The journey of Funeral Support Services Organization hereinafter will be referred as “FSSO” started on 1^st December, 2014 when, with the sole objective of serving Muslim Community and providing them funeral financial support services in the province of Ontario, the organization of FSSO was established with the kind support of few very dedicated Muslim brothers. The aim was to relieve members of Muslim community from the burden of excessive funeral cost ranging from $6,000 to $9,000. In the past we have observed few examples where some Muslim Brothers and Sisters were asking help and donation in Masjids and from community members to cover the funeral cost of their loved ones who passed away as they were unable to bear the same. This situation was an eye opener and wake up call for every Muslim brothers and sisters which lead us to create this organization.

Following the set procedure of Federal and Provincial Government FSSO was established on 1^st December 2014 and registered under Ontario Corporation Registration #1926261 and Revenue Canada Agency BN #820447589.
The operation of FSSO is managed, monitored and controlled by a Managing Committee comprising of the following members of the Board of Directors:

Introducing a very simplified procedure of membership, the members of the Managing Committee launched campaign to introduce the concept of FSSO by arranging events, visiting various Masjids in the Ontario Province, Community Centers, get together meetings and invited all Muslim brothers and sisters to register with FSSO as a member and find a respectable way to cover their and their family members funeral cost by paying once in life time membership fee as mentioned in “Introduction”. Once they become registered member of FSSO they will only be required to equally share the reimbursement cost, if incurred in future, due to demise of registered FSSO member which will not exceed $15 per case. This is to replenish the membership account fund to maintain the stabilized balance.

In the event of death of any registered and active FSSO Member the following procedure is followed:

a) Death at Home: First of all family members are required to call Emergency #911 and inform them and then call FSSO. Police, Ambulance and a Coroner (Investigation Officer) will arrive at the deceased member site to complete the formalities. They will issue a death certificate which give the permission to make funeral arrangements OR they may decide if an autopsy is required. If so, the body of deceased will be taken away to the hospital where the doctor will take autopsy and then issue a death certificate.

b) Death in Hospital: First call FSSO and notify them. Hospital management and doctor will take care of everything and issue a death certificate accordingly.

c) After the receipt of death certificate, FSSO designated officials will then make necessary burial arrangements.

d) After all funeral arrangements are finalized FSSO will notify all members about the death of deceased member by email and inform them about the time and venue of Salat-ul-Janaza.

e) Total Burial cost will then be calculated and distributed among all FSSO Principal Members as their reimbursement share. All Principal Members will be notified about the amount of their share and after five working days the same will be deducted from their bank account as per Pre-Authorized Payment Plan agreement signed by them. It will be the responsibility of FSSO Members to ensure that they do have sufficient fund in their account. In the event of NSF (Non-Sufficient Fund) in any of the Principal member’s account, he/she will be subject to $25 penalty.

By-laws of FSSO have been formulated and documented.

FSSO files Tax Return annually.

Starting next phase of operation of acquiring graves and then land for Muslim grave yard, an initiative was taken to utilize a part of FSSO idle membership fund and some graves were purchased in Mississauga, Etobicoke and Toronto in December 2017 at a reasonable cost.

Depending on the donations and support from our Muslim brothers this plan includes (In’sha ALLAH) the following:

1) Purchase of land for Muslim graves yard in selected areas surrounding by majority of Muslim community.

2) A vehicle to transport body of deceased member from home/hospital to masjid and grave yard

3) Facility to prepare body for burial