Make a difference in the lives of Ontario families — Join our BAO Board of Directors or committees

Make a meaningful impact on grieving families across Ontario by contributing your expertise to support strong, ethical, and consumer focused oversight of the bereavement sector.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario is looking for talented people like you to apply your expertise and broaden your experience in public service as a member of our BAO Board of Directors or one of our committees.

As Ontario’s regulator of the bereavement sector, the BAO plays a vital role in protecting grieving families and ensuring a compliant and professional sector across the province. 

We have three openings on the BAO Board along with several committee opportunities. This year marks a significant period of modernization for the BAO as we strengthen consumer protections, enhance regulatory transparency, and expand the use of evidence based approaches to support a fair, efficient, and accountable bereavement sector. 

You can help shape these advancements and support our mandate to protect Ontario families. We are seeking individuals who demonstrate strong ethical judgment, sector awareness, sound governance experience, and a commitment to the public interest. Applicants from diverse professional and lived experiences are encouraged to apply.

As a board director or committee member, you will help lead the development of oversight approaches, guide sector improvements, and champion the interests of Ontario consumers.

Your participation will help guide the BAO’s focus on its Strategic Priorities:

1. Enhance Consumer Protection and Engagement
   – Strengthening safeguards for grieving families and increasing public awareness of their rights and service options
2. Enable Sector Impact Through Operational Excellence
   – Improving efficiency, guidance and oversight across the bereavement sector
3. Advance an Evidence-Based Regulatory Approach
   – Harnessing data, research and risk-based insights to inform regulatory decisions

The opportunities are:

• BAO Board of Directors
  – 3 openings
  – The Board is responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight of the operations.
   
• Cemetery, Crematorium & Municipal Advisory Committee
  – 3 openings in the roles of consumer representative, and small cemetery representative
  – The committee provides expert advice on operational, technical, and consumer‑facing issues within burial and cremation services.
   
• Faith-based Advisory Committee
  – 7 openings seeking representatives from the faiths of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, or other 
  – The committee ensures regulatory considerations reflect diverse cultural and religious practices. 
   
• Funeral and Transfer Services Advisory Committee 
  – 2 openings: one for medium-population funeral director; one for a transfer service operator
  – The committee advises on licensing, professional standards, and service delivery in funeral and transfer operations.
   
• Compensation Fund Committee
  – 2 openings for consumer representatives
  – The committee oversees the fund that supports consumers in the event of operator insolvency or misconduct.
   
• Discipline Committee
  – 12 openings for cemetery operators, crematorium operators, funeral establishment operators (Class 1), funeral directors (Class 1), and a consumer representative
  – The committee hears and adjudicates matters involving alleged breaches of professional or regulatory standards.
   
• Appeals Committee
  – 12 openings for cemetery operators, crematorium operators, funeral establishment operators (Class 1), funeral directors (Class 1), and a consumer representative
  – The committee reviews and evaluates appeals related to regulatory decisions.

Apply now

We are now accepting applications, which must be submitted by the deadline of April 17, 2026. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply early. 

To apply, and learn more about each role including eligibility criteria, responsibilities, and term length, please visit our Applications webpage.