OUR HISTORY
In April 1966, a diverse group, including individuals from various co-operatives and the Unitarian Church in Calgary, came together to establish a memorial society dedicated to helping individuals and their families make practical and cost-effective arrangements for end-of-life services like funerals, burials, and cremations. This mirrors the mission of memorial societies in general, which focus on promoting informed and pre-planned decisions for end-of-life matters.
Harold Webber, Supervisor of Co-operative Activities for Alberta, played a pivotal role by advocating for a memorial society within a co-operative business structure. This led to the creation of the Calgary and District Funeral Co-operative Ltd., registered under the Co-operatives Act. Initial representatives included prominent business leaders from the Alberta Dairy Pool, Co-operators, Calgary Co-op, and Alberta Wheat Pool. The co-op's inaugural annual meeting in September 1966 saw the election of Gil Jamieson as Chairman, with a board comprising individuals like Phil Davidson, Paul Greig, Allan Grant, and others. The co-op also secured its first contract with Foster's Funeral Home.
By 2012, CMS had seen significant growth, with over 40,000 members in southern Alberta. In 2020, the organization rebranded as the Cooperative Memorial Society, embracing modern strategies like social media and enhancing its life planning information services.
In 2021, discussions regarding a merger began with two other memorial societies in Alberta, resulting in the formation of a single provincial memorial organization. The journey of CMS continues, driven by its dedication to delivering accessible and cost-effective funeral services, while adapting to evolving member needs and the changing landscape of memorialization.
Harold Webber, Supervisor of Co-operative Activities for Alberta, played a pivotal role by advocating for a memorial society within a co-operative business structure. This led to the creation of the Calgary and District Funeral Co-operative Ltd., registered under the Co-operatives Act. Initial representatives included prominent business leaders from the Alberta Dairy Pool, Co-operators, Calgary Co-op, and Alberta Wheat Pool. The co-op's inaugural annual meeting in September 1966 saw the election of Gil Jamieson as Chairman, with a board comprising individuals like Phil Davidson, Paul Greig, Allan Grant, and others. The co-op also secured its first contract with Foster's Funeral Home.
By 2012, CMS had seen significant growth, with over 40,000 members in southern Alberta. In 2020, the organization rebranded as the Cooperative Memorial Society, embracing modern strategies like social media and enhancing its life planning information services.
In 2021, discussions regarding a merger began with two other memorial societies in Alberta, resulting in the formation of a single provincial memorial organization. The journey of CMS continues, driven by its dedication to delivering accessible and cost-effective funeral services, while adapting to evolving member needs and the changing landscape of memorialization.