Licensing and FBCSA Information

After obtaining the required training and experience, how would one open a funeral home? Where do you get help writing a business plan for a funeral home?

In Ontario, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is responsible for licensing funeral professionals and funeral homes.

They also enforce the legislation governing the funeral profession. The BAO can provide you with a pre-licensing information package about establishing a funeral home in Ontario. Simply contact the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) at:
 647-483-2645  
 844-493-6356 (Toll Free) 
  info@thebao.ca

Visit BAO Website 

Licenses

In the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act 2002 (FBCSA) there are many classes of licenses for the bereavement sector.

Funeral Director Class 1 authorizes the performing of embalming.
Funeral Director Class 2 does not authorize performing of embalming. 
Funeral Pre-Planner authorizes the performing of making pre-arrangements.

There are two classes of licenses for funeral directors as someone may choose one license over the other for personal, religious or cultural reasons. The following are examples that may help to illustrate the need for two licenses.

• Some religions and cultures forbid embalming. Someone choosing a career path that would involve primarily such groups may not have need for embalming skills;
• If an individual's faith or personal beliefs forbid embalming, they should not be required to learn the skills and techniques required to embalm a dead human body, nor should they be required to perform such procedures.

For more information about multicultural funeral customs, contact your local funeral home or the Ontario Funeral Service Association for a copy of their brochure, Multicultural Funeral Practices.

FBCSA Resources