Funeral establishment licence

In Ontario, a funeral home cannot lawfully operate without this licence. Because the licence is not transferable, a buyer cannot take over the seller’s licence; a buyer that will become the operator has to be licensed in its own right, so ask the regulator about timing before fixing a closing date.

How Ontario handles it

Section 8 of Ontario’s Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 says no person shall operate a funeral establishment, or hold themself out as its operator, unless licensed to do so. Under section 14(2), a licence is not transferable. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario is responsible for ensuring Ontario funeral establishments are licensed in accordance with the Act, and it lists business licence classes for funeral establishment operators.

Alberta and Quebec

Alberta and Quebec have their own legislation. Alberta’s Funeral Services Act, for example, provides for a funeral services business licence among several licence types, and Quebec has its own Funeral Operations Act. This entry covers Ontario, Alberta and Quebec only; check the rules in the province where the business is.

What to ask

• Which licence class the buyer needs, and how long the regulator’s review takes.
• Whether the buyer’s licensed staff must also be in place.
• What the regulator requires for any prepaid funeral contracts or trust money held by the business.

See how to buy a funeral home in Ontario and licence re-application.