How much does a funeral cost in Canada?

Key takeaways

In 2021, the average funeral cost $9,150.
There are many factors that can increase or decrease the cost of a funeral.
There are great reasons to pre-plan your funeral.
Life insurance is often used as a way to pay for a funeral.
In some instances, where there is need, or if the deceased was working, there are other provincial benefits which may be available.

The average cost of a funeral in Canada

According to Dignity Memorial, in 2021, the average funeral in Canada cost $9,150, with the least expensive funerals costing $1,000, and the most expensive costing $20,000.

The average price will vary according to where you live and doesn’t include cemetery property or burial charges.

Funeral costs also vary according to the size of the funeral, the type of funeral (including different cultural practices), whether the deceased is buried or cremated, all the details around a celebration of the deceased person’s life and even the type of cemetery monument.

Sample funeral expenses

Here are some sample prices for traditional funeral in a mid-size Ontario city in 2023:

Funeral home costs: $5,523

Includes 1 day visitation, 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm, procession to cemetery, documentation, coordination of activities, rites and ceremonies, transfer, preparation and embalming of remains, various staff services for the visitation and ceremony, use of the funeral coach and other vehicles.

Caskets: $495 to $6,595

Flowers: $400

City death registration: $40

Coroner’s certificate: $75

Basic funeral stationery: $369

Church (if applicable): $400 to $2,500

Reception for 125 people: $1,600

Includes catered food and beverages and the rental of the reception hall.

Cemetery plot: Costs vary

Depending on the cemetery, plots will vary widely in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Cemetery costs: Costs vary

Interment fees can run from $1,000 or more

Cremation: $765

Cemetery monument or marker: $860 to $10,000

Minimum inscription charge is $540, and installation and set-up run from $245 to $695. There is also a fee for care and maintenance of $100 to $400 depending on monument/marker size.

Pre-planning a funeral

Although you may not want to think about dying, there are great reasons to pre-plan your own funeral:

You can communicate your wishes to your loved ones
You’ll reduce the stress of planning your funeral on those who are grieving your death
You can pre-pay for your funeral to help remove financial concerns

A licensed funeral provider can help you plan set-up pre-pay for your funeral. While you’re alive, if you change your mind or want to cancel your pre-planning contract, you can, and the funeral provider must provide a refund.

Remember to give your family copies of your funeral pre-planning paperwork so there’s no confusion when you die.

Ways to pay for a funeral

If the deceased has a life insurance policy, the death benefit can help pay for funeral. This could be personal life insurance, or life insurance that’s part of the person’s workplace benefits through their employer.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) death benefit will also help pay for someone’s funeral. It’s a one-time, lump-sum payment to the estate on behalf of a deceased CPP/QPP contributor. If the deceased qualifies, the amount of the death benefit is $2,500.

If you need assistance to pay for a funeral

Most provinces and territories offer some help paying for someone’s final expenses:

When a worker dies on the job, most Canadian provinces and territories also offer benefits to survivors which can be used for funeral expenses:

What's next?

Now that you know more about how much funerals cost in Canada, you may choose to meet with an advisor to:

Determine if your life insurance provides enough coverage for your end-of-life expenses and other financial needs.
Talk about how your funeral plans and cost fit into your estate planning.

The information provided is based on current laws, regulations and other rules applicable to Canadian residents. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication. Rules and their interpretation may change, affecting the accuracy of the information. The information provided is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice in any specific situation. For specific situations, advice should be obtained from the appropriate legal, accounting, tax or other professional advisors.