News
April 2010 Canada Revenue Agency Recognizes Funeral Co-operative as Public Benefit
Prairie Lily Funeral Co-operative of is now registered as a charitable organization under the Income Tax Act in the category of "Benefit to the Community."Although the notion of a community-based organization providing funeral and burial services is not new, Prairie Lily is the only such organization to have charitable status. This means that Prairie Lily can issue tax receipts for charitable donations made by people who support the goal of removing the profit element from the cost of funerals.
Prairie Lily was formed in 2006 by a group of volunteers who believe that a bereaved family should not be forced to purchase funeral services in an environment where the vendors are seeking a profit. The organization's objective is to operate a facility that offers services comparable to existing corporate (for-profit) funeral homes, but at a much lower price, and without sales pressure.
In Prairie Lily's view, registration as a charitable organization affirms that end-of-life necessities are in the realm of a "public trust" and hence worthy of public support.
Embracing Retirement Showcase
Sheila Hasenfratz and Gabe Fahlman at Prairie Lily Funeral
Co-op's display booth at the 2009 Embracing Retirement Showcase.
Prairie Lily Funeral Co-op Featured on Radio Broadcast
Jeannette Miller, Prairie Lily's President, was recently interviewed on the radio show Each for All: The Co-operative Connection, along with funeral co-operative representatives from Prince Edward Island and Seattle.
Steinbach's Funeral Co-op Continues to Grow
The Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, Manitoba is a successful funeral co-operative that started 11 years ago. The co-operative was recently featured in an article in the Winnipeg Free Press titled: "No Gouging at Funeral Co-op" (PDF).
March 2008
Official Launch of Prairie Lily Funeral Co-operative membership drive
Prairie Lily Board of Directors unveil the co-operative's logo.
