A new pathway for Prince Rupert may require innovation and legislative changes
In 2021, two trailblazers, George Westwood and Matthew Pierce, introduced a groundbreaking solution in deathcare services for the remote archipelago of Haida Gwaii, located west of Prince Rupert. Most residents used to have to spend a significant amount of money for essential funeral services to and from the island, enduring a long journey to Terrace , and dealing with a sporadic ferry service.
What ensued was a five-year legislative battle. Heated discussions took place in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and advocacy from then-North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice resulted in an amendment to the Cremation, Interment, and Funeral Services Regulation, which took effect on June 14, 2019. This change, outlined in section 36.1, allows two individuals to apply for a funeral director licensing exemption in one designated remote service area.
Westwood highly recommends that Prince Rupert and other northwest communities such as Metlakatla, which lack funeral businesses, form their own societies and begin obtaining licence exemptions to have local directors. He urges interested individuals to contact his society for guidance on establishing similar initiatives.
"When someone dies at home, I don't care who you are, where you are, or why. Standard is – you phone an ambulance, simply state they're unconscious or not breathing, the ambulance will come and pick them up and take them to the hospital, so regardless, they end up in the hospital morgue," he said. He finds it beneficial to equip people with step-by-step knowledge of the process and all the options available ahead of time. This preparation may involve contacting funeral homes, understanding timelines and budgets, and being aware of potential challenges.
"The government is far below the costs that are needed in rural areas to perform the services. The funding that's available is about half of what's necessary, and B.C. is by far the lowest funding for the program, or its equivalent across the country."Tuck says another program people can use is the Canada Pension Plan death benefit, which can provide up to $2,500 toward funeral services. However, he says funding programs are just one piece of the puzzle.
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