible for membership at this time:
    • Visitors and individuals in Canada on any type of visa or claimant, temporary resident, study or work permits.
    • Individuals with any temporary or pending immigration status.


Proof of eligibility

Applicants must provide accurate information about their age, immigration status, and residence in Canada.

  • MFSCA may require supporting identification, including but not limited to:
    • Canadian passport.
    • Permanent resident (PR) card.
    • Canadian citizenship certificate or card.
  • MFSCA may refuse or cancel membership, deny service if an applicant provides false or misleading information or fails to provide adequate proof of eligibility when requested.


Presentation of Proof of status:

MFSCA may ask to show the proof of eligibility status at any time during the courses of membership. If not requested earlier, it’s mandatory to provide proof of eligibility along with other documents with funeral service request at the time of member’s death.

Membership Fee:

One time non-refundable member registration fee is required. Membership Fee is collected through online only. No Cash payment is accepted.

  • Principal Applicant CAD$100 + 13% HST
  • Additional family member CAD$15+ 13% HST for each (spouse and unmarried children under 25 years only)
  • Married children must apply separately (even if they live with parents)
  • Parents of both, principal applicant and spouse must apply separately (even if they live at their son/daughter house)


Membership cancellation policy:

Cancellation of membership at any time is Non Refundable. ( e.g. One time registration fee or any contribution already made for member burial) Your membership application can be cancelled for the following reasons:

  • If a member, no longer wants to be a member.
  • If MFSCA does not receive two (2) required documents from the new registrant, “Pre authorization debit form and a copy of void cheque” within 90 days from the application date.
  • If a member fails to update account information within 30 days’ time of any information changes related to his/her account.
  • Failure to pay contribution for other member’s burial or member does not respond to notices. Failure to pay may auto cancel membership from the computer system.
  • The Management reserves the right to cancel/ revoke the membership of any individual in case of non-compliance with terms and conditions of the policy of the organization.

Upon cancellation of any membership, past member(s) need to re-apply and pay as a new member to be a member again.

Maximum Funeral Cost:

Due to differences in funeral and burial expenses in different city mosques across the country, MFSCA provides monetary support at actual  up to a maximum of CAD$9,000 per deceased member. Financial support includes the cost of:

  1. Mosque Services Charges
  2. Cemetery Lot
  3. Grave opening/closing fee


Funeral Coordination:

MFSCA provides financial and funeral coordination support to its members. Funeral coordination support requires the presence of local volunteer and a local partnering mosque that has funeral facilities.

However, if the particular city does not have MFSCA volunteers and a partnering mosque that has the funeral facility, MFSCA is unable to provide funeral coordination support in that area. Under such circumstances the family of the deceased member is advised to coordinate funeral services with a local mosque. In the absence of a mosque or graveyard in said area, the family should make contact with a mosque in another nearby city that has such facilities. In such cases MFSCA provides financial support to the family at actual maximum up to CAD$9,000.

  • MFSCA volunteers coordinate between deceased family and mosque.
  • Funeral is processed according to Sunni Muslim practice.
  • MFSCA does not promote embalming or transporting the deceased to overseas. MFSCA does not carry any such cost.
  • Members/Volunteers must follow Mosque Mortuary Room Hygienic procedures as instructed by the Funeral Coordinator.
  • Members/Volunteers must adhere to confidentiality rules and not share or disclose any info about bathing of the deceased.
  • MFSCA is not responsible for handling or maintaining deceased’s paper works. It is Mosque and family’s responsibility.
  • Deceased body can only be stored at Mosque cold room for one night.


Member’s death:

In case of member’s death, MFSCA is required to make the payments towards funeral expenses including the purchase of the graveyard plot from its Reserve Fund on the same day. 

Claim must be submitted within 90 days from the date of occurrence with claim form and supporting documents.

Subsequently, this funeral cost is equally shared among all Principal Members except the deceased member account. The member’s contribution towards the funeral cost is withdrawn through EFT from each member’s bank account after 72 hours of Salah-tul-Janaza. Member is responsible for NSF (Non-Sufficient Fund) charges due to incorrect banking information or insufficient fund in member’s bank account. Members must notify MFSCA regarding any change of their banking information immediately in order to avoid NSF  (Non-Sufficient Fund) charges. 

Yearly operational Expenses:

  • There is a yearly expense for maintaining the MFSCA website, bank fees, EFT processing company fees, courier charges, Insurance and other operational cost.
  • The yearly expenses is shared by all Principal Members at the beginning of each year. This is an one time yearly charge.

 

Claim Procedure for a member deceased outside of Canada:

Submit claim form and supporting documents to Director Finance, “Muslim Funeral Services Canada”. Claim processing may require further inquiry by MFSCA Committee. Deceased member’s family must provide a copy of the official Proof of eligibility (eg. Passport/ PR card copy), Death Certificate, Funeral Service invoice, cemetery plot purchase invoice and proof of travel abroad (Death not over 3 Months from Travel Date from CA). The following expenses are covered: Funeral service at a mosque/funeral home, casket/coffin and plot for the grave, transportation from hospital to mosque and to graveyard. Incomplete claim forms without all supporting documents will not be processed. Up to a maximum of CAD$5000 can be claimed.

***The policy may change over time to realign with changing circumstances, government rules and affiliated mosque and cemetery policies.