Co-Location & Co-Ownership

As of July 1, 2012, cemetery owners will have the option of being licensed to operate funeral establishments and transfer services directly on cemetery lands.

In other words, you will no longer have restrictions on the co-location and co-ownership of funeral homes, transfer services, cemeteries and crematoriums.

If you are interested in establishing a funeral home, transfer service or a new crematorium within a cemetery, you need to obtain the appropriate business licences and receive the consent of the Registrar. An application form will need to be submitted with proof of environmental and municipal approval confirming that all applicable zoning and building requirements have been met.

As of July 1, 2012, you will also have the opportunity to establish a crematorium off cemetery land.

To do this, you need to apply for the appropriate business Licence, which must be submitted along with approval or permits from your municipality and a copy of environmental compliance approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.

You must also submit a detailed plan of your proposed crematorium with your application at least 30 days before moving forward with any development.