Licences revoked: O’Dacre Family Funeral Home and funeral director

Update – Feb. 17, 2021 – John O’Dacre and O’Dacre Family Funeral Home Ltd., of Perth Ontario, have opted not to appeal their licence suspensions issued by the BAO on Nov. 26, 2020. The funeral home and funeral director licences have been revoked by the BAO. Read the original Notice below.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) has ordered the immediate licence suspensions of funeral director John O’Dacre and O’Dacre Family Funeral Home Ltd., 15 Victoria St., Perth, Ontario.

As a result, the funeral home and John O’Dacre cannot legally operate, sell or offer to sell licensed supplies and services related to a cemetery, crematorium or funeral establishment in Ontario.

The BAO has taken this action to protect grieving families, who are consumers of the bereavement sector.

The BAO’s immediate suspension notice states that John O’Dacre and the funeral home have:  

• Failed to comply with the statutory obligations required to close a funeral establishment, under the Funeral, Burial And Cremation Services Act, 2002;
• Failed to comply with directives from the Registrar of the Act regarding closing the funeral home; and,
• Filed an improper legal action against a consumer.

The immediate suspensions, served on Nov. 23, took effect right away. Immediate suspensions are only issued when the Registrar believes there is an immediate risk to the public.

The BAO has also served a proposal to revoke the licences of John O’Dacre and the O’Dacre Family Funeral Home.

Appeals process

Licensees are entitled to appeal suspensions and proposals to revoke licences by requesting a hearing with the Licence Appeal Tribunal within 15 days of receiving a notice or proposal. The Tribunal would then determine whether the BAO’s order should continue and/or stand.

If the licensees do not request a hearing with the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the BAO will carry out the proposal.

BAO Notice to the Consumer

Consumers are advised not to buy or use the services John O’Dacre and O’Dacre Family Funeral Home, while their licences are suspended. Consumers who purchase services from an unregistered business, or a business whose licence is suspended, may not be protected by the BAO’s Compensation Fund, which is set aside for consumers.

The BAO requests that anyone who has an existing or future agreement with this funeral home or the funeral director, and has not heard from the home about its closure, email inspector Paul.LeRoy@theBao.ca.

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, 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.

Media contact

David.Brazeau@theBAO.ca
Communications Manager
Bereavement Authority of Ontario