Average Funeral Costs in Canada by Province
The average funeral in Canada costs around $8,000 to $9,000, though total costs can range from $5,000 to over $20,000 depending on services and location.
For example, the average funeral cost in Ontario is anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000. That figure could be even higher if you live in an expensive city like Toronto, as the cost of living in Toronto is quite high.
Burial requests and the time of year can also affect the cost. Winter burials may cost more due to additional labour or storage requirements, though the increase varies by provider.
Let’s take a look at the average funeral costs by province. Keep in mind that these are standard costs – any unique requests or expensive burial options will cost more.
| Province | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ontario | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Quebec | $5,000 – $11,000 |
| British Columbia | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Alberta | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Manitoba | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $7,000 – $11,000 |
| New Brunswick | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Prince Edward Island | $6,000 – $11,000 |
Funeral costs vary widely by provider, service level, and location, so provincial averages should be treated as general estimates rather than fixed benchmarks.
Breakdown of Funeral Costs
Though money is likely the last thing anyone wants to think about when a loved one dies, funerals can get quite expensive, so it’s best to be prepared. If you’re asking, “How much does a funeral cost?”, take a look at the expenses involved below:
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | $15–$50 |
| Transfer service | $100–$500 |
| Funeral home basic services | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Cremation | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Casket | $1,000–$10,000+ |
| Flowers | $100–$500 |
| Reception | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Cemetery plot | $1,500–$10,000+ |
See a more detailed breakdown of each expense below:
Paying For a Funeral
There are a few ways to pay for a funeral for a loved one. If you have the money, you can pay it all upfront yourself. However, the reality is that many people these days don’t have $5,000-10,000 lying around and might not be able to pay for it, especially if the death was sudden.
So, how do you pay for a funeral, and what happens if you can’t afford a funeral in Canada? Luckily, there are some options available. Let’s take a look at what you can do.
Funeral Planning
Planning for a funeral can be overwhelming, especially if a loved one passes unexpectedly and their funeral arrangements aren’t taken care of. Whether you’re planning for your or a loved one’s funeral, here are some things you’ll need to think about:
Affordable Burial Options
Burial costs can quickly shoot up. Because of the rising costs of burials in Canada, more and more people are choosing direct cremation or expedited burials.
If you’re choosing the burial route, you have the following options:
- Expedited burials: The body is buried immediately after securing a death certificate. It typically costs $3,000 to $5,000.
- Direct cremation: Direct cremation is typically the most affordable option, usually costing between $1,000 and $3,000.
What If You Can’t Afford a Funeral?
If you can’t afford a funeral in Canada, there are many Funeral Assistance Programs available to help you cover the costs.
In some cases, provincial or municipal programs may assist with basic funeral costs if no other funds are available, though eligibility requirements apply. That includes paying for cremation or a casket and cemetery fees.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Bury Someone?
The cheapest way to bury someone is direct cremation, which costs up to $1,000. This covers the cost of cremating the deceased and does not include funeral services or a ceremony.
Alternatives to Traditional Burials
You’ve possibly heard about people being buried at sea or shot into space. These are considered unique end-of-life requests.
Below are some alternatives to traditional funerals:
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Think about final expense insurance to help pay for funeral costs. This way, your family won’t have to pay big bills themselves.
- Look into lower-cost choices like direct cremation, especially if you want to keep expenses down.
- Don’t count only on government benefits. Programs like CPP usually pay for just a small part of the funeral costs.