Bangladesh Muslim Funeral Services (BMFS) 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 BMFS 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.

Maximum Funeral Cost:

Due to differences in funeral and burial expenses in different city mosques across the country, BMFS provides monetary support at actual  up to a maximum of CAD$7,000 per deceased member. Financial support includes the cost of:

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

Funeral Coordination:

BMFS 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 BMFS volunteers and a partnering mosque that has the funeral facility, BMFS 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 BMFS provides financial support to the family at actual maximum up to CAD$7,000.

• BMFS volunteers coordinate between deceased family and mosque.
• Funeral is processed according to Sunni Muslim practice.
• BMFS does not promote embalming or transporting the deceased to overseas. BMFS 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.
• BMFS 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.

Who can be a member:

The membership is open to all Muslims over the age of 18 years residing in Canada legally. International Students with valid stay permission can apply for membership, provided they agree to submit their proof of stay in Canada by 30th September of every year to the organization via email. Failing to submit such proof may cause of termination of their membership. When the student returns back home or any change of their status happens, he/she must notify the organization via email. All interested members are required to apply online through BMFS website.

Your membership will be effective right after 30 days from the date you have applied. Cancellation of your membership at any time is Non Refundable. “Pre Authorize Form and a Void Cheque” are required to process your application. Visitors in Canada is not  eligible for this funeral service, regardless of duration.

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
• Additional family member CAD$15 for each (spouse and unmarried children only)
• Married children must apply separately (even they live with parents)
• Parents of both, principal applicant and spouse must apply separately (even they live at their son/daughter house)

Membership cancellation policy:

Cancellation of membership at any time is Non Refundable. ( eg. 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 BMFS 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 a reasonable 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 notice’s
• 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.

Member’s death:

In case of member’s death, BMFS 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. 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 BMFS regarding any change of their banking information immediately in order to avoid NSF  (Non Sufficient Fund) charges. 

Yearly Expenses:

• There is a yearly expense for maintaining the BMFS 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. (Example: if there is a total of 700 members and yearly total operational cost is $7000, each principal member is charged CAD$10. If the number of members go up, this charge will go down accordingly).
• A yearly financial statement is prepared by a professional accounting company and email to all members.

Claim Procedure for a member deceased outside of Canada:

Submit claim form and supporting documents to Director Finance, “Bangladesh Muslim Funeral Services”. Claim processing may require further inquiry by BMFS Committee. Deceased member’s family must provide a copy of the official Death Certificate, Funeral Service invoice, cemetery plot purchase invoice and proof of travel abroad. 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.