Funerals, Average Cost Breakdown, and Cremation Costs in Ontario, Canada

Have you decided and made it clear as to what you want to take place when you die? Do you want to be buried or cremated? Do want a funeral service? Do want your final resting place to be in a cemetery or ashes scattered? This is something we all need to think about and discuss with our loved ones. Recording it somewhere should also be done.

With the cost of everything rising these days, so many people are opting out of having a funeral service. For many it is due to the cost. In Ontario Canada the average funeral costs are anywhere between 5 and 7 thousand dollars. This does not include grave plots, and depending on where you are buried can cost upwards from one thousand to 5 thousand or more. Grave markers and head stones are an addition cost and prices vary quite a bit.

Funeral Service costs will usually include

• Embalming
• A Visitation room for people to come and pay their final respects
• Funeral Service
• Graveside ceremony

Merchandise

• Caskets, Vaults and Urns if cremated 
• All of the above costs will vary on what is purchased

Disbursement

• Flowers
•  Announcements in Newspapers

There are various reasons why people choose cremation over burial. Cremation costs are far less expensive. An inexpensive casket can be purchased for $1000.00 whereas an urn is $150.00. There is no need to purchase a grave plot and ashes can be either kept or scattered. The cremation itself can cost as low as $1600.00 that includes transportation of the deceased, provincial registration, death certificates, basic container for the ashes, coroner’s cremation certificate and taxes.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave bereft

I am not there. I have not left.

written in 1932

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Memorial services are becoming more popular as the years go on.  For many people that do not have a funeral service there is usually a Memorial Service for them. To remember, share memories, gather to celebrate the person’s life and honor the deceased. Sometimes eulogies will be given.  Memorial Services are held in churches, halls and peoples homes. If someone dies suddenly and has many members that cannot attend a funeral service having a memorial service is a good idea.

When my Dad died he had requested that there not be a funeral for him and he wanted to be cremated. Two months after he died we held a memorial service for him. It was actually quite nice as many family members were able to attend. Everyone brought pictures of my dad and we all sat around telling stories about him. For me, this gave me final closure.

Please note that this hub was written in April of 2011. The actual costs may go up or down depending on many factors.