Your rights when arranging a funeral in Ontario.
Ontario law gives you important protections — including the right to purchase a casket from any supplier, with no handling fee permitted.
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“If the Provider allows you to provide your own casket, the Provider cannot charge you an extra fee.”
This protection is established under Ontario’s Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) and enforced by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
The law is on your side.
Most Ontario families don’t know they have the legal right to purchase a casket from any supplier they choose. The Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act — and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario that enforces it — exist specifically to protect consumers in some of their most vulnerable moments.
Here’s what the law actually says, in plain language.
No handling fee for outside caskets
If you purchase a casket from a third-party supplier like Casket Mart, your funeral home cannot charge you an extra "handling fee" simply for accepting it. The only grounds on which a funeral home may refuse an outside casket is if it is unsafe, inappropriate for its intended use, or fails to meet the requirements of the cemetery or crematorium.
Source: FBCSA + BAO Consumer Information GuideYou must receive a written price list
Before signing any contract, a licensed funeral home is required by law to provide you with a written price list. They are also required to post this list publicly on their website, along with a copy of the BAO's Consumer Information Guide. If a funeral home isn't being transparent about pricing upfront, that's a red flag.
Source: FBCSA s.48Embalming is not legally required
Embalming is not required by law in Ontario in most circumstances. A funeral home may recommend it based on timing or other factors, but you have the right to decline. Ask them to explain the process and their reasoning before agreeing.
Source: BAO Consumer Information GuideYou can compare providers
The BAO recommends speaking with more than one funeral provider before making a decision. You are not obligated to commit to the first funeral home you speak with. Take your time, ask questions, and compare.
Source: BAO Consumer Information GuidePrepaid contracts are price-guaranteed
All prepaid funeral contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2012 must be guaranteed — meaning you or your family will not be asked to pay more for the agreed supplies or services, even if prices have risen. Taxes are not guaranteed.
Source: FBCSA s.54You can cancel a contract
In most cases, you can cancel a funeral contract in writing before the supplies or services have been provided. The funeral home is then required to refund payment for anything not yet delivered within 30 days.
Source: FBCSA s.55Your consumer checklist at the funeral home.
Take this list with you — or keep it saved — when meeting with a funeral provider.