Notice to the Profession: Contact the BAO in case of disruptive actions

By Jim Cassimatis, CEO/Registrar, BAO

All bereavement facilities should remain peaceful places for families of all faiths, races, and cultures to grieve loved ones.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is here to support you, our licensed professionals, on issues of consumer and staff safety and security at your facilities.

With the approach of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited an ongoing war, we hope that cemeteries, funeral homes, crematoriums and hydrolysis facilities will remain peaceful places.

Current international tensions have resulted in disruptive actions and targeted vandalism at cemeteries in various parts of the world, but thankfully none in Ontario have been reported to us over the last 12 months.

Disruptions

Disruptions may come in the form of protests, demonstrations, threats, vandalism, or targeted acts of hate at cemeteries or other facilities. Such disruptive actions would negatively impact access, and the peaceful and respectful environment people rightly expect when they visit a bereavement facility.

BAO support

As Registrar, I am looking to monitor such possible disruptions affecting BAO-licensed facilities and request that you let me know if this occurs at your facilities or properties.

In any such disruptions, the BAO may then provide information and advice about what you can do in terms of restoring access and a respectful environment.

Note

Please continue to notify the police on matters related to crimes or threats.

I remind all operators that you can close your facility at your discretion, including for any safety or security concerns you may have. Please let us know immediately if you decide to do this at any time.

I encourage you, as operators and licensees, to talk to us about any concerns regarding anything that could compromise your ability to serve the public.

Contact

If or when you are aware of disruptive actions occurring at your facility, please know that the BAO is here to support you.

We encourage you to contact us. In fact, you can contact me directly at Registrar@TheBAO.ca.