Registrar’s Directive: Updated COVID-19 measures

1.    New temporary rules for funeral services extended until further notice 

2.    Requirement for crematoriums to prevent accumulations of decedents beyond two days is rescinded 

This Registrar’s Directive provides updates on two directives from earlier this month in the evolving pandemic.

Directives will continue to adapt to COVID-19 in relation to the needs of the bereavement sector and steps announced by the provincial government.

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1.    New temporary rules for funeral services extended until further notice 

The directive of Jan. 4 ‘New temporary rules for funeral services’ is extended until further notice. The directive will adapt to COVID changes and provincial measures in coming weeks.

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2.    Requirement for crematoriums to prevent accumulations of decedents beyond two days is rescinded 

Effective Jan. 31 to Feb. 28, 2022

The following Registrar’s Directive will be in place from Monday, Jan. 31 until Monday, Feb. 28, replacing and extending the Jan. 7 directive’s timeline.

The BAO monitors the sector’s capacity to deal with death numbers, including supplies, services, storage, and cremations. In some areas of the province, there are pressures on storage and capacity to handle decedents.

Prevent backlogs

The Jan. 7 Registrar’s Directive requiring crematoriums to prevent accumulations of decedents beyond two days is rescinded. 

To address current storage and capacity issues, crematoriums are now directed to operate to prevent atypical or unwarranted backlogs. This may require modifications to their operations such as extending operating hours, adjusting schedules, eliminating holds, or adding staff.

List of crematoriums with capacity

Funeral providers are encouraged to seek alternative crematoriums if their usual operator is unable to accommodate them on a timely basis.

We are providing a list of crematoriums that have indicated their ability to accept more cremations at this time. Providers are encouraged to contact the crematorium to confirm their status.

While this part (2) of the Directive is in force (Jan. 31 – Feb. 28, 2022) funeral providers can either:

• Obtain a contract from the alternative crematorium  
  Or
• Are permitted to add an amending sentence on their existing contract for services indicating that due the current pandemic, the licensee may substitute an alternative crematorium.

–Carey Smith, CEO & Registrar