Media Room

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the Bereavement Authority of Ontario?

  The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is a government delegated authority and not-for-profit corporation administering provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) on behalf of the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery.
  Responsible for protection of the public interest, the BAO regulates, ensures compliance with the law, 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).

  Read our About The BAO page for more information.

• What is the BAO's role?

  The BAO protects public interest through a fair, safe and informed marketplace.

  The BAO does this by:

  • Enforcing standards to obtain and maintain registration for funeral directors, funeral preplanners, transfer service operators and sales representatives.
  • Establishing the educational requirements to become a funeral director, funeral preplanners, transfer service operator or sales representative.
  • Conducting inspections of funeral, cemetery, transfer service and crematorium establishments.

• What is the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, O.Reg. 30/11 and O.Reg. 184/12?

  The Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) is the legislation that bereavement professionals must follow in Ontario. The law includes rules and regulations that bereavement professionals must follow when helping consumers plan a funeral, burial, transfer service or cremation.

• What is a Delegated Administrative Authority (DAA)?

  Delegated Administrative Authorities (DAAs)

  Delegated Administrative Authorities (DAAs) are responsible for ensuring that a number of Ontario’s consumer protection and public safety laws are applied and enforced.

  The government oversees administrative authorities and is responsible for the legislation and regulations that are applied and enforced by administrative authorities.

  The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services currently oversees these DAAs:

  • • Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO)
    • Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO)
    • Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO)
    • Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
    • Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)
    • Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)
    • Ontario One Call (ON1Call)
    • Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)
    • Tarion Warranty Corporation (TARION)
    • Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
    • Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO)
    • Ontario Wine Appellation Authority

• What does the BAO not do?

  • Provide any grief counselling or other bereavement-related treatments;
  • Regulate the therapy or counselling industry;
  • Regulate pricing;
  • Collect, maintain or distribute sales figures or market data;
  • Provide education; and
  • Plan funerals on behalf of Ontario consumers.