Legislation

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario was established as a Delegated Administrative Authority (DAA) on January 16, 2016, under the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act, 1996. The BAO administers provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) which is consumer protection legislation respecting funerals, burials, cremations and related services within the province of Ontario.

The FBCSA received Royal Assent in the Ontario Legislature on December 13, 2002. In February 2011, the FBCSA was proclaimed into force to take effect July 1, 2012. The FBCSA consolidates and modernizes two statutes, the Cemeteries Act (Revised) and the Board of Funeral Services Act  (formerly titled the Funeral Directors and Establishments Act). The FBCSA provides the framework for the regulation of the bereavement sector. The FBCSA and its regulations recognize that bereavement-related purchases are often made during delicate and emotional times. The FBCSA helps ensure that consumers are clearly informed of their options and have the necessary information on hand when making bereavement-related purchase decisions.

The FBCSA generally applies to many facets of the bereavement sector, including cemeteries, funeral establishments, transfer services, crematoriums, funeral directors, sales representatives and funeral preplanners. The FBCSA broadly creates consistent consumer protection and promotes high standards for all licensees and operators.