Resources
NGUZO Association Documents
NGUZO Articles of Association – Last Updated February 21, 2024
NGUZO Association By-Laws – Last Updated July 29, 2022
Last Will And Testament Templates
NGUZO Education Sessions
NGUZO Annual General Members’ Meetings
Funeral‑Related Resources for Various Canada Provinces
Alberta Government & Official Provincial Resources
- Government of Alberta – Funeral Benefits & Support
Official provincial information on funeral benefits (financial assistance for low-income Albertans) and how to apply. Funeral benefits (funeral costs & support) - Alberta Funeral Expense & Grief Counselling Support
Information on reimbursement for funeral expenses and grief counselling for victims of homicide under Alberta programs.
Regulation & Consumer Protection
- Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB)
The regulatory authority for funeral homes, funeral directors, embalmers, and salespeople in Alberta. Provides consumer information, licensed funeral business directory, and complaint process. Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB)
- Consumer rights & planning info (funeral planning basics & what to expect) AFSRB Consumer Information (planning & rights)
Non-Profit & Community Funeral Planning Organizations
- Memorial Society of Alberta
Non-profit society that negotiates preferred funeral rates and helps Albertans plan affordable funerals. Memorial Society of Alberta - Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS)
Alberta member-owned non-profit helping members with fair funeral pricing and planning tools. Cooperative Memorial Society
Bereavement, Grief & End-of-Life Support
- Alberta Health Services – Grief & Bereavement Support
Government health system page with links to grief resources, support groups, palliative care, and bereavement services across Alberta. Grief & Bereavement Support (AHS) - Alberta Grief & Bereavement Information (MyHealth.Alberta.ca)
Provincial palliative care site with grief support info, including youth and family resources. Grief & Bereavement (MyHealth Alberta) - Alberta Support Directory (Dying With Dignity Canada – Alberta)
Directory of palliative, end-of-life care and bereavement support resources across the province. Alberta Support Directory (Dying With Dignity Canada) - Canadian Mental Health Association – Grieving Support Alberta
Information and support for coping with grief through CMHA Alberta Division. Grieving & Support (CMHA Alberta)
British Columbia Government & Official Provincial Resources.
These provide authoritative information on what to do when someone dies, legal requirements, funeral planning, financial assistance, and support.
- BC Government – Family & Funeral Resources
Practical guidance on planning, managing affairs after a death, registering a death, and funeral planning steps.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death - BC Government – Funeral Costs & Financial Assistance
Information about possible provincial financial support to help cover funeral costs if resources are limited.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/general-supplements-and-programs/funeral-costs
Funeral Industry Associations
These sites help you find funeral homes, understand services, and explore options like pre-planning.
- BC Funeral Association – Central resource for funeral providers in BC, pre-planning guidance, and a member directory of licensed funeral homes.
https://www.bcfunerals.com/ - Memorial Society of British Columbia – Not-for-profit focused on helping members plan simple, affordable funerals and connect with contracted providers.
https://memorialsocietybc.org/
Bereavement & Grief Support
Support for emotional and psychological needs during and after bereavement.
- BC Bereavement Helpline – Free helpline offering listening support, grief referrals, and a province-wide resource directory for loss and grief support services.
https://bcbh.ca/ - Canadian Virtual Hospice / MyGrief.ca – National online grief and palliative care information (linked from grief support contexts in BC guides).
https://www.virtualhospice.ca/
Consumer Rights & Funeral Services Regulation
Information to protect consumers when arranging funerals.
- Consumer Protection BC – Funeral Rights & Info
Details on funeral industry regulation, licensing, rights, price transparency, and safety when working with funeral providers in BC.
https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumer-help/consumer-information-funeral-rights/
Nova Scotia Government & Official Provincial Resources.
Government of Nova Scotia – Consumer Info on Funeral Services
Information on pre-arranged funeral agreements, your rights, and what to expect when purchasing funeral services in NS.
https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/consumer-awareness/cemetary-funeral-services/prearrangements-fr.asp
Government of Nova Scotia – Funeral Ceremonies & Services
Overview of funeral and memorial service options (burial, cremation, memorials) and what families may consider.
https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/consumer-awareness/cemetary-funeral-services/events-services-fr.asp
Government of Nova Scotia – Register a Death / Funeral Directors
Official details about death registration, how funeral directors interface with Vital Statistics, and legal requirements (note: funeral directors may use this for professional access).
https://beta.novascotia.ca/register-death
Regulatory & Industry Resources
Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
The regulatory body for funeral directors and embalmers in Nova Scotia, with consumer information, licensed funeral home listings, and guidance on planning services.
https://www.nsbrefd.com/
This site includes:
- Funeral home directory — find licensed providers locally.
- Consumer information — planning guidance, costs, pre-need agreements, and complaints info.
- Planning a Funeral Service — tips on services, choices, and what typically happens.
Funeral Planning Tools & Directories
Ever Loved – Funeral Homes in Nova Scotia
A searchable directory to find funeral homes, cemeteries, hospice providers, and create memorials across Nova Scotia.
https://everloved.com/funeral-homes/NS/
Le Nécrologue – Obituaries for Nova Scotia
Browse obituaries for individuals in Nova Scotia (French interface available).
https://www.lenecrologue.com/necrologie/province/nouvelle-ecosse/
Grief & Bereavement Support
Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia (BFNS)
Non-profit offering grief support programs, community meetings, and services for those coping with loss.
https://bfocb.ca/
Nova Scotia Health – Life Changes & Grief Resources
Grief, bereavement, trauma, and resiliency supports via Nova Scotia Health with links to community and health partner programs.
https://www.nshealth.ca/lifechanges
Nova Scotia Health – About Grief
Information on grief responses, supports, and community grief programs available throughout NS.
https://www.nshealth.ca/comfort-safety-and-support/about-grief
Ontario Government & Official Provincial Resources.
- Ontario Government – Official Funeral Guidance
Consumer Protection for Funeral Services
- Explains your rights when arranging funerals, burials, cremations, alkaline hydrolysis, or dispersal of remains.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-funeral-services
Pre-arrangements & Prepayments
- Guidance on pre-arranged funeral plans, prepayment options, and legal protections.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/prearrangements-funerals-and-prepayments
Arrangements for Funeral, Burial, or Cremation
- Step-by-step guidance for planning funeral services, burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or dispersal of remains.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/arrangements-funeral-burial-or-cremation
- Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO)
BAO is the regulatory body overseeing funeral services in Ontario, ensuring licensed operators and consumer protections.
- Home Page: https://thebao.ca
- Consumer Information Guide: https://thebao.ca/for-consumers/consumer-information-guide
- A downloadable guide covering funeral planning, rights, and prepayment agreements.
- Grief Support Resources: https://thebao.ca/griefinformation
- Links to counselling, support groups, and grief services.
- Licensed Funeral Service Directory: https://thebao.ca/licensed-facilities
- Funeral Planning & Cost Tools
Funeral Hub Canada – Ontario Funeral Services Directory
- Search, compare, and request quotes from licensed Ontario funeral homes.
https://funeralhub.ca
Ontario Funeral Cost Guide
- Transparent cost information for cremation, burial, and other funeral options across Ontario.
https://funeralcostontario.ca
- Grief & Bereavement Support
Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFON)
- Community-based grief support, connections to local support groups.
https://thebao.ca/griefinformation
Canadian Virtual Hospice
- Online grief resources and information for patients, families, and caregivers.
https://www.virtualhospice.ca
Crisis Support – Canada
- 24/7 crisis support for emotional distress related to grief.
- Call: 1‑833‑456‑4566
- Text: 45645 (4 p.m.–12 a.m. ET)
https://thebao.ca/griefinformation
The Ontario Funeral Service Association Resources – The Ontario Funeral Service Association is the leader in advocacy and ethical business advancement for the independent and family owned funeral homes in Ontario, providing Members with professional development, support, resources and peer networks. See their resources:
Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is the leading national funeral service association that represents funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoriums, bereavement sector suppliers and other funeral service professionals. An essential ally and advocate for our members, we are dedicated to promoting the value of meaningful end-of-life services and events through education, public awareness, legislative guidance and advocacy. See their resources
Québec Government & Official Provincial Resources.
These pages offer reliable information on what to do when someone dies, legal requirements, financial support, and planning funeral arrangements.
Government Guidance
- Québec Government – Buying Funeral Arrangements
Steps and tips for purchasing funeral services from a licensed provider after a death. Québec Government – Buying funeral arrangements - Québec Government – Planning Funeral Arrangements Ahead of Time
How to plan and complete funeral arrangements before one’s death, including what to consider in contracts. Québec Government – Planning your funeral arrangements - Québec Government – Funeral Expense Assistance (Frais funéraires)
Information on provincial support and reimbursement for funeral costs (e.g., special funeral benefits). Québec Government – Funeral expenses assistance
Funeral Associations & Service Networks
These organizations help with finding funeral providers, planning, and community support.
- Fédération des coopératives funéraires du Québec – Federation of funeral cooperatives across Québec with member co-ops, obituary listings, planning info, and support. Fédération des coopératives funéraires du Québec (FR/EN)
Funeral Planning & Support Services
Sites and services to help you arrange or compare funeral options.
- Memoria – Funérailles, maisons et salons funéraires au Québec – Funeral homes, obituaries, pre-arrangement info, and funeral service options. Memoria – Funérailles et salons funéraires Québec
- Sérénia Funeral Brokers – Specialized funeral brokerage that helps plan funerals and negotiate pricing in Québec (guidance and resource links). Sérénia Funeral Brokers – Funeral planning & support
- Online Funeral Services Platform (OnlineFuneralServices.ca) – Digital platform to help plan funerals online (e.g., Montreal, Laval). Online Funeral Planning Platform (Québec)
- Funera – Services funéraires accessibles au Québec – Funeral services with online planning and transparent pricing (crémation and other options). Funera – Services funéraires QC