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Notice to the Consumer: Alert to families with burial rights at Headford Cemetery in Richmond Hill

Headford Cemetery update – June 9, 2023
The owner of Headford Cemetery has brought an Application for Judicial Review of the Registrar’s Decision to order the owner to not interfere with the burial the body of an interment rights holder. The judicial review was heard by the Divisional Court on March 29, 2023.
The Court released its decision on May 5, 2023: It found that the BAO was within its jurisdiction to make a finding of fact about interment rights and denied the Application. The Applicant has taken steps to seek leave to appeal the Divisional Court’s decision to the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Headford Cemetery update – Oct. 19, 2022
On Oct. 1 the body of Louis Tsotsos was buried at Headford Cemetery in Richmond Hill more than nine months after his death.

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Feb. 8, 2022 — Families with interment (burial) rights at Headford Cemetery in Richmond Hill are advised to contact the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).

The cemetery owner is not currently licensed and has been ordered to comply with the law by the BAO.

The cemetery, once known as Headford United Church Cemetery, is located at 9550 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, Ontario.

If you have interment rights at this cemetery, please get in touch with us to make sure your rights are honoured by the cemetery owner.

Families are asked to contact the BAO at Inspections@thebao.ca, or by calling 647-483-2645 (toll-free +1 844-493-6356), ask for Inspector Kate Dafoe.

About The BAO

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is a government delegated authority administering provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) on behalf of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. Responsible for protection of the public interest, the BAO regulates and supports licensed: funeral establishment operators, directors and preplanners; cemetery, crematorium and alternative disposition operators; transfer service operators; and bereavement sector sales representatives across Ontario. The BAO is wholly funded by licensee fees (not tax dollars).

Media contact
David.Brazeau@thebao.ca
Manager, Communications, BAO