Who can join BMFS?
Currently, all Muslims living permanently in Canada can apply for BMFS membership. We are extending BMFS operational coverage area to other parts of Canada with the help of local Mosques and our volunteers. At present, some parts of Canada, we are providing financial support only.
How can I become a member?
In order to become a member, you must create a profile on our website: www.bmfs.ca
There is a one-time non-refundable registration fee.
Fees:
-Principal applicant CAD$100
-Additional family member CAD$15 each (spouse and unmarried children). Married children must apply separately.
-Parents of the principal applicant and spouse are living at the same address must apply separately.
How to register:
a) Download and complete the Pre-Authorized form
b) Go to “REGISTRATION” on top right corner of the website and fill out the required information and click on the Register button.
c) You will receive an email with instruction for verification.
d) Complete the rest of the registration process and pay your registration fee and go to the next page
e) Email scanned image of Pre-Authorized form and void cheque to info@bdmfs.org.
f) Log in to verify your registration.
How the BMFS system works?
In case of death of a BMFS member, the organization inform all members by email or text message about Salah-tul-Janaza’s location, date and time. BMFS pays funeral expenses to the Mosque from its Reserve Fund created from member's registration fees. Subsequently actual funeral expenses will be divided among all principal members equally except the deceased. The contribution of each principal member of BMFS is withdrawn from their Bank Accounts after 72 hours via EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer).That is why BMFS requires a signed form of authorization and copy of a void cheque from the member to draw money from his/her Bank Account (downloaded from BMFS website).
When will my services be activated?
Your membership will be activated 30 days after the date of registration, provided we received all required documents from you.
If financially solvent family of a deceased member wants to bear the funeral expenses, what should they do?
If the family of any financially solvent deceased member decides to bear the funeral costs, they can do so. In such cases, BMFS requires a prior heads up so that the other members are not charged for the funeral costs.
How do I update my information if anything changes?
Please inform BMFS preferably through email in the event of any change in home/email address, phone number, new born in the family, marriage of a child, etc. You also need to update your profile in BMFS website.
What if someone dies in his/her home country?
Our service are limited to only within the reach of our partnering Mosques in Canada. Therefore, if a member dies in his/ her home country or out of our operational coverage area, BMFS does not provide volunteer's coordination service. However, financial assistance is provided upon receiving the required documents. Please review our Policy section for further clarification.
Can an International Student be a member of BMFS?
Yes, they can apply but there are some conditions. Please check BMFS Policy section for a detailed explanation before you apply.
If a registered member moves to another part of the country?
If a registered member moves to somewhere in Canada where BMFS service is not available, please check our Policy section, specifically “Claim Processing” for a member who died and buried outside BMFS service area / abroad”.
If BMFS service is available in your new area, make a call to a BMFS local volunteer and the rest will be taken care of. You must update your address and contact information in your profile on our site and send an email to the Director of Member Affairs, mentioning your recent change of address and contact information.
What if a Principal member dies?
In the event of death of the Principal member, the surviving spouse can be the Principal member if she/he accepts to contribute as a principal member.
Emergency Contact.
In case BMFS is unable to reach the family of a deceased member, BMFS requires an emergency contact name and number who can provide information regarding the prior burial arrangement, if any, to fill out relevant documents on behalf of the deceased and help connect BMFS with the deceased member’s family.
What should I do if a member dies at home?
Dial 911 . A coroner (Investigation Officer) will come to your home and will issue a death certificate. Call BMFS area coordinator for your area. Your area coordinator will contact the nearest partnering Mosque. They will provide the deceased’s information to the Mosque.
If an autopsy is required, the deceased person’s body will be taken to the autopsy center. After the autopsy is completed, the BMFS area coordinator will contact the concerned Mosque to arrange funeral and burial services. You will find the BMFS area coordinator’s name and contact number under “Volunteer” in the BMFS website.
Who is an additional member?
Additional members can only be your spouse and unmarred children living with you.
If a member is blessed with another child what must he/she do?
He/ she must update their profile with BMFS as soon as possible and pay $15.00 to register the new born as an additional member of the family.
If a member does not pay his share of the dues, what action will be taken by the Organization?
At first BMFS will remind the member to pay his/her contribution. However, if he/she fails to do so then BMFS has the right to revoke his/her membership.
If the member writes a “will” that he/she should be buried in back home how will BMFS help?
In such an event Mosque will hand over the body to the family members after completion of the religious rituals and Janaza. Yet BMFS will stick to its promise to pay the funeral cost actual or upto CA$5,000. For detail please read “Policy” in BMFS website.
Will services be provided, if death occurs outside of BMFS’s operational area or out of the Country?
No, our services are only available within BMFS operational coverage area. Please visit our “Policy” and “Coverage Areas” section for further details.
How do I claim Death Benefits with Revenue Canada?
Please visit Revenue Canada Website for the Death Benefits:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-death-benefit.html
Is there a minimum threshold of member contribution irrespective of number of members per incidence?
Yes. Minimum contribution by a member per incidence is $3/ incidence.
