GFD was created by a passionate group of bereavement service professionals in 1961. The goal was to serve the bereavement sector and the public by offering preneed sales on a not-for-profit basis. GFD has since evolved into a vibrant, Members based organization that has expanded to include bereavement professionals across Canada. Whether we’re investing & monitoring bereavement funds, providing exceptional Member support, or helping the public understand and pre-plan their last wishes, GFD is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the Canadian bereavement sector. We’ve compiled the following list of some of the benefits that GFD provides to its Members:

• Increased competitiveness – GFD carries carefully selected financial products to suit its Members needs, providing clients with different products that best fit their investment habits, finances and lifestyle. This gives GFD Members a competitive edge over those who offer fewer or less rewarding funding options to clients.
• Business growth with training – The training that we provide free of charge allows Members to reach and communicate effectively with interested clients. This helps to build pre-need business and results in a consistent growth rate for Members. Our training in product knowledge, presentation delivery, and seminar management has had a proven success record as documented in case studies of Member establishments.
• Savings in terms of marketing costs – GFD has a collection of marketing materials available to its Members to provide a variety of information to new or potential clients. Many items can be customized and ordered at-cost. Members do not have to incur the cost of hiring a marketing company or an in-house marketing professional to design a variety of unique and compelling marketing materials.
• Enhanced reputation – GFD was built by the bereavement sector to serve the bereavement sector. For almost 60 years we have been providing our Members with the right products and services to deliver professional and well-rounded service to their clients. Let us help you build a strong reputation of service and respect within your community.
• Visibility – Our team can help you organize and host information sessions, group presentations, and conduct marketing campaigns to increase the visibility of Member’s establishments in the community
• Up-to-date reporting – Our online tools provide you with access to current and historical reports to help Members accurately report on and assess their past and present performance.
• EFT – Electronic Funds Transfer deposits are quick, efficient and hassle-free.
• Easy-to-use online tools – Our website can be accessed any time 24/7 with a secure, gated section for Members where they can submit and track the status of applications and claims, view and download reports, access forms, view sample marketing resources, and access Preneed U, our online training website.

We welcome you to email us at [email protected] or navigate to the “Get Started” page from the GFD homepage and submit your information to us. We will follow up with you to set up an appointment with one of our Business Development Officers who will provide you with all of the information and resources you need to get started.

We’ll assist you with completing some basic paperwork so you can become a Member. Depending on your needs, we can also help assist you with the transfer of funds from other financial institutions to GFD.

GFD is an organization with a mandate to serve our Membership; we keep your best interests in mind with every business decision we make. For almost 60 years, we have quietly but consistently built a legacy of service to the bereavement sector that continues today.

GFD works closely with provincial regulators to ensure that everything we do is done in compliance. Our mission is to provide Bereavement Professionals with the best products and support to promote their future business to help them care for Canadian families.

We offer Trust, Insurance, and Travel Assistance Plans, as well as Care & Maintenance programs for Cemeteries. For more information on our products, please email [email protected] or call us at 1-800-268-2466

Our Trust offers no penalties for cancellations or early withdrawals of Trust accounts for bereavement establishments and their clients. Our insurance products offer competitive terms for our Members and their clients in the event of an early cancellation or other administrative change.

We offer Trust, Insurance, and Travel Assistance Plans, as well as Care & Maintenance programs for Cemeteries. For more information on our products, please email [email protected] or call us at 1-800-268-2466

Our Trust offers no penalties for cancellations or early withdrawals of Trust accounts for bereavement establishments and their clients. Our insurance products offer competitive terms for our Members and their clients in the event of an early cancellation or other administrative change.

All funds on deposit with GFD are placed with an approved financial institution and invested only in GIC’s (as per provincial regulation) and consequently are protected by either CDIC (federal insurance) if deposited in a bank or DICO (provincial insurance in Ontario) if deposited with a credit union. GFD pays a growth rate on the prepaid deposit comparable to the current markets. We reserve the right to adjust the rate, and if our Board of Directors decides to change the growth rate all depositors are advised at least 3 months in advance.

GFD has operated successfully for almost 60 years and we have never had a default. Your trust deposit principal is fully protected by regulated depositories such as banks or credit unions and they are respectively protected by government guaranteed.

If a pre-paid contract is funded by purchasing an insurance policy, the purchaser of the policy names a beneficiary to whom any excess funds leftover go to. Policies issued for insurance are all guaranteed by Assuris the insurance industry supported agency.

The following types of training are offered to Members through our Preneed U training site:

• Product training – training on the features of our products and how best to communicate our products to interested clients
• Aftercare training – designed to assist families with completing funeral protocol
• Seminar coaching – hosting effective information sessions

Courses completed on Preneed U generate customized CE credit certificates.

Training is offered primarily online through our Preneed U training site, as well as in-person or over the phone. Our self-guided, online product training is available 24/7 and our team is available to conduct personalized training as well.

We offer several customizable marketing pieces to our Members including: pre-planning brochures, product brochures, banners, surveys, advertisement templates, flyers, direct mail pieces, post cards, seminar invitations, press release writing, community relations and media training.

Hosting information sessions is a great way to answer questions families may have about the pre-planning process. GFD has helped many Member establishments organize successful seminars. We help Members organize information sessions by designing seminar invites, assisting in calculating seminar cost and coaching them on public speaking.

Campaigns are designed according to each Member’s budget. GFD charges Members the cost of printing brochures and materials. Seminars are also organized according to Members’ budgets.

Members submit new business to GFD via our easy-to-use online application forms. You can view the status of your applications as they are processed, and can download corresponding certificates to provide to your clients.

Members submit their trust claims online, which are paid by EFT within one business day. Insurance claims are submitted via an easy-to-complete claim form and a copy of the proof of death.

To cancel a certificate, we require supporting documentation from both the client and the Member establishment.

GFD’s Member Care team provides live-answer phone and email support from 8:30am – 6:00pm Monday through Friday.