Did You Know?

1. Did you know, in B.C. the law protects consumers by allowing you and your family to purchase funeral items including caskets and urns from a source other than funeral homes? Moreover, a funeral home is not allowed to refuse a casket or funeral related merchandise that had been purchased somewhere else. They are not allowed to charge you or your family additional fees for accepting a casket or increase the service price of the funeral because of it. A funeral home will treat you or your family no different than if you had purchased a casket from them.

2. Cremation can be done after 48 hours following the death.

3. Each funeral home charges $30.00 for Consumer Protection of British Columbia fee on the funeral contract.  If you have a complaint, try to resolve the problem with the funeral director or cemetery operator involved.  If the problem is not resolved, ask for advice from:

British Columbia Funeral Association
Telephone: (250) 592-3213

If the problem is still not resolved, put it in writing and send it to Consumer Protection BC who will investigate the complaint for you.

Consumer Protection BC
P.O Box 9244
Victoria, BC V8W 9J2
Tel: (604) 320-1667
Email: info@consumerprotectionbc.ca

4. Anyone who contributed to Canada Pension is eligible to receive the CPP Death Benefit. The surviving spouse and minor children may be eligible for the Survivor/Children’s benefit.

The Death Benefit is a one-time payment up to $2500.00 to, or on behalf of, the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan Contributor;

The Survivor’s Pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor;

The Children’s Benefit is a monthly benefit for dependent children of a deceased contributor.