Now more than ever, Canadians are choosing cremation for their end-of-life arrangements. Its affordability and simplicity have made it more common than traditional burials.
What is the Average Cost of Cremation?
Many factors contribute to the price of cremation, and it’s essential to understand these to prevent unanticipated additional costs. We’ve created this guide to go over the options with clarity in mind.
Cost of Cremation vs Burial - What's the Difference?
In most cases, cremation is considerably more affordable than a burial. This is because, with cremation, fewer services are required. On average, a cremation in Canada can cost between $1,000-$6,000, whereas a burial costs $7,000-$15,000.
The purchases that make burial more expensive include the casket, plot, and monument.
A simple casket can cost $600, though most fall in the $2,000 - $5,000 range and the most elaborate can reach over $20,000.
Plots are typically quite expensive unless they’ve been prepaid. If one has already been purchased, expect to pay around $1,500 still to open and close the plot. An additional charge might apply if the burial occurs in winter in a colder province like Manitoba, where extra resources will be required to open the plot.
Purchasing a plot after someone has passed away, also referred to as “at-need,” varies based on the province and in which region the burial will take place. For example, a plot in Toronto can cost $10,000 - $60,000, whereas a plot in Windsor can cost $1,500 - $2,000.
With cremation, the options are typically more affordable. Simple cremation containers may be included with some providers, with the choice to upgrade to a more elaborate casket ranging between $300 - $3,000 on average. The price of urns varies, which will be detailed in the section below, but generally speaking, they cost between $10 to over $1,000.
Since interring cremated remains is optional, the family can choose whether to keep them, scatter them, or inter them in a columbarium or cremation plot. Similar to purchasing a burial plot, the prices to scatter or inter cremated remains in a cemetery depend on the region where the deceased will be interred. For example, a cremation plot in Toronto can cost $2,250 - $5,000, whereas a plot in Windsor may cost $650 - $1,000.
It’s important to note that some providers may offer packages that appear to be more affordable upon first impression. However, these often don’t include crematorium or cemetery fees, so checking what’s included in the package first is important.
What Affects the Cost of Cremation?
Several factors contribute to the cost of cremation, such as location, type of urn, and your cremation service provider.
Location
Cremation costs vary depending on the province and municipality that you reside in. A cremation in Toronto will be more expensive than one in Middlesex-London. Local price points usually reflect the cost of living.
Urn
The cost of an urn varies largely based on your and your family’s wishes. Urns come in a variety of sizes to best suit your personalized needs.
The cremation service provider’s package usually includes a basic container. If one isn't included, the most affordable container may cost between $10 and $20.
Keepsake urns, which hold a portion of the cremated remains, are also affordable, with many styles under $100.
When purchasing an urn, the material, shape, and personalization will affect the price. Typically, an individual-sized and personalized urn will range from $300 to over $1,000 for a more decorative choice.
Cremation service provider
Each cremation service provider has its own packages and price points, which vary even within the same municipality. This is why it’s recommended that you explore your options and find the right choice for you. At Simple Choice Cremation, we aim to provide compassionate, simple, and affordable options for every family. The prices on our website are transparent, and our quote generator accurately reflects final costs.
Are There Any Additional Fees When Getting Cremated?
Cremation is an intensive and complicated process. Because of this, cremation costs aren’t as simple as paying for using a crematorium: several factors are involved.
We’ve compiled two lists for you: one for standard services and another for additional services and fees so that you can make an informed decision. As each provider creates packages differently, additional fees will vary by company.
Standard services
- Cremation fees
- Professional fees: consulting and professional advice by a licensed professional
- Documentation and registration: filling out required forms and permits
- Coroner’s Certificate for Cremation: $75 in the province of Ontario
- Municipal registration fee
- Transfer from the place of death to the crematorium
- Basic preparation: washing, dressing, and preparing the body for identification (this doesn’t include optional embalming)
- Facilities for sheltering the body
- Cremation container
- Urn or container for the cremated remains
Additional services & fees
- Removal of pacemakers or other implants
- Proofs of Death Certificate
- Visitation/viewing
- Any additional transfers: an example would be transfers to an open-casket memorial service or viewing
- Ceremony or service
- Witness the start of the cremation
- Embalming
- Importation of human remains from another province or country
- Handling of the body if the deceased weighed over 250 lbs
- Division of cremated remains
- Expedited cremation
- Interring the urn in a cremation plot, mausoleum, or columbarium.
- Flowers
- Obituaries online or in newspapers
How Much Does it Cost for a Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation is a caring and affordable option. This simple process is generally done without embalming and occurs shortly after death. The only time-sensitive step for the family is filling out the necessary paperwork for cremation.
With a direct cremation, there aren’t additional fees like a viewing or ceremony. This doesn’t mean that a ceremony can’t happen. Once the cremated remains have been delivered to the family, a memorial service can still take place days, weeks, or even months afterward.
Direct cremation with an urn and cremation container in Ontario typically ranges between $1,400-$1,700.
Can Cremation be Covered by Insurance Policies?
In short, yes. Both life insurance and funeral insurance potentially reduce the cost of cremation. Let’s explore your options:
Life Insurance
A life insurance policy should help to cover your cremation and funeral fees. A medical examination is usually required, though premiums for those who are healthy are often more affordable than funeral insurance.
Payouts are usually efficient unless the insurer has a reason to deny the claim and can be up to $1,000,000, depending on your plan. This benefit is given out in a lump sum, which the beneficiaries can do with as they wish. Accounting for both funeral costs and living expenses for any dependents ensures that everyone is cared for.
Funeral Insurance
Designed to cover end-of-life expenses, funeral insurance is accessible and provides an efficient and hassle-free payout after death. Covered expenses usually include cremation or burial services, the funeral service, and miscellaneous expenses like flowers and transportation.
For Canadians under 85 or those with complex medical conditions, funeral insurance can be a dignified choice as it doesn’t require a medical exam.
The payouts often range between $5,000-$50,000, with $25,000 being a common cap, depending on how much the person would prefer to spend and how much they feel comfortable paying.
Can I Afford to be Cremated?
Cremation in Ontario is an affordable option that can be personalized to best suit your wishes and financial needs. Options like direct cremation can make it even more affordable.
For some families, however, the cost of end-of-life arrangements can be overwhelming. Many cremation and funeral service providers offer payment plans to help ease costs.
To allow everyone access to a dignified cremation, there are Canadian and Ontario-based organizations that provide financial assistance. We’ve provided a few of them below. Please note that this is a non-exhaustive list.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) death benefit: if the person has contributed to CPP for at least ten calendar years, or “one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period for the base CPP, but no less than three calendar years” their next-of-kin is eligible to receive a one-time payment of $2500.
Support through your local municipality in Ontario: You can apply to your local municipality for financial assistance, which must be done before signing a contract with a service provider.
Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): These options are open to all Ontarians, and the deceased didn’t need to be with either organization for the next of kin to receive support. If the person has an account, you can apply for funeral support through your cremation service provider. If the person doesn’t have an account, you can apply online or at an Ontario Works Office.
The Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program: If the deceased served for Canada or Allied Forces during the Second World War or Korean War or is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, they may be eligible for support. Financial assistance can be granted up to $7376+ tax for funeral home expenses if approved. Additional coverage for services like cremation might be covered on top of the maximum funeral expense limit on a case-by-case basis.
Understanding the Cost of Cremation
Cremation is both a dignified and affordable end-of-life arrangement, but with all the different options, it can be challenging to know what’s required and what’s an add-on. Understanding the factors to consider when deciding on cremation will empower you to make the most informed choice about what service suits you and your family.
