How to get help with funeral costs for parents in Canada
Losing a parent can be one of the most difficult times of your life. The last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for their funeral. A funeral service can be truly priceless to the friends and family of the departed, as it allows them to heal, grieve, and pay their last respects. Unfortunately, funeral costs and associated expenses can add up quickly. Learn about different ways to get help with funeral costs for parents in Canada, so you can worry less about expenses and focus on honouring your loved one’s memory.
Funeral costs to consider
How much a funeral costs in Canada can vary depending on details like whether you choose a cremation or traditional burial, but the average price is around $7,793, according to Haven Casket. This does not include cemetery charges, monument or marker costs, or items like flowers and an obituary. We will break down the cost of funeral services, so you know what to expect. Keep in mind that costs can vary significantly depending on the province.
1. Transportation
The average cost of a hearse or a limousine is $500 to $2,000. A hearse or limousine is a requirement for a traditional burial service unless cremation is chosen.
2. Embalming and preparation costs
Embalming is only necessary if you wish to have a funeral with a viewing. A viewing can apply to a traditional burial or cremation. The embalming and preparation process typically costs $500 to $1,200.
3. Casket or urn costs
A casket provides a dignified way to move the deceased before burial or cremation, and is usually the most expensive item purchased for a funeral service. Caskets also have the largest range in price, costing anywhere from $600 to $20,000 and up for a traditional burial.
Haven Casket has the average cost of an urn between $59 and $1,490.
4. Viewing and funeral ceremony costs
The cost of a viewing in Ontario is typically $300 to $800 per day and covers the use of the funeral home facilities. Hiring someone to perform the funeral ceremony held at the cemetery is an additional $200 to $500.
5. Cremation costs
This option is less expensive than a traditional burial. According to Haven Casket, direct cremation typically costs from $1,500 to $3,500.
Government assistance for funeral costs
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit provides a one-time payment of $2,500 to the estate or eligible surviving family members of a CPP contributor. Applications can be submitted through Service Canada.
In addition, most provinces offer burial assistance for families who are struggling with paying for funeral costs in Canada through provincial social assistance programmes. Eligibility criteria and benefit amounts vary by province. Contact your provincial Ministry of Social Services, or the equivalent department in your province, to determine what assistance may be available.
Charities that help with funeral costs
There are many organisations that help with funeral expenses. While assistance through charitable organisations may be available more quickly than government benefit programmes, each organisation has its own eligibility requirements and application process. Here are three Canadian resources that may help with funeral expenses:
Last Post Fund
The Last Post Fund provides funeral and burial assistance for eligible Canadian veterans. Financial support may help cover funeral services, cremation or burial, transportation of remains, and certain cemetery costs. Eligibility depends on factors such as the veteran’s service and financial circumstances, and applications can be initiated through the Last Post Fund.
ICNA Relief Canada Funeral Support Programme
ICNA Relief Canada offers a one-time Funeral Support Fund to help eligible families who cannot afford the costs of burying a loved one. The programme is intended to reduce the financial burden during a difficult time, and families can apply through ICNA Relief Canada’s online application process. The service is currently available in the Greater Toronto Area, with plans to expand to additional communities.
Body donation to science
Donating a loved one’s body to science through a Canadian university medical school can significantly reduce funeral expenses. Many body donation programmes, including those offered by the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill University, cover transportation of the donor, cremation, and the return of cremated remains to the family after studies are complete. Availability, eligibility requirements, and acceptance criteria vary by institution, so families should contact the university’s body donation programme directly for more information.
Who pays for a parent’s funeral in Canada?
In most Canadian provinces, funeral expenses are paid from the deceased’s estate before any remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries. The estate’s executor or administrator is responsible for arranging payment using available estate funds. If the estate does not have enough money to cover funeral costs, adult children are generally not legally required to pay for a parent’s funeral in most provinces, although the laws and exceptions vary across Canada. When there are no estate assets available, provincial social assistance programmes may provide funding for a basic funeral or burial for eligible individuals.
Because estate and funeral responsibility laws differ by province, if you are unsure of your legal obligations, you should consult a local estate lawyer or notary for advice specific to your situation. You can also look to see if there are any organisations that can help with the costs.
Start an online fundraiser to help with funeral costs for a parent
You may be wondering how to pay for a funeral with no money. An online fundraiser can help with funeral costs for a parent, when government benefits or life insurance isn’t enough. Starting a fundraiser can also help you through the grieving process by creating a place for friends and family to offer support and condolences. Transaction fees, including credit and debit charges, apply to all donations received.
Crowdfunding can relieve the burden of an expensive funeral
Crowdfunding has become a reliable way for family and friends to raise money to cover the cost of a funeral. Often, those who knew the deceased are happy to help. Donating to a funeral fund can also be a meaningful option in place of sending flowers or cards. If you choose to start a funeral fundraiser, learn more about funeral fundraising tips that can help cut memorial costs.
How GoFundMe can help with funeral costs for a parent
GoFundMe is used by Canadian families every day to raise money for funeral and burial expenses. A fundraiser can be shared with friends and family via text, email, or social media, and supporters can contribute from anywhere. There are no eligibility requirements, and funds can be withdrawn as donations arrive. Transaction fees, including credit and debit charges, apply to all donations received.
How crowdfunding works for funeral expenses
Many people use GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs for parents in Canada. Unlike government assistance programmes or insurance benefits, online fundraising does not require an application process or eligibility review. Funds can be withdrawn as donations arrive, and families can share their fundraiser with friends, relatives, and supporters, who can contribute from anywhere. Transaction fees, including credit and debit charges, apply to all donations received.
Examples of funeral fundraisers for families
Funeral expenses for a loving father and husband
After a father of two passed away, his family faced the costs of funeral arrangements as well as fulfilling his wish to be buried in his home country. A friend created a GoFundMe to help the family manage these expenses, ultimately raising more than its $15,000 goal.
Support my uncle’s funeral expenses
After Robert Goyette passed away unexpectedly in Ontario, his family created a GoFundMe to help with funeral, burial or cremation, and memorial expenses that were more than the family could manage on its own. The fundraiser provided friends and community members with a way to contribute toward these costs.
Find financial help for funerals when you need it
If you need help with funeral costs for a parent, a fundraiser can be your answer. Crowdfunding can be a beautiful way to honour your loved one’s legacy, while relieving some of the financial stress of paying for a funeral. Sign up to create your funeral fundraiser today, so you can stop worrying about expenses and instead focus on healing.
How to get help with funeral costs for parents in Canada FAQs
In Canada, funeral costs are generally paid from the deceased person’s estate before any assets are distributed. The executor or estate administrator is responsible for arranging payment using estate funds. Adult children are generally not legally obligated to pay their parent’s funeral costs out of their own pocket in most Canadian provinces, though laws vary. If the estate has insufficient funds, provincial social assistance programmes may cover basic funeral costs. If you are unsure of your legal obligations, consult a local estate lawyer or notary.
Several programmes may help. The CPP Death Benefit provides a one-time payment of $2,500 to eligible surviving family members of CPP contributors. You can apply through Service Canada. If the deceased was a veteran, the Last Post Fund delivers Veterans Affairs Canada funeral and burial assistance for eligible veterans. Most provinces also offer burial assistance for low-income families through social assistance programmes. Contact your provincial Ministry of Social Services for eligibility details.
Starting a GoFundMe fundraiser is one of the most direct ways to ask for help. Sharing the fundraiser with friends, family, and community allows supporters to contribute from anywhere, on their own timeline, with no pressure. Many families find that a fundraiser also gives supporters a place to share condolences and memories. For wording guidance and message templates, see the GoFundMe guide to asking for donations for funeral expenses. Transaction fees, including credit and debit charges, apply to all donations received.