Learn more about Cremation Help with our Frequently Asked Questions section.
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.
- Estate trustee, Executor or Executrix, who is named in Will of the deceased or appointed by the court.
- Spouse
- 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”
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.
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.
There are additional charges for PPE or for Complex or Infectious Cases starting at $90.
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.
- 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, 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.
- 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.