Effective September 14th, 2021

As a regulated profession in the Province of Ontario, each and every funeral establishment is required to comply with the government mandates and directives surrounding COVID-19. As such, effective September 14th, 2021, the following measures will take effect:

On Sept. 14, 2021, the government released regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing proof of vaccination requirements for patrons.
 
This Notice to the Profession provides guidance regarding how these requirements apply to the bereavement sector.
 
Proof of vaccination requirements do not apply to:

• Funeral services including rites, ceremonies, visitations, receptions, or social gatherings held in places of worship.
  
• Funeral services including rites, ceremonies, visitations, receptions, or social gatherings held in funeral establishments, cemeteries, crematoriums, and similar establishments that provide bereavement services and are licensed to operate under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002.
  
• Funeral services conducted in any indoor setting, limited to the actual funeral rites or ceremonies, but not an associated social gathering or reception. These settings can include any meeting or event space, conference centre, or convention centre.

Proof of vaccination requirements apply to social gatherings or receptions associated with a funeral service, rite, or ceremony in a meeting or event space, conference centre, or convention centre.
 
Additional information in these Government of Ontario links:  

• Ontario Regulation 
• Sept. 14 News Release 
• Sept. 14 Backgrounder/FAQ PDF 
• Sept. 14 Ministry of Health Guidance document PDF

Effective July 16, 2021

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has issued the following Registrar’s Directive in alignment with the Government of Ontario’s Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen announcement today.

Indoor and outdoor funeral services, including visitations, will start operating under these requirements on Friday, July 16th.

No additional measures have been added in this Registrar’s Directive.

Indoor funeral services:

• Indoor funeral services are permitted with physical distancing of two metres (six feet) between people.
• No capacity limit, except for the physical distancing requirement. 
• Masks or face coverings are required indoors.
• Passive screening continues: There must be passive screening of guests, meaning have COVID signage at the entrance for guests to self-assess. (Here’s a link to the BAO’s screening sign, found on our COVID-19 web section.)
• Guests must still be logged to enable contact tracing. Records must be kept for 30 days.
• All attendees and staff must adhere to local public health unit restrictions.

Outdoor funerals / Services at cemeteries:

• No capacity limit, except for the physical distancing requirement.
• Cemeteries can restrict access as they deem necessary, as usual. 
• All attendees and staff must adhere to local public health unit restrictions.

Staffing ratios

• There will no longer be a set staffing ratio.
• Funeral establishments and cemeteries are responsible for ensuring physical distancing and the wearing of masks or face coverings indoors.

Thank you to everyone for your patience as we try to transition, please do not hesitate to contact the funeral home if you have questions regarding our protocols and procedures.

The Smith Family