Funeral Home Lawyers in Toronto

GlickLaw is a boutique law firm in Toronto specializing in representing funeral homes, funeral directors, funeral establishment operators, funeral planners, transfer sales representatives, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, cemetery sales representatives and other bereavement professionals facing investigations, legal proceedings, and other regulatory issues with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).

The professional discipline lawyers at GlickLaw are experienced in defending funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematorium professionals against the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and have extensive litigation experience before the Licence Appeal Tribunal. We regularly assist bereavement professionals facing regulatory issues with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

Draw on our knowledge and expertise to navigate investigations and inspections, defend your licence before the Licence Appeal Tribunal, or deal with any other issue you may be facing with your regulator.

funeral urn with candles and flowers

We Can Assist And Act For Funeral Home, Cemetery, and Crematorium Operators On A Wide Range Of Matters, Including:

  • Representing funeral directors, funeral planners, funeral establishment operators, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, and other bereavement professionals responding to complaints, investigations, and inspections;
  • Assisting funeral directors, funeral planners, funeral establishment operators, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, and other bereavement professionals in responding to a Notice of Proposal;
  • Representing funeral directors, funeral planners, funeral establishment operators, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, and other bereavement professionals in discipline hearings before the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Discipline Committee;
  • Representing funeral directors, funeral planners, funeral establishment operators, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, and other bereavement professionals before the Licence Appeal Tribunal when their licence is refused, suspended, revoked, or made subject to conditions;
  • Appealing orders made by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 to the Licence Appeal Tribunal;
  • Appealing decisions of the Licence Appeal Tribunal to the Divisional Court; and
  • Assisting funeral directors, funeral planners, funeral establishment operators, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, and other bereavement professionals in applications for licensing.

Choose GlickLaw as Your Funeral Home Lawyer

GlickLaw specializes in resolving Bereavement Authority of Ontario claims for funeral homes and bereavement professionals in Ontario.

We understand the severity of regulatory action against your business. Our team of funeral home lawyers works diligently to help clients navigate the complaints, inspection, and litigation process. We are experienced in defending funeral home professionals against the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and work tirelessly to defend our clients.

Submit a confidential inquiry today to learn how hiring a funeral home lawyer can help you protect the longevity of your business.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers for Funeral Homes

A funeral home lawyer represents funeral homes and funeral professionals in legal matters involving the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). As legal counsel, a funeral home lawyer can facilitate responses to complaints and inspections, conduct hearings at the Licence Appeal Tribunal, and advocate in front of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario Discipline Committee against claims of funeral home negligence or misconduct.

A cemetery operator lawyer specializes in representing cemetery operators in regulatory disputes involving the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Cemetery operators are licensed by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and must follow all relevant regulations. If the Bereavement Authority of Ontario raises a legal issue regarding the operation of a cemetery, a cemetery operator lawyer can represent their client through the legal process.

A crematorium operator lawyer can represent or provide legal counsel to those licensed to provide cremation services. In order to operate a crematorium or sell crematorium services, a person or business must be licensed with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) and follow all required legislation and regulations. If a complaint or legal issue is brought against a licensed operator, a crematorium operator lawyer can be brought in to help their client navigate the Bereavement Authority of Ontario legal process.

A funeral director lawyer represents funeral directors in legal proceedings involving the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Funeral directors are licensed by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and are expected to follow all relevant rules and regulations. If a claim is brought before the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a funeral director lawyer can provide legal counsel during inspections or investigations or represent their clients before the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

A funeral home lawyer is an asset to anyone in the bereavement industry looking for:

  • Legal advice on regulatory issues relating to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario;
  • Assistance responding to complaints, inspections, and investigations;
  • Representation before the Licence Appeal Tribunal appealing Bereavement Authority of Ontario orders;
  • Legal defence to charges under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002; or
  • Representation before the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Discipline Committee.

If you require legal counsel for any of the above scenarios, a GlickLaw lawyer for funeral homes in Toronto is the first step to resolving any issues efficiently and professionally.

Navigating an inspection, investigation, or regulatory action by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) can be an overwhelming and time-consuming process. An experienced funeral home lawyer can provide the advice and advocacy bereavement professionals and businesses need to resolve claims quickly and professionally.

 

A funeral home lawyer has the tools and resources to help clients navigate their claims, file appropriate responses, and defend themselves in front of disciplinary or appeal committees.

GlickLaw represents all funeral home professionals regulated by the BAO and licensed under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, including funeral directors, transfer service sale representatives, funeral planners, funeral home operators, transfer service operators, cemetery operators, and crematorium operators.

Funeral home, cemetery, and crematorium operators may face various complaints from bereavement clients, including:

 

Unreasonable Costs

If a client feels a funeral home is overcharging for services or being misleading with respect to pricing, they may choose to file a complaint citing unreasonable or unexpected costs.

 

Unprofessional Conduct

Funeral home professionals must adhere to the highest industry standards when dealing with family members of the deceased. If a claim is brought against your business, hiring a lawyer for your funeral home is the first step to resolving any outstanding issues.

 

Breach of Contract

If a client feels that a funeral home has not provided the services contracted for, a complaint may be filed with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Your lawyer will help you understand the scope of the complaint and how to proceed.

 

Negligence

Funeral home negligence is a serious offence in the bereavement industry and may include any number of complaints, ranging from improper embalming to not following the family’s instructions. A funeral home negligence lawyer will help you resolve these claims to minimize the impact on your business.

The FBCSA — Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2022 — is the legislation that governs the regulation of Ontario’s bereavement sector. This legislation is designed to help regulate funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoriums, ensuring customers are protected when making bereavement-related decisions and purchases.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is the regulator for Ontario’s funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoriums, and bereavement industry employees across Ontario. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario administers and enforces the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA).

 

The mandate of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario is to ensure customer protection and professionalism in the bereavement industry. This is carried out by ensuring funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoriums are licensed and meet industry standards of integrity, honesty, and financial leadership.

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has several enforcement options that it can take against funeral homes and bereavement professionals.

 

Discipline

Where funeral home professionals are alleged to have breached the Code of Ethics, they can be referred to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Discipline Committee. If found to have breached the Code of Ethics, the Discipline Committee may require the individual to participate in an educational program or impose a monetary fine.

 

Notice of Proposal

The Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario can issue a Notice of Proposal to refuse to issue or renew a licence, suspend or revoke a licence, or apply conditions to a licence. The Notice of Proposal will set out the reasons for the proposed action and indicate that the licensee can appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

 

Inspections

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario is entitled to inspect the business premises of a licensee. The results of an inspection may be used by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario to pursue disciplinary proceedings or issue a Notice of Proposal.

 

Prosecution

Breaches of certain sections of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 can lead to quasi-criminal charges being laid against a funeral home professional in the Ontario Court of Justice.

If a complaint is brought to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), the complaint is forwarded to the funeral home operator and any licensees named in the complaint, and they are asked to provide a written response and all relevant documentation. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario may also conduct an additional investigation, which could include interviewing witnesses. Hiring a lawyer for your funeral home can help you prepare your response and ensure they follow the guidelines outlined by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

 

In handling complaints, the Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario may take any of the following actions:

  1. Attempt to resolve or mediate the claim.
  2. Provide the licence holder with a warning that further action may be taken if continued activity associated with the complaint is conducted.
  3. Require the individual to attend a particular educational program.
  4. Refer the matter to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario Discipline Committee.
  5. Issue a Notice of Proposal to revoke, suspend, or impose terms, conditions and limitations on a licence.
  6. Take other action as is appropriate and in accordance with the legislation.

When the final decision is made, the licence holder will receive a final letter outlining the Registrar’s actions.

If the Registrar proposes to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a licence, a funeral home lawyer may request a hearing with the Licence Appeal Tribunal on behalf of their client. Hearings must be requested within 15 days of receiving the Notice of Proposal. A hearing will then be held before the Licence Appeal Tribunal to determine if the order imposed will be affirmed or overturned. An appeal does not stay the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s decision, and a motion must be brought before the Licence Appeal Tribunal to request a stay.

GlickLaw has significant experience assisting funeral operators, cemetery operators, funeral directors, and other bereavement professionals in litigation against the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. We have successfully resolved claims for funeral, cemetery, and crematorium clients to protect their businesses and livelihoods. Our clients view this experience as a significant asset.

 

GlickLaw also has substantial experience representing other regulators similar in nature to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. We understand the way that regulators think and act. Our work for regulators has also given us significant experience before the Licence Appeal Tribunal. Our experience working for regulators allows us to assist funeral home professionals facing issues with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

 

If a claim is brought against your business stating negligence of any kind, hiring an experienced GlickLaw lawyer for your funeral home ensures matters are resolved swiftly and with the best possible results.

The cost of hiring a funeral home lawyer can vary depending on several factors, including the scope of the claim and the nature of the dispute. Some matters can be resolved quickly, while others require litigation to protect the business. At GlickLaw, we strive to provide efficient and cost-effective services to our clients. If you are facing an issue with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, contact us to discuss our rates and an estimate of costs.

If you’re facing a funeral home complaint, GlickLaw will provide experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel to help you navigate the claims process.

 

We work with funeral home professionals in Toronto and across Ontario to understand the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s regulatory processes and navigate regulatory issues efficiently and professionally. Our goal is to secure the best possible results for our clients.

 

Submit a confidential inquiry to our team today to learn how our team can help resolve your claim.