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What do I need to know about funerals in Ontario?
It’s not mandatory to use a funeral home or to have a funeral, but Ontario has strict rules around how a person’s remains are handled, registered and disposed of after death.
The process of planning a funeral following the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. If you choose a funeral service provider, the funeral director will help you arrange everything from planning and choosing the funeral and cemetery products to cancelling various government IDs and accounts for your loved one. You will still need to handle some financial aspects of the process.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you make arrangements.
What do I do when someone dies?
In Ontario, when a loved one dies, there are certain steps you must take first before you can begin to make arrangements.
Organ and Body Donation
If you believe that your loved one wanted to donate their organs or body, you should contact the Trillium Gift of Life Network Provincial Resource Centre or call 1-877-263-2833 as soon as possible for organ and tissue donation. It is a good idea for people who want to become organ donors to register online in advance.
Or you can learn more about whole-body donation on the Ontario.ca website.
How can I find a funeral service provider?
Funeral service, transfer service, or crematorium service providers must be licensed. No matter which option you choose, a service provider must provide you with various options and price lists.
You can find a listing of service providers on the Ontario Funeral Service Association website.
Who has the legal right to make decisions for the deceased?
One of the first things you must determine after someone dies is who has the authority to decide what will happen to the person's body. Below is a list, in order, of who may act as legal representatives:
- The estate trustee (also known as the executor) named in the will.
- Spouse
- Adult children
If none of the above applies, the court will appoint an administrator of the estate. This can be costly and time-consuming. You may wish to obtain legal advice before making any plans.
When there is no will, or a person dies “intestate,” they do not get to pre-determine who will administer their estate, what type of funeral arrangements they will have and how their assets will be divided. It is advisable to have a will in place so that your loved ones can honour your last wishes.
How much does a funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral can vary considerably and depends a lot on the type of funeral services you choose and whether the person is buried or cremated. On the lower side, a funeral and burial can start at $15,000.00.
Service fees generally cover:
- Funeral home staff
- Transportation from the place of death, procession, lead car and funeral coach.
- The facility's general use, visitation room and setup
- Mass or ceremony, depending on the religious background
- Embalming (if chosen)
- Cremation (if chosen)
- The funeral service
- Flower services
- Reception and catering (if applicable)
*This list is not exhaustive; more services may be included, and each service has its own additional fee or cost
Supplies fees cover:
- Casket or urn
- Prayer or commemorative cards for the ceremony
- Digital tributes for slide shows or other forms of ceremonial presentations
It’s advisable to compare pricing. You don’t need to accept all the products the funeral home sells. Consumer protection in Canada allows you to purchase most funeral merchandise on your own. Check with the funeral director to confirm which products are acceptable to purchase separately. For example, you may choose to purchase a casket or urn from any retailer and have it delivered separately to the funeral home. Any items purchased separately would be removed from the overall “supplies fees” list.
Burial details will increase your expenses.
Is financial assistance available?
If you do not have enough money to cover the funeral costs, you may be eligible for financial assistance through your local municipality. Look for “financial funeral supports” in your town or city before you sign any contracts to see what costs, if any, might be covered.
What if the deceased died outside of Ontario?
The funeral home you choose will need to coordinate with a funeral professional at the place of death and arrange for the preparation of the body for shipping back to Ontario. For more detailed information, you can read the A Guide to Death Care in Ontario.
Do I have to use a funeral home or a transfer service?
You or your family may move the body or organize services yourselves. However, you must involve a cemetery or crematorium for burial or cremation. If you are going to move a body out of Ontario, speak to a funeral home or transfer service. If a body is being moved in or out of Ontario, the law requires that it be embalmed.
What can you do with cremated remains?
You can choose to keep the remains in an urn or scatter the remains. More details on regulations can be found on the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement website.
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Last updated:
August 14, 2026
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