FAQ’s

Unlike burial, cremation is irreversible. This requires us to be “extra diligent” in obtaining cremation authorization from the legally identified next-of-kin, as well as those from any necessary agencies (such as the medical examiner). During these 48-72 hours (depending on state mandated requirements); the deceased will be held in a secure, refrigerated environment.

The answer to this question is dependent on the specific crematory responsible for the care of your loved one, but generally speaking, the answer to this question is “yes”. The degree to which you can participate may differ from crematory to crematory (depending on their facilities); please speak with your funeral director if this is an issue for you, or another family member.

The FTC’s Funeral Rule guides funeral directors in the ethical and fair presentation of funeral service options. The purchase of a cremation urn (or a casket, for that matter) from a second or third party sources is one of the rights it guarantees. Your funeral director cannot prevent you from, nor can they charge you an extra fee for, the purchase of a third-party cremation urn. And they cannot demand you are present for its delivery to the funeral home.

Again, as we’ve said elsewhere, the word “should” need not be part of our conversation. There are many things you can do with their ashes–including simply taking them home with you for safekeeping. There may come a time when you know exactly what you’d like to do with them, but it may not be right now. Be patient; the right way to care for them will surface in time. After all, there are a lot of options: scattering them on land or sea is one of the most common; but you can also use the cremated remains in keepsake jewelry or to create meaningful pieces of art. As we said, there is no have-to-do; there’s only a want-to-do (and you are in complete control of it). If you’re curious about your options, just give us a call. We’ll share what we know.

Naturally, this question is best answered when we talk specifics: why type of cremator will be used? How large an individual was your loved one? Usually it takes 2 – 2 1/2 hours for the process. A cool-down period follows, and then the cremated remains are processed for a uniform appearance. Certainly, if the issue is important to you, we urge you to speak to your funeral director.

You’d be surprised how often we hear this question! Some people might choose to be undressed so as to ‘go out’ the same way they ‘came in’ to the world; but most of the time, the deceased is dressed in the clothing they’ve selected prior to their death, or chosen by family members after their passing.

It depends upon what you mean as “special”, but we do our best to accommodate the wishes of surviving family members. Most commonly, families will ask to place notes, children’s drawings, or other personal messages of love; but we’ve certainly had some unusual requests (such as the inclusion of a cherished pet’s collar or treasured keepsake). We encourage you to speak with your funeral director to learn the regulations of the specific crematory responsible for your loved one’s cremation.

Certainly not; cremation merely describes the type of physical end-of-life care you intend to provide your loved one. A commemoration service is for the living; the individuals emotionally impacted by the death deserve the same level of compassionate attention. And one of the benefits of cremation comes from the larger “window-of-opportunity” in which to plan a meaningful celebration-of-life it provides the surviving family members. Your funeral professional can guide you in making all the necessary service arrangements.

Think of the Taj Mahal in India and you’ll know exactly what a mausoleum is: it’s free-standing building (in this case not in India but on the grounds of a local cemetery), which is intended as both a monument as well as the burial location for casketed individuals. A columbarium is the same in purpose, but not in design; instead of crypt spaces large enough for a full-size casket; it features smaller niche spaces, large enough for one (or maybe two) cremation urns.

Yes, you can. The burial can be in-ground, or your loved one’s cremation urn can be placed in a columbarium niche. Speak with your funeral director to learn more about your specific cremation burial options.

Everyone deserves a dignified Simple Cremation or Simple Burial.

If the deceased does not have enough money to pay for cremation or burial, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will be pleased to consider ways to assist you and your family ! In many cases, where the deceased does not have sufficient funds to pay for a funeral, you can apply to a local municipality for financial assistance. Speak to your municipality before you sign a contract, as you may not be eligible for assistance. Usually, the municipality will limit your choice of casket, urn or grave and the services you will be able to request.

There are also Death Benefits of up to $2500 available for those who have made sufficient contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) that we can assist you to apply for after the Cremation or Burial so you will be reimbursed for many of the costs you have incurred.

Here is a list, in order, of who may act as legal representative to make decisions:

1. Estate trustee, Executor or Executrix, who is named in Will of the deceased or appointed by the court.
2. Spouse
3. Adult children

If you are the legal representative, the Provider may ask you to provide photo identification and proof of your authority, such as a will or court order, before making arrangements. To learn more visit www.ontario.ca and search the term “What to do when someone dies”

To donate organs for transplant, or the entire body for scientific research, arrangements must be made quickly and directly with health professionals. To learn more, visit the Trillium Gift of Life Network’s website at www.giftoflife.on.ca

Yes a casket in the form of a basic container is required for Cremation or Burial. Keep in mind that some caskets cannot be used for cremation, because they are made of materials that will not burn. The casket must also meet cemetery and crematorium by-laws.
Depending on the height and weight of the deceased, an oversized casket may be required and because of this, additional charges may be incurred for an oversized casket or for the services you require at the cemetery or crematorium.

In Ontario, you are not required by law to embalm a body. Embalming is not included in our Simple Cremation or Burial Packages.

Personal Care for the deceased in the form of washing, bathing and dressing is not included in our Simple Cremation or Burial Packages.

You may choose to have the deceased bathed and dressed without embalming at an additional cost starting at $300.

Alternatively, you may purchase a shroud or pouch made of vinyl or plastic or similar material in which the deceased may be placed proper to Cremation or Burial. The cost of a shroud or pouch starts at $90.

In some cases, a Provider may require the use of Personal Protective Equipment or other supplies, including a shroud or pouch, together with disinfectant or containment products, where health, professional and/or safety concerns exist with respect to the condition, transfer, care or shelter of the remains.

There are additional charges for PPE or for Complex or Infectious Cases starting at $90.

With Burial, check the cemetery’s by-laws for its specific burial requirements and the charges to buy or open or inter in the Cemetery. For burial in a grave, you may be required to pay opening charges and to purchase an outer liner to protect the casket and the integrity of the grave. This liner is placed in the ground and is usually made of concrete or fiberglass. For burial in a crypt (entombment): the casket is placed in a sealed crypt in a mausoleum. A mausoleum is usually an above-ground structure that houses a number of crypts. It is usually made of a combination of concrete, stone or marble. Not all cemeteries have mausoleums.

With Cremation, fire based or by way of alkaline hydrolysis, the deceased person’s body is reduced to an ash or granular substance. The cremated remains are then placed in a small box or urn along with a metal identification tag. You may provide your own urn or purchase one from a Provider. Check the crematorium and cemetery by-laws for the type and size of container allowed. Also remember that once you choose cremation services, you must also make arrangements for what you wish to have done with the cremated remains.

Here are some choices:

• You may buy rights to bury or scatter the cremated remains in a designated part of a cemetery. Cremated remains may only be buried in a registered cemetery. Scattering rights may not be available at all cemeteries.
• You may buy rights to place the cremated remains in a compartment in a columbarium, called a niche. A columbarium is a structure that houses a number of niches.
• You may scatter the cremated remains on private property with the consent of the land owner.
•  You may also hire a Provider to scatter the cremated remains for you. Only a Provider is permitted to charge you for the service of scattering the cremated remains.
• You may also choose to scatter the cremated remains on unoccupied Crown lands and Crown lands covered by water. For more information, visit the Bereavement Authority of Ontario at www.bereavementauthorityontario.ca.

If you wish to scatter cremated remains on municipally-owned or Conservation lands, check municipal by-laws or Conservation regulations first.

If you choose to take or transport the cremated remains out of Ontario, you must follow the laws that apply in any other province or country. Contact a Provider for assistance.

You can pay the money to the Provider to be held for you “in trust.” This means your money will be held safely for you at a bank, trust company or with an independent trustee. It will earn income over the years until it is needed to pay for the services or supplies you have requested. The income earned will be used to offset any increase in costs.
You, your legal representative or another person named in the contract may cancel your prepaid contract at any time before the services or supplies are provided, although a cancellation fee (as permitted by law) may be charged.

At the time of death, the money held in trust will be used to pay for the services and supplies set out in the contract. Costs will be based on the prices in effect at the time of death. If prices have gone up, the income (interest or growth) is used to offset the increase in costs. If you have a guaranteed contract, you (or your Estate) will not be asked to pay more for the services or supplies you prepaid, as long as you have met all the terms of your contract. Taxes and Disbursements are not guaranteed. You (or your Estate) will have to pay extra for any services, supplies or taxes that were not included in the prepaid contract.

Ontario law protects your prepaid money in several ways:

• When you prepay, your Provider must give you a contract that states the total amount of money you have paid now and the terms of payment for any balance you owe.
• If you prepay with a funeral establishment or transfer service, your money is protected by a compensation fund. The fund is used to give back money to consumers if, in rare cases, their prepaid money is not available when it is needed. The fund will cover losses only if you prepaid with a licensed funeral establishment or transfer service.
• If you choose to place money in trust for prepaid services or supplies, the Provider is restricted by law to choose very safe investments. You are entitled to know at least once each year where and how the money is invested and how much money you have in your trust account. You may ask the Provider for this information.