Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is your price so much less than other funeral establishments?
2. Is Basic Funerals a Funeral Home?
3. Is this an apples to apples comparison with other funeral homes?
4. How are you different from a funeral home?
5. What is involved with direct cremation?
6. Do I have to pay for Proof of Death Certificates?
7. Is embalming required by law?
8. Can I see the deceased one last time before cremation?
9. What if we want a viewing or to witness the start of the cremation?
10. Will we ever be required to identify our loved one before cremation?
11. Is scattering cremated remains illegal?
12. Are we required to purchase an urn for the cremated remains?
13. What can be done with the cremated remains?
14. Definitions of Funeral Terms?

1. Why is your price so much less than other funeral establishments? - Back to Top

Simply, we have a very efficient model and instead of basing our business on extremely high margins, we instead serve as many families as possible resulting in our overhead costs being spread out over a larger group than an individual funeral home. Since we do serve so many families, our professionalism and care when dealing with those families is the most widely recognized in the province. Again, this is only part of the reason and the other part is that we strive to make our prices as fair as possible. 

2. Is Basic Funerals a Funeral Home? - Back to Top

In a technical sense, yes, because all funeral homes in the province of Ontario require a license as an Ontario Funeral Establishment. Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices is a licensed Ontario funeral establishment and what this means is that we are allowed to perform any and all funeral services with our licensed Ontario funeral directors. 

3. Is this an apples to apples comparison with other funeral homes? - Back to Top

When it comes to something like a basic cremation, it is absolutely an apples to apples comparison except for the fact that Basic Funerals makes things much easier and more affordable. When it comes to a traditional funeral service, it’s imperative to understand what is important to you. Is a funeral service in a traditional funeral home as memorable as holding the service in a beautiful location like the Estates of Sunnybrook. In this instance, it is not an apples to apples comparison because the Estates of Sunnybrook would be more elegant and affordable through Basic Funerals. 

4. How are you different from a funeral home? - Back to Top

What makes us different is that we don’t own and operate a traditional funeral home location. By not having to maintain our own property, we realize significant cost savings that we pass on to our customers. We are recognized in Ontario as being a leader in services such as, direct cremation, direct burial, and memorial services. In addition, many families are discovering that we also provide the most caring and meaningful traditional funeral services. It is important to note that most funeral homes do not prefer to perform direct cremation and burial services due to the fact that it is a low cost service. Basic Funerals is proud to perform these services for families.

5. What is involved with direct cremation? - Back to Top

Direct cremation involves transporting the deceased from the place of death, placing the deceased in a cremation casket, and transportation to the crematorium for cremation. The arrangements for all necessary registrations with the government and coroner must be completed, including supplying death certificates to the family, and our funeral directors will help you complete these forms.

6. Do I have to pay for Proof of Death Certificates? - Back to Top

No, our price includes as many certificates that you require. In most cases, between 10 and 20 certificates are needed to settle an estate but it is important to realize that many funeral establishments do charge for more than 5 certificates. Again, Basic Funerals does not charge for Proof of Death Certificates.

7. Is embalming required by law? - Back to Top

No, embalming is not required by law in any Canadian province. Embalming may be the policy of a particular funeral home when you are having a visitation or open casket service, however it is not required by law. We are one of the few funeral establishments that offer alternative preparation for a viewing, which is less expensive and offers a dignified option.

8. If I choose direct cremation can I see the deceased one last time before cremation? - Back to Top

Yes, family members often feel that they would like to see the deceased one last time before cremation. We would never restrict a family from the right to say good bye one last time. This service is called an “Identification” and we offer this option to each family at the place of cremation.

9. What if we want a viewing or to witness the start of the cremation? - Back to Top

A viewing of the cremation, or witnessing the start of the cremation can be accommodated, and the Basic Funerals staff will arrange this with the crematorium with sufficient notice. The crematorium may require an additional fee for the extra work and use of their viewing room.

10. Will we ever be required to identify our loved one before cremation? - Back to Top

No, we would never require you to do something you do not want to do. We appreciate your right to remember your loved one the way you want to.

11. Is scattering cremated remains illegal? - Back to Top

It is generally not illegal to scatter cremated remains in Ontario, however please check with your municipality to ensure there are no by-laws related to the scattering of cremated remains in your area. If scattering on private property, permission from the property owner is all that is needed. Families have been told otherwise, sometimes for the purposes of selling an urn or cemetery plot. If you are told that it is "illegal" to scatter cremated remains, please ask that person to show you the appropriate legislation.

12. Are we required to purchase an urn for the cremated remains? - Back to Top

No, you do not have to purchase an urn. Cremated remains come in a sealed plastic bag, which is placed inside a plastic or cardboard container depending on the crematorium. This container is also suitable for burying or scattering the remains.

13. What can be done with the cremated remains? - Back to Top

Deciding what to do with the cremated remains is a decision that must be made. Some families keep the cremated remains in their homes, while others inter in a cemetery. Still others prefer to scatter either in a cemetery or in a personal location such as a cottage or other appropriate place.

Usually when a family decides to keep the cremated remains at home they will put them into an urn or other ornamental container to properly represent them in their home environment. We offer a large selection of urns that range in material, complexity and price.

Interring in a cemetery could include burial of cremated remains in an urn garden or burial in an already existing grave. Most cemetery plots will accept up to three urns even when a casket has already been placed within the plot.

Placing urns in a niche of a columbarium is also becoming a more popular means of final disposition. A columbarium is a large wall and a niche is one of many small compartments in the wall. There are niches that have glass fronts to allow you to see the urn that has been placed inside. Columbarium come in many different varieties and can be either indoor, outdoor, or both.

If you are not scattering in a cemetery, please choose a location very wisely. You want to find somewhere that you can associate with that person for many years to come. A beautiful park where two people may have first met could feel like an ideal place to scatter the remains. However, with our world always changing, that beautiful park could one day become a large condominium complex and this may not be an appropriate final disposition.

14. Definitions of Funeral Terms- Back to Top

Cremation - The rapid oxidation of the deceased through the application of intense heat and flame reducing the remains to bone fragments (not ashes) within a few hours.

Cremation Container - A casket like container into which the deceased is placed for the purpose of cremation. The container eases the handling of the deceased for the crematorium operator and preserves the dignity of the deceased. Cremation containers are made of many different products ranging from simple cardboard to the most exotic types of wood.

Cremation Urn - A cremation urn is the vessel into which the cremated remains are placed after cremation. An urn can be a simple plastic box or it can be made of more ornate materials such as wood, bronze, brass or marble. It can even be made of biodegradable materials that join with the earth after time.

Professional Services - Includes the initial call, service arrangements, various clerical duties and the funeral directors' statement of death.

Registration and Documentation - The preparation of legal documents for the purpose of registering with the Province of Ontario and the delivery of permits and documents as required by law.

Transportation - The transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral facility.

Shelter - Sheltering of the deceased at the funeral facility until time of disposition.

Embalming - The disinfection, preservation, and restoration of human remains for the purpose of viewing. This is done solely at the family's discretion.

Direct Cremation - The simplest form of funeral service available. This type of service provides only the basics. It is the decision of choice when a family wishes to have a cremation performed but do not wish to have any type of formal funeral or memorial service.

Memorial Service - For the family that wishes to have the cremation performed and have a service conducted afterwards, usually with the urn present. The funeral home is generally involved in the arrangements of these services, but if families so wish they may arrange the service on their own. The funeral home can provide the basics such as service folders, register books, flowers and catering whether or not they attend the memorial service.

Traditional Service - The deceased is present at the service in a casket with cremation or burial following the service. Caskets may be purchased or rented for this type of service.