Funeral Services Explained
Minimum Services
The Minimum Services charge represents the minimum non-declinable services required to facilitate the disposition of a deceased person, whether by cremation, or burial.
This minimum service charge is applicable to every family we serve and includes transferring the deceased from the place of death (or Coroner's Office, hospital, airport, etc.) to our holding room, where the deceased will be placed in a casket of your choosing and securely held until the necessary documentation is completed for burial, or cremation as applicable. Once the required documentation is ready (i.e. death has been registered and if applicable, the coroner's certificate for cremation has been obtained), the deceased is transported in a service van or SUV to the cemetery, or crematorium facility at the earliest practicable opportunity or at a scheduled time, as applicable. Additional fees may apply for mileage beyond 50km, pacemaker/radioactive implant removal and pallbearers (burial only).
What is not included in the Minimum Service charge:
- any supplies, such as casket, outer burial container, urn, stationery, etc.
- any additional services that may be selected, such as pallbearers for interment, embalming, visitation and funeral services.
- additional mileage fees beyond 50km
- pacemaker/radioactive implant removal, if applicable
- applicable taxes (HST)
- disbursements to be paid to third parties on your behalf, such as the cemetery interment fee, crematorium fee, coroner's fee, death registration fee, etc. as described below.
Minimum required disbursements, as applicable:
Cremation fee charged by crematorium: ......................................................................................................$706.25
(We will arrange cremation with any crematorium, but we suggest Evergreen Crematorium)
Coroner’s fee (required for cremation/alkaline hydrolysis/out of province shipments only): ...............$75.00
Interment fee charged by the cemetery to open and close the grave: ..................... Price varies by cemetery
Death registration fee charged by the local municipality: ........................................................................ $35.00
(charged in all cases where the death occurs in Ontario)
Bereavement Authority of Ontario (Consumer Protection Fee)…………………………………………...............$30.00
Additional Service Options
We offer the following additional services, which are optional:
Additional body preparation services
It is our policy that human remains be identified whenever possible. The identification may be made by anyone who knew the deceased, including a relative, friend, neighbor, co-worker, or clergy person. While identification of a body is possible with the minimum required preparation, you may wish to consider opting for “basic preparation of remains” or embalming, as it might afford a more peaceful final viewing experience. Embalming is not legally required but may be recommended to preserve the body between the time of death and final disposition. One of our funeral directors will be able to guide you on preparation options and make recommendations based on the condition of the body and the expected service needs.
Visitation
These are informal gathering periods that allow family and friends to come and pay their respects and offer comfort to a grieving family. Suggested visiting hours are 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and/or 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.).
Funeral services
This includes services, rites and ceremonies with the body present in a casket. A funeral service can be religious or non-denominational and can be held in various places, including in our chapel, at a place of worship, a venue such as a club or hall, or at the graveside.
Memorial services or celebrations of life
This is a service to commemorate the deceased, which takes place after the body has been cremated. The cremated remains may or may not be present, as preferred by you; a framed portrait and personal mementos might also serve as a focal point during the memorial service.
Receptions
We offer a beautiful facility in which families may gather and receive guests for a luncheon after the funeral or memorial service. Our reception room accommodates up to 200 people.
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND FEES
Any services marked with an asterisk (*) are the minimum services required to carry out a direct burial, or cremation. Services such as embalming, visitation, ceremonies and receptions are optional. You may choose only the services you desire.
*Professional and staff services(for Minimum Services)……………………………………$840.00
Professional consultation with licensed personnel, including but not limited to expert advice on options to meet your needs, drafting notices, and advice regarding possible government benefits. Also included are overhead expenses such as maintenance and utilities, accounting and office administration, insurance and 24-hour access to emergency assistance.
*Co-ordinating activities, rites, ceremonies(for Minimum Services)……………………$350.00
Coordination of all activities before, during and after they have been provided by us, and those provided by third-party suppliers, such as the cemetery, crematorium, and media outlets (death notices).
OR
Professional and staff services
(for visitation and/or services)………………………………………………………………….$1090.00
Professional consultation with licensed personnel, including but not limited to expert advice on options to meet your needs, drafting notices, and advice regarding possible government benefits. Also included are overhead expenses such as maintenance and utilities, accounting and office administration, insurance and 24-hour access to emergency assistance.
Co-ordinating activities, rites, ceremonies
(for visitation and/or services)…………………………………………………………….$500.00
Coordination of all activities, rites, and ceremonies before, during and after they have been provided by us, and those provided by third-party suppliers, such as the cemetery, crematorium, florists, and media outlets (death notices).
*Documentation……………………………………………………………………………………$400.00
Completion and filing of all documents necessary to carry out the services and supplies requested, including, but not limited to death registration, burial permit, coroner’s certificate, clergy record where required, cremation application or interment permission form. Third-party fees charged for these documents are not included and are itemized below on page 9. We also provide 10 Proof of Death certificates for estate settlement purposes. Proof of Death certificates are provided to the deceased’s authorized representative as a service only and are not a legal government document; however, they are usually accepted for most estate settlement purposes. Sometimes a provincial “Certified Death Certificate” will be necessary and is available for purchase from the Office of the Registrar General, or through us as a disbursement.
*Minimum preparation of remains
(requires “Facilities for preparation/embalming/shelter/refrigeration)………………………$245.00
This service is a minimum requirement. The body is checked for personal effects (which will be returned to the authorized representative, unless otherwise instructed) and placed into the casket or cremation container selected, for identification or viewing without embalming.
OR
Embalming (requires “Facilities for preparation/embalming/shelter”)……$415.00
Embalming is the process of replacing blood and bodily fluids with chemical preservatives. It is a process of sanitation, restoration, and temporary preservation. This service includes those described in “Basic preparation of remains” above.
Embalming (Autopsy)………………………$615.00
Staff services for visitation………………………………$435.00
Staff to coordinate and oversee the visitation for a period of up to 4 hours. Includes but is not limited to setting up the room/area (floral arrangements, pictures, memorabilia, casket/urn), cleaning and sanitizing, answering phones, greeting and directing visitors, supervision of parking, provision of lounge services (coffee, tea, light snacks) and processing donations. For visitation periods prior to a ceremony, this charge covers the time from the beginning of visitation up to the start of the ceremony, even if the staff present are the same staff provided for the ceremony.
Staff services for ceremony……………………………$455.00
At least one licensed funeral director and assistants to coordinate and oversee the ceremony in our chapel or other location for up to 3 hours. Includes setting up the room/area (floral arrangements, pictures, memorabilia, casket/urn, cleaning, and sanitizing), greeting and directing visitors, supervision of parking.
Staff services for graveside service…………………………………$500.00
At least one funeral director and staff to coordinate and oversee the graveside committal service (if services are not performed through our funeral home).
The above two charges are from the time the funeral service begins to the final disposition at the cemetery / crematorium facility and are separate from staff services for visitation, even if the staff present are the same staff that were present for the visitation.
FACILITIES
*Facilities for preparation/embalming/shelter/refrigeration………………………………$440.00
A secure and private room used to prepare, embalm, and/or shelter the body until the time of burial, cremation, or alternative disposition. This charge applies whenever the body is in our facility. If the deceased is to be held in our facility beyond a period of 10 days, a daily body storage fee of $30.00 may apply.
Facilities for visitation (requires Staff services for visitation)…………$645.00
Use of designated facilities for visitation for up to 4 hours. This charge is from the beginning of visitation up to the start of the ceremony, even if the ceremony is in the same room. Catering is not included and details are provided later.
Facilities for ceremony: (requires Staff services for ceremony)…………$400.00
Use of designated facilities for the funeral service (body/casket is present) or memorial service (urn/cremated may or may not be present) for up to 3 hours. This charge is from the time the funeral service begins to the conclusion of the ceremony or final disposition at the cemetery and is separate from Facilities for visitation, even if the visitation was immediately before and in the same room.
TRANSPORTATION
*Initial transfer of remains ................................................................................................ $245.00
Vehicle, trained staff and specialized equipment used to transfer remains into our care from the place of death or Coroner’s Office, hospital, airport, etc. Additional mileage fees apply beyond 50 km.
Clergy / lead vehicle ........................................................................................................... $315.00
Used to transport funeral director and/or clergy to location of service and/or place of final disposition.
*Final transfer of remains
Vehicle and staff to transfer the deceased to the final place of disposition
*Using a service van or SUV ............................................................................................... $395.00
Using a funeral coach (hearse) ............................................................................................ $400.00
Family car / limousine ....................................................................................... $400.00 Base Cost
Additional mileage ............................................................................................................ $2.00/km
Charge per kilometer (one way) for use of any vehicle over a 50 km radius
OTHER SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
Stationary / Tribute Supplies ............................................................................................. $350.00
Includes up to 100 memorial cards, memorial book, video, 1 pkg. of thank you cards
PhotoTribute……………………………$25.00
Personalized tribute video of your loved one, placed on a wood USB.
Memorial Cards (per 50)………………$75.00
Personalized memorial cards – can include pictures, poems, death notice.
Bookmarks…………………$5.00 each
Laminated bookmarks with death notice and picture
Memorial Book with Personalization………………$100.00
Memorial Book with pictures included through-out, death notice, and poems
Order of Service ($50.00 set-up fee)…………………………$1.50/page
Order of Service with Main photo of front, service details, can include hymns, death notice etc.
Acknowledgement Cards (box of 25) ……………………………………$32.00
A box of 25 acknowledgement cards for you to personalize.
Monument / Inscriptions……………………$Varies
Private Family Viewing
A private gathering of immediate family to view and identify the deceased. This intimate gathering is limited to 10 family members for a maximum of 1 hour. This does not include a ceremony or public visitation.
Facilities for Private Family Viewing ............................................................................ $250.00
Use of a designated room for a Private Family Viewing for 1 hour
Cemetery Arrangements and Staff Present at Interment of Cremated Remains (local).$250.00
Out of Town………………………………………………………………………………………….$350.00
Applies for Immediate Cremation Only
Staff Services for Visitation (each additional 2 hours)………………………………………$225.00
Staff to co-ordinate and oversee the visitation (informal gathering) for a period of up to 2 hours
Reception
Facilities for a gathering where food and beverages are to be served. Catering is additional. We offer a variety of menus to choose from. Coffee, tea, dishware, cutlery and use of the kitchen are included. Serving alcohol requires a Smart-Server which will be provided by us at the cost of $150.00 to you.
Facilities for reception: ................................................................................................. $800.00
Use of the reception room for up to 3 hours, when Cremation/Funeral Services have taken place at a different location, if a reception has not been included on your Prepaid Contract, or Graveside Service when funeral home facility is not being used for services. Includes setup and clean-up.
Hostess Services………………………………………………up to 50 ppl $250.00 HST exempt.
up to 100 ppl $350.00 HST exempt. up to 200 ppl $450.00 HST exempt.
Smart-Server ...................................................................................$150.00 HST exempt.
One Smart-Server required per 50 people
Catering Services .......................................................................... $13.00/person
Our catering services are provided by Mochaberry Coffee located in Orangeville. A menu is included on page #14-15.
Contagious Disease Handling…………………………………………......$150.00
Includes full PPE for 2 staff, supplies and equipment as needed.
*Removal of pacemakers or other implants ...................................................................... $50.00
This procedure is mandatory prior to cremating a body that has a pacemaker or other implant and must be carried out by a licensed funeral director. Includes disposal of device. If a person was undergoing brachytherapy (radioactive theraseeds) or radioisotope treatments before death,
it is possible that the deceased may not be able to be cremated; please speak with one of our funeral directors for more information.
Professional restorative procedures .......................................................................... $40.00/hour
In some circumstances, additional restorative efforts beyond those captured in the standard embalming procedure are necessary to enhance the appearance of the deceased. In such cases, the funeral director will discuss the available options and their cost. Professional restorative procedures will be charged per hour.
Hairdressing ....................................................................................................................... $ Varies
While basic hairstyling is included in the Embalming fee, cut and/or color services are additional.
Refundable Deposit for Cremated Remains ..................................................................... $350.00
When human remains are to be cremated, payment of a refundable deposit may be required. If the cremated remains are not claimed within one year of the cremation, the deposit may be used to inter the cremated remains in common ground in a cemetery of the funeral home’s choosing. If the cremated remains are claimed before they are interred, the deposit will be refunded.
Scattering of cremated remains
We will scatter cremated remains in accordance with Ontario and municipal laws and by-laws. For more information on scattering, you may refer to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Consumer Information Guide or speak with one of our licensees.
Scattering of cremated remains…………………………………………………………$200.00
Completed by a licensed funeral director.
DISBURSEMENTS
Disbursements are items arranged for and possibly paid for on your behalf by the funeral home to third party providers. Any prices quoted in this section are subject to change without notice. Such items include but are not limited to:
Cremation fee – Adult Standard: ..........................................$706.25(HST Incl.)
This fee is charged by the crematorium for the cremation of the body. (Evergreen Crematorium, Milton, Ontario)
Cremation fee – Adult Oversize: ...........................................$932.25(HST Incl.)
This fee is charged by the crematorium for the cremation of the body. (Evergreen Crematorium, Milton, Ontario)
Cremation fee – Child (1-12 years): ......................................$141.25(HST Incl.)
This fee is charged by the crematorium for the cremation of the body. (Evergreen Crematorium, Milton, Ontario)
Expedited Cremation within 24 hours: ..............................$146.90(HST Incl.)
This fee is charged by the crematorium for the cremation of the body, this is in addition to the charges above. (Evergreen Crematorium, Milton, Ontario)
Crematorium Witness Fee: ...................................................$254.25(HST Incl.)
This fee is charged by the crematorium and is in addition to the charges above. (Evergreen Crematorium, Milton, Ontario)
Staff Present for Witness at Crematorium: .....................$350.00(HST Incl.)
One staff member to transfer the remains to the crematorium, where they will stay to witness the cremation process with family present or no family present.
**We will arrange cremation with any crematorium, but we suggest Evergreen Crematorium**
Bereavement Authority of Ontario: ..................$30.00(HST exempt)
Consumer protection fee
Coroner’s fee: ...........................................................$75.00(HST exempt)
This is a provincially set fee charged by the coroner for issuing a certificate that allows cremation/alternative disposition or ‘Out of Province’ shipping to take place.
Interment fee: .........................................................$ Varies
This fee is charged by the cemetery for the opening and closing of the grave. The fee varies by cemetery and by the size and depth of the grave.
Municipal death registration fee: ........................$35.00(HST exempt)
This is a fee charged by the local municipality to register the death on behalf of the Province of Ontario. The municipality issues a burial permit, then forwards the registration documents to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay.
Clergy / church / celebrant / musician honorarium(s): ...........$ Varies (HST exempt)
This is an amount paid to the clergy, church, celebrant and/or musician for their services. In some cases, the amount is set by the third-party, in others it is an amount to be determined by you.
Media notices: .............................................$ Varies
These are charges for death notices in newspapers, radio stations or other media outlets.
Winter Holding Fee: ...................................$ Varies by Cemetery
This fee is charged when a decedent is to be held over the winter months (if cemetery closes during the winter) for burial in the Spring.