Our Guarantee

At Hillcrest Funeral Home, our goal is to exceed your expectations. If, at any time, you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our services or products and we are unable to resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you will not be billed for that specific service or product. Your complete satisfaction with our services and products is our priority.

No Hidden Fees 

Planning a funeral can be very overwhelming and confusing. You may have received a quote from another funeral provider that seems quite low. Sometimes they might not give you all the add on charges until after you have agreed to use their services.  At Hillcrest  the price that you are provided over the phone or provided  at Hillcrest Funeral Home by our licensed Funeral Director is the price you pay. Please select from the different services below to see a break down of our fees. 

Cremation Options and Cost

Cremation is an increasingly popular option for many people, serving as an alternative to burial. Reasons for preferring cremation vary. Some religions request it, while other people consider it more environmentally conscious. Some may simply like the idea of cremation more. During cremation, the remains are placed in a special furnace and reduced to resemble coarse sand.  Cremation is not an alternative to a funeral, but rather an alternative to burials or other forms of disposition.

Disbursements

Disbursements encompass items that are arranged on you behalf. The following items are commonly categorized as disbursements:

Cremation Fee: $325 for regular cremation.  A rush  and oversized cremation TBD

This is a charge by crematorium. 

Death Registration Fee: $25-$45

This fee is charged by the municipality to register the death with the Province of Ontario

Coroner Fee: $75

This fee is required for cremation. 

BAO Consumer Protection Fee: $30

This fee is charged by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) in order to provide the consumer with information on the options within the bereavement sector and to regulate the profession making sure the law is consistently followed. HST does not apply to this charge.

Clergy Honorarium: An amount paid to the clergy for their services.

Mass Fee/Church Fee/Cemetery: Charged by the church/cemetery for their services, with the specific amount set by individual churches and cemeteries.

Newspaper Notices: Charges for death notices placed in newspapers, websites, or other media outlets.

Organist, Soloist, Musician: Payment for musical services. The amount may be set by the musician or determined by you in some cases.

Reception Facilities: A fee charged by the reception facility for their services.

Catering: An amount paid to the caterer for their services.


Cremation FAQ

What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the human body using high heat and flame.  Cremation is not the final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service.

Is a casket needed for cremation?
Ontario law requires a closed casket or rigid container made of wood or other combustible material to allow for the dignified handling of human remains.

Is embalming required prior to cremation?
No. It is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise.

Can the body be viewed without embalming?
Yes, most crematories allow immediate family members to view the deceased prior to cremation.

Can the family witness the cremation?
Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber.  Some religious groups ask for this as part of their funeral custom.

Can an urn be brought into church?
Yes

What can be done with the cremated remains?
While laws vary , in Ontario for the most part, remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or in a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered.

How can I be sure I receive the correct remains?
All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error.  Since it is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time, and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time, it is next to impossible to receive the incorrect remains. 

How long does the actual cremation take?
It all depends on the weight of the individual.  For an average sized adult, cremation can take two to three hours at a normal operating temperature of between 1,000 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What do the cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color.  The remains of an average sized adult usually weigh between 7 and 8 pounds.

Do I need an urn?
An urn is not required by law.  An urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery.  If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container.