Funerals are very expensive… after a house, a wedding, or a car, it will be one of the most expensive single-items that you will ever need to purchase.

Some people are simple unable to afford the $4000-$12,000 that a funeral can cost, on average.

After a death has occurred, your funeral director can assist you in making application to your local Social Services Department for coverage of funeral costs. While coverage varies drastically from region to region, the city will usually pay for a casket, visitation, funeral service, and your choice of burial or cremation. They will NOT typically cover flowers, a burial vault, an urn, or anything else they view as optional.

If you are already receiving ODSP or Social Assistance, you will more easily be accepted by this program. If you are applying and are not already in their system, they will usually require bank statements and other information from the person for whom you are making the application (the deceased).

Unfortunately this is not something that can be pre-arranged, as financial circumstances are subject to change.