Bill 54

Bill 542000

An Act to amend the Funeral Directors and Establishments Act with respect to funeral services

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1.The Funeral Directors and Establishments Act is amended by adding the following section:

Rites and ceremonies restricted

18.1 (1)No person shall hold a rite or ceremony for profit with respect to a dead human, whether or not the body is present, unless the rite or ceremony is being performed in one of the following places:

1.A licensed funeral establishment.

2.A cemetery or crematorium under the Cemeteries Act (Revised).

3.A location in which such rites or ceremonies are held four or fewer times per year.

Exempt areas

(2)The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by regulation exempt one or more areas of Ontario from the operation of subsection (1) if it considers it necessary to prevent undue hardship to residents of those areas, having regard to the number of licensed funeral establishments in areas with small populations.

Commencement

3.This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

4.The short title of this Act is the Funeral Directors and Establishments Amendment Act (Funeral Services), 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill adds a new section 18.1 to the Funeral Directors and Establishments Act. The new section prohibits anyone from holding a rite or ceremony for profit with respect to a dead person, whether or not the body is present, subject to specified exceptions. The rite or ceremony may be performed in a licensed funeral establishment, in a cemetery or crematorium or in a location in which such rites or ceremonies are held four or fewer times per year.