Frequently Asked Questions

In 1935, A. Millard George began the London Funeral Service located at 104 Dundas Street. The business later moved to 339 King Street, where the firm operated as Irving and George Funeral Home. After purchasing the property at 190 Wortley Road, Mr. George established the A. Millard George Funeral Home, which operated in Old South London from 1940 – 1968. In 1957, Mr. George purchased the Ardaven Funeral Chapel at 60 Ridout Street South and in 1965, built a new funeral home on this site. The A. Millard George Funeral Home Limited was dedicated on February 11, 1965. Paul J. Mullen began his apprenticeship under Mr. George in 1965 and became partners in 1971; following Mr. George’s death in 1993 became sole owner. David Mullen, son of Paul J. Mullen became a Licensed Funeral Director in June 1998. In 2006, David became partners with his father, ensuring that the A. Millard George Funeral Home (AMG) would remain family owned and operated. In June 2015, Paul retired after 48 years in the business and passed ownership to David.

Opening and closing fees include multiple separate services provided by the cemetery. It may include administration, record keeping, required documentation, opening and closing the grave, installation and removal of the lowering device, and leveling, tamping, re-grading and sodding the grave site when needed.

There is no law stating a specific time frame from death to burial, however, there are certain things to consider when looking at the timeline. The funeral director must secure certain paperwork, permits and authorizations before burial can take place. A burial must also be booked with the cemetery with enough time for them to prepare the grave. There is typically a 48-hour minimum, but burial can be delayed if chosen.

Prearranged funeral planning is making an appointment with our Prearrangement Director, here at the funeral home or at your residence. Information is recorded; caskets, urns or vaults, stationary, hymns, poems, and a list of the next of kin. This information is kept in a file and will help your family at the time of death. There is no cost to prearrange, however, if you do prepay it guarantees the services and supplies selected.

What happens to my money?

  • All funds are deposited into a trust account or insurance fund until the services are required.

What if I need the money back?

  • Your money can be withdrawn and returned to you, along with the accrued interest, or it can be transferred to another funeral home. An administration fee determined by the Board of Funeral Service will apply.

A memorial service is a service without the deceased present. A funeral service, or burial service, is when the deceased is present.

It is a time to express your sorrow and sympathy to the deceased family. The visitation is usually held at the funeral home and provides you an opportunity to pay your last respects to the deceased.

You should talk with your children about the death and give them the option to attend the visitation at the funeral home and/or funeral service. An A. Millard George Funeral Home consultant can also offer help in assisting your child cope with the bereavement process.

Embalming means the preservation and disinfection of all or part of a dead human body by means other than by refrigeration. The procedure of embalming means removing the blood and body fluid from the body and replacing it with a chemical preservative.

Embalming is not required in Ontario; however, it may be necessary under certain situations.

Embalming is not legally required in the province of Ontario. It may be a professional recommendation from a funeral director if the body is going to be viewed or if there is an extended time between death and burial. If a body is being transported to another country, embalming may be required by the receiving country.

A burial vault is a container which the casket is placed into in the ground. Vaults are usually made of concrete or fiberglass and are typically sealed to protect the casket.

The Executor and/or next of kin bear legal responsibility in the disposition of the deceased. It is very important for the executor to include the family in any decisions regarding final arrangements.

Cash disbursements are payments made by the funeral director on your behalf and might include items such as newspaper notices, officiant honorariums, city and provincial licensing fees. These disbursements are charged to you at the actual cost and if they appear on your contract, must be itemized and included in the total price.

Cremation is a process where fire reduces the body to ash (cremated remains) and small bone fragments. The ashes are then typically placed in a cremation urn.

Cremated remains can be kept by the family, buried in a cemetery, placed in a niche in a columbarium, or they can be scattered on private property (with permission from the owner) or in a designated area in the cemetery.

No, a casket is not required, but an alternative container made of wood or cardboard is.

No. However, it is ok for an embalmed body to be cremated.

An urn is not required; however, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service where the ashes are to be present. If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic or cardboard container.