Ontario funeral home website price list checklist
Facts checked . Rules change; confirm with the regulator.
Not legal advice. This page summarises public rules as we read them on . The official texts do not fully agree with each other (explained below). Before relying on this page, confirm with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) or your own lawyer.
Ontario has rules about what a funeral home's website must show. The consolidated regulation online and the later amendment are worded differently, so this page quotes both and gives the safe course: post the items either way.
The short version
Whatever the final reading, it is safe and simple to put three things on your website: your free, printable, dated price list; your licence number and licence type written in full; and a link to the BAO Consumer Information Guide. Then confirm the details with the BAO.
What the consolidated regulation says today
The consolidated O. Reg. 30/11 on e-Laws, as displayed on 16 October 2026 (no consolidation date shown), ties both website duties to homes where people can enter into a contract through the website:
“(3) If an operator maintains or makes use of a website where a person may enter into a contract with the operator for the sale of a licensed supply or service, the operator shall provide access to an electronic version of the price list in printable form on the website, without charge.”
“(2) If an operator maintains or makes use of a website and enters into contracts for the sale of licensed supplies or services through the website, the operator shall ensure that the operator’s licence number and a description of the type of licence are available in a conspicuous place on the website.”
Why the rule may be broader
An amending regulation filed in 2021 is worded more broadly. It covers any website used to promote licensed services, not only websites used for contracts. It says these sections came into force on 1 July 2021 (s. 13(2)):
“1. Subsection 68 (3) of Ontario Regulation 30/11 is revoked and the following substituted: (3) Every operator who maintains or makes use of a website to promote the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service or to enter into a contract for the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service shall ensure that the operator’s price list is available, without charge, in a printable form in a clearly visible place on the website.”
“4. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section: … 112.2 Every operator who maintains or makes use of a website to promote the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service or to enter into a contract for the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service shall ensure that a link to the website where the registrar has posted the consumer information guide in accordance with section 112.1 is available in a clearly visible place on the website maintained or used by the operator.”
“117. (1) Every operator who maintains or makes use of a website to promote the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service or to enter into a contract for the sale or provision of a licensed supply or service shall ensure that the operator’s licence number and a description of the operator’s type of licence are available in a clearly visible place on the website.”
The BAO's directive of 16 July 2021 quotes the broader wording and says:
“It has come to the BAO’s attention that some operators are requiring consumers to do certain things prior to allowing access to the operator’s price list on the operator’s website. Such things include forcing the consumer to supply their contact information or requiring acceptance of a privacy policy or other terms or conditions prior to accessing the price list. This practice is not allowed and must cease immediately.”
“Price lists must be easily accessible and clearly visible on a website and not concealed, or otherwise positioned to force a consumer to “hunt” for it.”
“In addition, operators are reminded that their licence number and type of licence (example: Funeral Establishment Class 1) must be displayed in a clearly visible place on the website without using abbreviations (example FE1).”
What this means. The amendment and the BAO both point to the broader rule. The consolidated text on e-Laws has not been updated to match, and we cannot tell from the public pages which the BAO applies in practice. Ask the BAO to confirm. The safe course is to post the items below whether or not families can sign contracts on your website.
The BAO Consumer Information Guide is at thebao.ca/for-consumers/consumer-information-guide/ (page loaded 2026-10-16).
What the price list itself must contain (selected rules)
“54. The price list shall be written in plain language and legibly printed in 10 point or larger type.”
“55. (1) The price list shall include every licensed supply and service that the operator generally provides.”
“(6) The price list shall always be up-to-date and shall indicate its effective date.”
Sections 55 to 67 set out more content rules, including descriptions, taxes, minimum prices, packages and separately priced items. Read them in full before you revise your list.
Printable checklist
Ontario website checklist · rules checked 16 October 2026 · the safe course whether or not you take contracts online · not legal advice
- Our current price list is on the website, free, and can be printed (required by the consolidated s. 68(3) if families can contract through the site; recommended either way).
- It is in a clearly visible place, easy to find from the home page.
- Visitors do not have to give a name, email or phone number, or accept any terms, to see it (BAO directive).
- The price list shows its effective date and is up to date.
- It is in plain language and at least 10-point type.
- It includes every licensed supply and service we generally provide.
- Our licence number is clearly visible on the website.
- Our licence type is written in full (for example, “Funeral Establishment Class 1”, not “FE1”).
- A link to the BAO Consumer Information Guide is clearly visible, for example on the home page.
- We have asked the BAO (or our lawyer) which wording applies to our website, and noted the answer.
Checked by: ______________________ Date: ______________
If you also serve families in the United States
The US Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) requires a General Price List for people who ask in person:
“Give a printed or typewritten price list for retention to persons who inquire in person about the funeral goods, funeral services or prices of funeral goods or services offered by the funeral provider.”
The FTC’s guidance adds: “You must give consumers who telephone your place of business and ask about your prices or offerings accurate information from your General Price List, Casket Price List, and Outer Burial Container Price List.” (Complying with the Funeral Rule, checked 2026-10-16.)
Online prices are not yet required federally. The FTC is reviewing whether to require online price lists. Its regulatory agenda lists the matter at the “Prerule Stage” and states: “Staff is currently reviewing the public comments.” (RIN 3084-AB55, checked 2026-10-16.) Nothing has been finalised. Some states set their own rules, so check with your state board.
Common questions
Do Ontario funeral homes have to put their price list online?
The consolidated O. Reg. 30/11 on e-Laws (s. 68(3), checked 16 October 2026) requires a free, printable price list on the website if people can enter into a contract through it. A 2021 amendment, O. Reg. 258/21, and a BAO directive point to a broader rule covering any website used to promote services. Confirm with the BAO; the safe course is to post the price list either way.
Can we ask for an email address before showing the price list?
The BAO Registrar's Directive of 16 July 2021 says requiring contact information or acceptance of a privacy policy or other terms before accessing the price list is not allowed.
How should our licence appear on the website?
The consolidated s. 117(2) requires the licence number and a description of the licence type in a conspicuous place if you contract through the website. The BAO asks all operators with websites to show them in a clearly visible place, with the type written in full, for example Funeral Establishment Class 1, not FE1.
Do US funeral homes have to post prices online?
Not under federal law as of 16 October 2026. The FTC Funeral Rule requires a General Price List for in-person inquiries and price information by telephone. An FTC review of online price disclosure is at the prerule stage and is not final.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It summarises public rules as checked on 16 October 2026, and the official texts do not fully agree. Confirm with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario or your own lawyer before relying on it.