Resources about veteran’s funerals, whole-body donation, Medical Examiner deaths, and alternative funeral options.
A guide to understanding the differences in cost between burial and cremation services. Quick chart comparisons & key info to help compare and benefit to save on funeral prices in Canada.
An introduction to the diversity of Indigenous funeral and memorial traditions across Canada — exploring the cultural significance of death, mourning, and honouring the deceased in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
A compassionate guide to grief support resources available in Canada — including national helplines, online communities, provincial programs, and guidance for bereaved children and families.
A compassionate guide to funeral and memorial etiquette in Canada — covering dress codes, what to say to the bereaved, appropriate behaviour at services, and gift giving.
Everything Canadian families need to know about obtaining a death certificate — including who issues them, how many you need, and the process in each province and territory.
A comprehensive, up-to-date guide to average funeral costs across Canada in 2026 — covering traditional funerals, cremation, green burial, and the key factors that affect what you pay.
A practical step-by-step guide for Canadian families on what to do immediately after a death — from notifying authorities to arranging the funeral or cremation.
When a loved one is in the final stages of life, your focus is naturally on comfort, legacy, and saying goodbye. Most Canadian families have a general plan in mind—perhaps a quiet service and a preference for affordable cremation. It seems straightforward enough. You imagine that when the time comes, you’ll have a few days … Read more
The Law, Ethics, and the Ongoing National Conversation Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has become one of the most significant and debated developments in Canadian healthcare, law, and ethics over the past decade. Introduced to provide an option for individuals suffering intolerably at the end of life, MAID has since expanded in scope and complexity, … Read more
Cremation is now the most popular choice for final disposition in Canada, with a national cremation rate exceeding 75%. For many families, the decision comes down to one practical question: how much does cremation actually cost? The answer depends on the type of service, the province, and the provider — and the differences can be … Read more
We get asked this a lot here at Canadian Funerals. A funeral can be a big expense, especially if you are not prepared for it. However, it is important to remember that a dignified funeral does not have to cost you a fortune. How much you pay for funeral services does not reflect how much … Read more
This short guide aims to answer some of the questions you may have if the deceased is taken to the Medical Examiner’s, including how to go about making funeral arrangements and any further considerations you might have. In general, the Medical Examiner will attempt to determine: the identity of the deceased the date and place … Read more
Why choose whole body donation? Many Canadians today are becoming much more open to the option of donating their body to science. This openness about what death means brings with it new values, preferences, and opinions that are changing traditions and creating funeral alternatives. People want alternatives to funeral arrangements and choices concerning the final … Read more
Funeral Service Association of Canada6-14845 Yonge Street, Suite 192Aurora, ONL4G 6H8Tel: 1-866-841-7779Fax: (905) 841-0997 Corporation des Thanatologues du Quebec3340, rue de la Perade, Bureau 200Sainte-Foy, QuebecG1X 2L7Tel: (418) 653-9102Fax: (418) 653-3580 British Columbia Funeral Service Association1551 Pandora AvenueVictoria, British ColumbiaV8R 6P9Tel: (604) 592-3213Fax: (604) 592-4362Toll Free: 1-800-665-3899 New Brunswick Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association515 Everard … Read more
To some extent, the public does not always understand or appreciate the many tasks associated with arranging for the final disposition of human remains and coordinating a meaningful ceremony for the deceased. A funeral director can complete numerous tasks that can occupy up to 80 hours. The services and human resources of a funeral home … Read more
Can you do your own post-death care and funeral arrangements? In the simplest words, ‘yes’. Before the 20th century, it was common for people or communities to take care of their own dead — both before and after death. Most people died at home, supported by friends, faith communities, or the local midwife (who often … Read more
