At Bare Cremation, we understand that arranging a cremation can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are coping with the loss of someone you love.
Our goal is to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible while ensuring your loved one is treated with dignity, care, and respect.
This step-by-step guide explains what to expect when arranging a direct cremation with Bare Cremation in Ontario, from your first conversation with our team to the return of your loved one's cremated remains.
If you have any questions, our care team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (416) 900-7176.
1. Contact Bare Cremation
The first step is to get in touch with our care team. You can request a quote through our website or call us directly at (416) 900-7176 anytime to discuss the arrangements.
During your first conversation, we will explain our direct cremation services, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps.
We may ask for some basic information about your loved one, including their full name, date of birth, date of death, and current location. We will also confirm your contact details so we can stay in touch throughout the process.
Our team will explain what is included in your cremation arrangement.
2. We coordinate your loved one's transfer into care
Once the necessary arrangements have been made, Bare Cremation will coordinate the transfer of your loved one to an appropriate licensed facility.
If your loved one has passed away in a hospital or care facility, we will coordinate with the relevant staff regarding the transfer arrangements.
Our team will explain the next steps and keep you informed about the transfer process.
Where will my loved one be taken?
Your loved one will be transferred to an appropriate licensed facility, where they will be respectfully cared for while the required documentation and cremation arrangements are completed. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a facility operated by one of our trusted licensed partners.
Your loved one will remain in appropriate care until they are transferred to the crematorium.
3. We guide you through the paperwork
Before cremation can take place, the necessary paperwork must be completed by the person legally authorized to make funeral arrangements for the deceased.
This generally involves providing personal information about the deceased, reviewing the cremation arrangements, and signing the required authorizations.
Our team will explain which documents are needed and help guide you through the process.
We understand that some information may take time to gather. If you have questions about the documents or need assistance completing them, our team is here to help.
4. We coordinate the required documentation and authorizations
In Ontario, several documents and approvals must be in place before a cremation can take place. These include:
Medical Certificate of Death: completed by a physician, coroner, or another health professional authorized to certify the death, and records the cause of death.
Statement of Death: records personal details about the deceased, usually gathered from the family or the person making the arrangements.
Burial permit: issued once the death has been registered with the province. Despite its name, a burial permit is also required for cremation.
Cremation authorization: signed by the person legally authorized to make funeral arrangements, giving permission for the cremation to proceed.
Coroner’s Cremation Certificate: because cremation is irreversible, an Ontario coroner must review the death and approve the cremation by issuing this certificate.
Our team will coordinate these arrangements with the relevant parties and let you know if any additional information is required from you.
If a coroner is investigating the death, additional procedures may be needed before the cremation can proceed.
5. We assist with death-related documentation
Alongside the cremation arrangements, there are important documents families may need following the death of someone they love. You may receive some of these before the cremation has taken place.
In Ontario, a funeral director's Proof of Death and an official death certificate are two different documents, and they are used for different purposes.
Funeral director's Proof of Death
A Proof of Death is issued by a funeral home or funeral director and confirms that someone has died. It is not a government-issued document.
It is often accepted for administrative matters such as notifying banks, closing some of your loved one's accounts, or informing employers and service providers.
As part of the arrangement process, Bare Cremation will coordinate the preparation and delivery of the funeral director's Proof of Death documentation.
Official death certificate
An official death certificate is a government-issued legal record of death. In Ontario, it is issued by the Office of the Registrar General and can be ordered through ServiceOntario.
It may be required when settling an estate, applying for certain benefits or pensions, or completing financial and legal matters where a Proof of Death is not sufficient.
The death must be registered before an official death certificate can be issued, and processing times can vary.
If you are unsure which document you need, we recommend checking with the organization that is requesting it. For more information, you can visit ServiceOntario or the Government of Canada's guide to death-related documents.
6. We schedule the cremation
Once the necessary documents and authorizations have been completed, we will coordinate with the crematorium to schedule the cremation.
Our team will explain the costs involved and answer any questions you may have. Payment is never required upfront.
How long does the process take?
The timeline can vary depending on the required documentation and approvals, including any coroner's review, as well as the crematorium's availability. Our team will keep you updated and let you know if anything may affect the timing.
7. The cremation takes place
Your loved one will be transferred to the crematorium, where the cremation will take place without a viewing, visitation, or formal funeral service beforehand.
A suitable cremation container is required, and the crematorium will follow the applicable identification, safety, and cremation procedures. All cremations in Ontario are performed individually.
After the cremation, your loved one's cremated remains are placed in an appropriate container in preparation for their return to the family.
8. We coordinate the return of your loved one's cremated remains
After cremation, our team will coordinate the return of your loved one's cremated remains to you by Canada Post.
Families may then choose to keep the cremated remains in an urn, arrange a memorial or celebration of life, or consider another form of remembrance.
We're here to help
At Bare Cremation, we believe families should feel informed and supported throughout the cremation process.
Whether you have questions about the paperwork, your loved one's arrangements, or the return of their cremated remains, our team is here to provide guidance and keep you updated.
To learn more about our direct cremation services or request a quote, visit our Cremation Page or call us anytime at (416) 900-7176.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Bare Cremation process in Ontario. Specific requirements, procedures, and timeframes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Please contact Bare Cremation for information about the arrangements and services available in your area.
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