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Updated January 2011 |
Employment and Social Services provides financial assistance on behalf of deceased Toronto residents who do not have sufficient funds in their estate to fully cover the cost of a basic funeral, burial and/or cremation.
Employment and Social Services will pay a funeral home or cemetery to provide funeral, burial and/or cremation services and products in accordance with the items and rates approved by Toronto City Council.
Important: Employment and Social Services must authorize services before a contract is signed with a funeral home or cemetery. Employment and Social Services will not reimburse the cost of a funeral, burial or cremation after a contract is signed, as Employment and Social Services is not in a position to interfere with a legally binding contract. Partial payments to make changes to the services and products provided are not allowed.
Eligibility is based on the financial circumstances of the deceased person and the deceased person's spouse at the time of death. For example, assets, sources of income, RRSPs and life insurance will all be considered.
The deceased person does not have to be in receipt of Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program at the time of death to be eligible.
It is preferred that the executor/executrix initiate the funeral arrangements. If there is no executor/executrix, a relative, friend or professional associated with the deceased person can apply. The person applying for the assistance should be the person making the arrangements at the funeral home, as the death certificate will include the name of the person who arranged the funeral.
If the deceased was in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program at the time of death, you can go directly to the funeral home of your choice. However, before making the funeral arrangements you must advise the funeral director that you will be seeking assistance for payment from Employment and Social Services. The funeral director will contact Employment and Social Services for payment authorization.
If the deceased was not in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance at the time of death, an application must be made at a Employment and Social Services office. It is recommended that you contact Employment and Social Services first to book an appointment and find out what information is needed to complete the application (for example, the deceased person's identification and asset information).
Funeral homes and cemeteries understand the need for sensitivity and respect differences based on religious or cultural rites. Funeral directors and Employment and Social Services caseworkers have information to help with funeral plans. Assistance is only available if the funeral, burial, and/or cremation is to take place within Ontario.
Employment and Social Services will pay the funeral home in accordance with the items and rates approved by Toronto City Council for either the simple transfer of the body for cremation, burial, or for a traditional funeral service.
Employment and Social Services will purchase a burial lot. If the deceased owned a lot or one was purchased on their behalf prior to the death, Employment and Social Services will cover the cost of opening and closing the grave, to a standard depth.
Employment and Social Services will pay for the cremation, including a standard urn provided by the crematorium. The cost of scattering the remains in a cemetery, burial in a pre-owned plot or cemetery common ground is also covered.
Under the Ontario Works Act, Employment and Social Services is entitled to recover the cost of the funeral, burial and/or cremation from all sources available to the deceased person. Recovery sources include monies in bank accounts, RRSP's, last assistance from Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pension Death Benefit and other sources.
The Funeral Director's Statement of Death Certificate is retained by Employment and Social Services. To inquire about the process for requesting a copy of the certificate for the administration of the deceased's estate, contact Funeral Services at 416-392-1666.
This article contains general information only. If you require more information, please contact Client Special Services Unit - Funeral Services, at 416-392-1666, or call one of our local offices.
