Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1955-2000 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
45 cm of textual records
small artifact material
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Christian Burial Benefit Society (CBBS) began in 1955 in Winnipeg when some pastors and laymen decided to form an organization that would share the funeral costs of fellow Christians. The first executive consisted of Jacob B. Klassen, as chairman, A. J. Bergen as vice-chairman and J. P. Unrau, as secretary. The CBBS was not an insurance organization. The aim of the Society was to mutually share the burden of funeral expenses, with fellow believers as outlined in the New Testament in Galatians 6:2. "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." The fees were very low, and there was a schedule that set fees depending on age. The number of members began to diminish during the 1990s and a decision was made in June 1999 to liquidate the Society. The remaining funds were divided between the remaining members. The final cheque was dated February 21, 2000.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
John A. Thiessen - last chairman of the board.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Christian Burial Benefit Society fonds includes its constitution, lists of members, account information, minutes of the board and membership, annual reports, correspondence, death certificates, applications, cancellations, ledgers of expenses and copies of some receipts and cheques. These records relate to how a group of Christians (mainly of Mennonite background) practiced the mutual sharing of funeral expenses incurred by their families during the last half of the 20th Century in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, including how the vision began and how the decision to terminate was made.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Described by Christie Anne McCullough April 9, 2010
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Inventory file list (Volume 5444)
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Acc. No. 2000-084