Consumers Rights & Laws by Province

Consumer Protection Laws

Like any other industry in Canada, funeral service is governed by consumer protection laws. These laws regulate the boundaries of how funeral homes, cremation businesses, and cemeteries are allowed to conduct business while providing Canadian families peace of mind by clearly outlining their rights. While these regulatory measures aim to uphold a general standard of service provided by death care businesses, the specific laws vary from province to province. Some provinces have all-encompassing laws, while others choose to focus on certain components of death care. Below is an at-a-glance look at consumer protection laws in each province and territory. 

Alberta
Funeral service rights in Alberta are monitored by the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board. This organization oversees and enforces laws outlined by the Funeral Services Act and Regulations which came into effect in late 1998. For over 20 years, this act has helped the constantly growing population of Canada’s oil province navigate the funeral industry and the services available to them. 
British Columbia
The province of British Columbia is governed by Consumer Protection BC and more information can be found directly on their website. In 2004, British Columbia created the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act. which contains widespread regulations and guidelines by which funeral providers in Canada’s third most populated province must abide. 
Manitoba
Although most businesses in Manitoba must abide by the rules and regulations laid out by the Consumer Protection Office of Manitoba, funeral regulations are overseen by The Funeral Board of Manitoba. This board is responsible for administering The Funeral Directors and Embalmers Act, The Cemeteries Act, and The Prearranged Funeral Services Act.
New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, consumer affairs are governed by the Financial and Consumer Services Commission. With less legislation than other provinces, most of the regulatory measures in this province are related to pre-arranged funerals as outlined in the Pre-arranged Funerals Act of 2012. 


Newfoundland & Labrador
The funeral profession in Newfoundland and Labrador is regulated by The Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board. This organization administers the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act, which came into effect in 2008.


Northwest Territories
In the Northwest Territories, consumers can seek guidance and assistance, retroactively by contacting the Consumer Affairs Office, an arm of the Province's Department of the Municipal and Community.


Nova Scotia
The province of Nova Scotia is regulated by the Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. In Nova Scotia consumers are protected by the Cemeteries and Funeral Services act. This is one of the two main funeral industry acts in the province and serves as a means for promoting consumer rights. This includes some progressive rights including the display of lowest cost merchandise in every instance that higher-priced merchandise is also displayed. 

Nunavut
Much like the Yukon, there are no specific laws or acts governing funeral service. Instead, there are general regulations for all businesses that encompass funeral businesses as well. For more information, visit the Department of Community and Government Services for the province. 

Ontario
Ontario’s funeral industry is regulated by The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Both this and the Ministry of Government enforce the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Act of 2002. 

Prince Edward Island
In Canada’s smallest province, Funeral service and consumer rights are regulated by the Prince Edward Island Funeral Services and Professions Board. The Funeral Service and Professions Act serves as the Province’s overall governing legislation for funeral services as a whole. 

Quebec
In Quebec, the Consumer Protection Act is a collection of laws that set the bar for what consumers can expect from businesses in that province. When it comes specifically to funeral service, the province focuses specifically on Prearrangements and internments. The laws enforced are outlined in the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures of 1987. 

Saskatchewan
The province of Saskatchewan is regulated by the Funeral and Cremation Services Council of Saskatchewan. The Funeral And Cremation Services Act, which passed in 1999 is the collection of laws and regulations that keeps consumers in Saskatchewan protected while making an end of life arrangement. 

The Yukon
The Yukon does not have extensive regulations with regards to consumer protection specific to funeral service. The government of Yukon oversees the only legislation impacting funeral service specifically, this is known as the Funeral Directors Act.

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