Bereavement Authority of Ontario: Answers to FAQs for Families

By BAO Staff
July 21st, 2025

Here’s a list of Frequently Asked Questions that the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) regularly receive from families / consumers…

1. Who has the legal authority to make death care decisions? 
2. I need financial assistance for a funeral or other death care services. Is there any assistance available?
3. What is a Proof of Death vs. a Death Certificate?
4. I’ve been refused a Proof of Death (POD). Shouldn’t the funeral home provide it to me?
5. I’m trying to find out where a particular person/family member/friend is buried in Ontario. Where can I look for this information?
6. I need to find a funeral prearrangement in Ontario. Where can I find this information?
7. I have not yet received an expected Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit of up to $2,500. What should I do?
8. I want to scatter cremated remains (ashes of the deceased) on Crown land, as permitted by law. How can I confirm what area is Crown land?
9. What do I need to know if I want to have a burial on private property?
10. Can I scatter cremated human remains (ashes) in my yard?
11. I have a problem with an obituary notice. Who do I contact?
12. I need to contact a funeral establishment that has closed. How do I do that?
13. (a) What is a prepaid funeral contract? 
    (b) What do I need to know when a person with a prepaid funeral contract dies?
14. Moving Prearrangements to Another Funeral Home: What do I need to do?
15. I’m struggling with a loss and grief. Where can I turn?
16. Can my pet be buried with me when I die?
17. What happens to a deceased person’s unclaimed body? 
18. How and where do I make a complaint? 
19. What is a green burial? 
20. Can funeral processions drive through red traffic lights?
21. I was walking today and saw a few headstones or tombstones in an area that was covered by small trees, shrubs, grass, weeds and other vegetation. They looked abandoned. Who should I report this to?

Many of the answers to these questions and more are also found in our handy and free BAO Consumer Information Guide. Have a question we haven’t answered here? Please ask your question by email…