Licensing

Under the FBCSA, you need a Cemetery Operator licence to operate a cemetery. You are required to complete and submit a licence application form to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario for registration as a licensed Cemetery Operator. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario will send you an application form and notice of its due date.

When completing the Cemetery Operator application, you need to include the name and consent of the owner of the land on which the cemetery is situated. You must also provide the name and contact information of the person managing the site as well as the location of your records and storage facility. If you have more than one cemetery site and multiple managers, you will need to list the name and contact information for each one.

Under the FBCSA, you need a Crematorium Operator licence to operate a crematorium.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario will send you an application form and a representative will assist in navigating the steps in the approval process. Anyone contemplating establishing a new crematorium is encouraged to contact the BAO early in the process.

Prior to issuing a licence for a new installation, approval from the municipality to establish the crematorium must be obtained (or from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the case of a crematorium located on government-owned Crown land.)

Municipal approval requires more than approval of land use or zoning; it must consider the public interest and could require public hearings. Decisions are subject to appeal before the Local Property Appeal Tribunal (formerly OMB.)

If the municipality approves the establishment of the crematorium, application may be made to the Registrar of the FBCSA for an operator’s license. The application must be accompanied by proof of environmental compliance under Section 9 of the Environmental Protection Act, and Plans or drawings of the site, building, location of retorts, processing area and body storage area. If licensure is granted, you’ll need to have a set of crematorium by-laws approved by the Registrar.

Under the FBCSA, you need an Alternative Disposition Operator – Hydrolysis licence to operate a hydrolysis facility.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario will send you an application form and a representative will assist in navigating the steps in the approval process. Anyone contemplating establishing a hydrolysis facility is encouraged to contact the BAO early in the process and before purchasing equipment.

Prior to issuing a licence for a new installation, approval from the municipality to establish the hydrolysis facility must be obtained (or from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the case of a facility located on government-owned Crown land.)

Municipal approval requires more than approval of land use or zoning; it must consider the public interest and could require public hearings. Substantial data and testing may need to be provided. Decisions are subject to appeal before the Local Property Appeal Tribunal (formerly OMB.)

If the municipality approves the establishment of the hydrolysis facility, application may be made to the Registrar of the FBCSA for an Alternative Disposition Operator – Hydrolysis license. A license may be granted on condition of meeting certain requirements, including safety, risk mitigation, performance and design standards of the hydrolysis facility and equipment.

Hydrolysis may only be conducted by a Class 1 Funeral Director.

The current requirements for an Alternative Disposition Operator – Hydrolysis are here.

In order to offer sales support to a cemetery or crematorium, you need to be licensed as a Sales Representative to Sell Cemetery Supplies and Services or as a Sales Representative to Sell Crematorium Supplies and Services. With these licences an individual is only permitted to sell the supplies or services that his or her employer is authorized to sell. The BAO requires that all Sales Representative applicants complete the Sales Representative Training Program offered through the OACFP as a prerequisite to qualifying for a Sales Representative Licence.

Anyone employed as a sales representative for a cemetery, crematorium or transfer service operator on June 30, 2012 will be considered a licensed sales representative for that operator once the FBCSA comes into effect. However, this is for transitional purposes only. A licence application form must be submitted to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

If you are licensed under the Insurance Act you may continue selling insurance to fund contracts for bereavement supplies and services without having to obtain a separate licence under the FBCSA.