<h2>Celebration of Life</h2>

<h3>Why are Celebrations of Life gaining popularity?</h3>

<p>

Many families who do not have a close association with their place of worship find it more authentic to celebrate a life on their own terms in a meaningful location.

75% of Canadians choose cremation, and that gives families time and location flexibility as they decide how to celebrate the life of their loved one.

Today, many families visit a funeral home and leave with a simple, direct cremation. Then they contact Kinwood to hold an authentic Celebration of Life on their own.

<a href="mailto:ask@kinwood.ca">Contact Kinwood</a>

</p>

<p>

Kinwood does not offer disposition or cremation services today. Our client families typically choose a direct cremation, and then to make the essential products to hold a Celebration of Life: Funeral cards, photo reels, short-films, and a custom web page to share the details with friends and family.

Kinwood is not an event planning company. We have learned that families know their preference for a location, and are capable of picking a menu with a restaurant or catering manager.

Kinwood, does everything else – and we do it better than any other funeral company.

</p>

<h3>How do you get the photos and materials?</h3>

<p>

Kinwood makes it simple. You will be provided your own web-portal that you can share with family and friends over email or text message. This portal will allow submissions from people anywhere in the world. It’s secure and easy to use.

If you have paper photos, don’t fret – we will work together to get them included.</p>

<h3>How does Kinwood deliver these digital commemoration products?</h3>

<p>

Kinwood will send you links to the completed digital files, and they can be watched or downloaded on a laptop, tablet or phone. We can also upload the content to YouTube so it can be shared and watched by everyone with a quick click.

Typically most families will put the reel and film on a small “thumb drive” and work with the venue or family member to play the content on monitors at the location. ( Think of the TV’s at a restaurant or club)

Some families watch the commemorative film in 20 minutes, start to finish. Other families choose to divide the film into clips, and have friends introduce the clips at the Celebration of Life. Either way, you will amaze your guests and go back in time with Kinwood’s digital commemoration products.

At the end of the project, Kinwood will send you a hard drive with the final products and all the photo and video materials that were submitted

</p>

<h3>Where are you located? Can you offer these services even if we live far away?</h3>

<p>

Yes! Kinwood does not have physical locations – and we are becoming the funeral company in the cloud. We can make your Celebration of Life an authentic and meaningful experience for your guests, no matter where you live.

The only physical products we make today are funeral cards and portrait posters. We can deliver “print ready” files that can go to a local printer or we can ship finished cards and posters to you.

This flexibility allows Kinwood to bring together stories and voices from everywhere, and we mold this content into a format that you can watch and share with anyone, anywhere.</p>

<p>

Clients LOVE our final products. They become a modern family heirloom and a rewarding experience to create.
For the family absorbing a loss, Kinwood’s commemorative films and photo reels are often rewatched hundreds of times by families and friends. Kinwood provides a private or public webpage where you can re-watch the materials and re-live the memories.</p>

<h2>Kinwood Commemorative Films</h2>

<h3>Why a Kinwood Commemorative Film?</h3>

<p>

For 200 years families commemorated lives through a personalized headstone and casket. Today, a large majority of North Americans are choosing a cremation vs a burial – and this trend has deprived families of choices on how they commemorate a life.

Kinwood understands that families and friends want to “do something” to honour a life. This is it. Part family history, part commemoration, A Kinwood Commemorative Film becomes an instant heirloom.

</p>

<p>

Kinwood makes it simple. You provide photos, video and 4-8 names for us to interview. Kinwood film editors take the interview footage, photos, home movies, cell phone video and produce a beautiful 15–30-minute commemorative film that will remain in the family forever.

</p>

<p>

Clients LOVE the final product. The film becomes a gift for a grieving spouse or family member – and it’s watched often. It’s both a modern family heirloom and a rewarding experience.

Kinwood clients have cherished the opportunity to leave the memories and stories of a loved one. Kinwood now offers a cloud option to capture interviews via videoconferencing. Kinwood enables clients to do something meaningful to honour an important life.

</p>

<h3>I don't like to talk on camera</h3>

<p>

We hear that sometimes. Kinwood sends speakers a package on how to prepare and what to wear. We create a warm and welcome space to share personal feelings and stories. Kinwood will ask you thoughtful questions so you can share your reflections without preparing or pressure.

Kinwood now offers a Cloud Film – and we can capture your interview over a laptop, in the comfort of your own home.

Know that our editors only use the best interview clips making sure everyone looks good.

</p>

<h3>Will others want to participate in an interview?</h3>

<p>

Past clients will say that choosing friends and family members is the hardest part of the project. Most everyone will want to participate and embrace the chance to tell future family members why their loved one was loved.

After a death, people want to “do something,” and leaving memories and stories is a meaningful way to contribute. Kinwood’s questions make it easy to talk and focus on what’s important.

</p>

<h3>Ok, that makes sense. What else needs to be done?</h3>

<p>

We need photos of your loved one – the more the better. If you have cell phone video, we can use that too. Pick 4-10 speakers, and Kinwood will reach out and take care of everything. We will also digitize paper photos for the project. If you have old home movies or Kodak slides, we can incorporate them too. Ask us how.</p>

<h3>Can I play the film at a Celebration of Life?</h3>

<p>

Yes! Kinwood films and film clips have been the foundation for numerous celebration of life events.

A Kinwood film can be a great way to unite guests and recognize the details of the life being celebrated. Often times a speaker will offer a brief eulogy, then introduce a 3-minute clip of “Jerry Growing Up.” Guests are often blown-away.

Just ask – we have options that will work for your situation.

</p>

<h3>We can always do it in the future, so maybe we will think about it for now?</h3>

<p>

Yes, there is no time limit. But know the best Kinwood films are made in the days and weeks after a loss. Feelings are strong, memories are clear. We advise that if you are going to do it – do it soon.

</p>

<h3>It’s kind of expensive?</h3>

<p>Families who want a minimalist approach might say its extravagant. No one can say it’s not without value. Clients understand that Kinwood films are forever.</p>

<h3>I might be interested… how can I keep the costs down?</h3>

<p>Kinwood has built a studio at the Westminster Funeral and Reception Centre in North York. Filming interviews in our studio is a good way to keep costs down.

Also, Kinwood recently launched a “Cloud” Film option – which is often a trade-off between premium production values vs the convenience of remote interviews. It’s also our least expensive option.</p>

<h3>What are your geographic boundaries?</h3>

<p>

We don’t have geographic boundaries. If you have a newish laptop and decent wifi – we can do this from anywhere. Ask us how.

</p>

<h2>Celebrating a Life - Before MAiD</h2>

<h3>I've never heard of Kinwood. Is this a new service?</h3>

<p>

Yes, Kinwood is new company that works with families to make digital heirlooms to celebrate lives. Kinwood works with MAiD organizations like Maid Family Support Society (LINK) & Bridge C-14 (LINK), and these new services have been developed with their input and support.

Please see Kinwood’s guide for MAiD Preparation: Here (LINK)

</p>

<h3>Why is this a good option for families at this time?</h3>

<p>

Every MAiD patient has their own unique circumstances. For clear-headed patients, many wish to engage with family and close friends with their remaining time. Kinwood digital products allow families to go back in time together and relive the stories and memories.

It’s often difficult for close friends to arrange a visit. Kinwood will capture the stories and sentiment from important people, anywhere they live. Kinwood takes content from friends and family and turns it into a digital gift that you can share and watch together.

</p>

<h3>How do we watch photo reels and films?</h3>

<p>

You can hold a tablet, and watch them together with the time you have.

Kinwood will send you links to the completed digital files, and they can be watched or downloaded on a phone, tablet, or computer. We can also upload the content to YouTube so it can be shared and watched by everyone with a quick click.

At the end of the project, Kinwood will send you a hard drive with the final products and all the photo and video materials that were submitted.

</p>

<h3>How do the remote interviews work?</h3>

<p>

It’s not really an interview, but more of a conversation about their personal experiences, stories, and reflections. Kinwood will contact the people you wish to include and schedule a time for a video conference. Kinwood records the conversations, and then edits the footage with your photos and video to make a 10-15 minute short film celebrating the life.

Kinwood sends speakers a package on how to prepare and what to wear, along with a private link to the video conference. Our editors only use the best interview clips, making sure everyone looks good.

Familes are generally blown away with the quality and intimacy of these films. They are often rewatched hundreds of times.

</p>

<h3>How do you get the photos and materials?</h3>

<p>

Kinwood makes it simple. You will be provided your own web-portal that you can share with family and friends over email or text message. This portal will allow submissions from people anywhere in the world. It’s secure and easy to use.

If you have paper photos, don’t fret – we will work together to get them included.

</p>

<h3>My Mom has all these photo albums in the living room? Can you incorporate those?</h3>

<p>

Yes – those are an essential part of a Kinwood film. Kinwood works with families to digitize paper photographs and home movies in virtually any format. If you don’t have a deadline, we can even digitize Kodak Carousel slides.

As a side benefit, your family photos are now preserved forever.

</p>

<h3>We are thinking about having a Celebration of Life in the weeks ahead - can we use these materials?</h3>

<p>

Yes. Because you are taking steps to celebrate the life before a MAiD provision, these same materials can be reused for a future Celebration of Life event.

Kinwood can make edits or additions to your photo reels and films in advance of the event.

Kinwood makes the essential products that you need to hold a Celebration of Life on your own: An event web-page, funeral cards, Photo reels, and commemorative films. Learn more here. (LINK)

</p>

<h2>The Interview (Preserving Family History)</h2>

<h3>Why a Family Story Film?</h3>

<p>Kinwood Clients tell us. “My 83-year-old mother has all the family history and stories in her memory. It’s not written down anywhere.” Often times when a matriarch passes, this important family history is lost forever. Kinwood not only captures these memories but molds them into an engaging format that you will want to share and celebrate.</p>

<h3>Why is this a good gift for a parent or loved ones?</h3>

<p>Next to grandchildren, a Kinwood project is probably the best post-retirement gift ever. Seniors get to talk about their memories to a person who is genuinely curious about their story. For the client family, these stories, history, home-movies and photos are now in your possession. For everyone – a Kinwood project delivers this history into an engaging and sharable format.</p>

<p>Kinwood makes it simple. Reach out at ask@kinwood.ca. We have a pre-planning discussion with clients, and we talk through your circumstances & ideas with no obligation. Clients then provide photos, video and names for a Kinwood interview. Kinwood film editors take the interview footage, photos, home movies, cell phone video and produce a beautiful 15–30 minute film that will remain in the family forever.

Kinwood now offers a Cloud Film – and we can capture your interview over a laptop, in the comfort of your own home.

</p>

<h3>My Mom has all these photo albums in the living room? Can you incorporate those?</h3>

<p>

Yes – those are an essential part of a Kinwood film. Kinwood digitizes paper photographs and home movies in virtually any format – we can even digitize Kodak Carousel slides.

We always return the original photo albums – and you now will also have them digitally preserved.

</p>

<h3>I am thinking about sharing a message that’s quite personal. How do we keep it private?</h3>

<p>Our client agreement includes a non-disclosure agreement that Kinwood must abide to. You can dictate when and how the message is shared. There is no judging at Kinwood – and you don’t have to prepare at all. We can lead a discussion and ask questions about the most relevant memories, history, or personal reflections to share.

</p>

<h3>Is it hard to prepare for this?</h3>

<p>Kinwood sends speakers a package on how to prepare and what to wear. We create a warm and welcome space to share personal feelings and stories. Kinwood will ask thoughtful questions and reflections are shared without preparing or pressure.

Know that our editors only use the best interview clips making sure everyone looks good.

</p>

<h3>Who are the interviewers?</h3>

<p>Our team have years of experience dealing with seniors – and are genuinely interested in pulling out stories from your parent, relatives, or companion. We try and match the best director for the goals of your project. Every Kinwood director, producer and editor always conduct interviews with warm professionalism.

</p>

<h3>We can always do it in the future, so maybe we will think about it for now?</h3>

<p>Yes, there is no time limit. But know the best Kinwood films are made when memories are clear. We advise that if you are going to do it – do it soon.

</p>

<h3>It’s kind of expensive?</h3>

<p>

Yes – some projects can be – but no one can say it’s not without value. Clients understand that Kinwood films are forever.

Also, Kinwood recently launched a “Cloud” Film option – which is often a trade-off between premium production values vs the convenience of remote interviews. It’s also our least expensive option.

</p>

<h3>What are your geographic boundaries?</h3>

<p>

We don’t have geographic boundaries. If you have a newish laptop and decent Wi-Fi – we can do this from anywhere. Ask us how.

</p>

<p>

We don’t have geographic boundaries. If you have a newish laptop and decent Wi-Fi – we can do this from anywhere. Ask us how.

</p>

QA