Social Services Support

A guide to social services funeral, burial, and cremation assistance in Ontario

Losing someone is hard enough without worrying about how to pay for their funeral. If you or your family cannot afford the cost of a funeral, burial, or cremation, financial help may be available through your local municipality.

Each region across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding areas administers its own program through Ontario Works or a regional social services department. Eligibility is generally based on the financial situation of the deceased and their estate, not the family arranging the service. Anyone making the arrangements can apply, but in most cases approval must happen before the funeral takes place.

Below is a region-by-region overview of who to contact, what is typically covered, and where to find more information. At Sensible Choice Cremation, we are happy to walk you through the process and coordinate directly with your local social services office.

Important: In almost every region, you must apply for assistance before the funeral, burial, or cremation takes place. Contact your local office, or call us first, and we will help you start the process.

Find Your Region

Toronto

Etobicoke, Scarborough, Downtown Toronto

The City of Toronto provides funeral and burial assistance through Ontario Works for residents who cannot cover end-of-life costs. Assistance covers a basic funeral, burial, or cremation, and may include items such as the casket or urn, transfer of the deceased, the service, and cemetery or cremation fees up to set maximums.

Who to contact: City of Toronto Employment and Social Services
Phone: 311 (within Toronto)
Online: Funerals and Burials – City of Toronto

Apply before any arrangements are finalized. The funeral home, including Sensible Choice Cremation, can help coordinate with the city on your behalf.

Peel Region

Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon

Peel Region offers financial help for funeral, burial, and cremation expenses to residents who meet the financial eligibility criteria. The program covers a basic dignified service, including transfer, preparation, casket or urn, and disposition costs up to regional limits.

Who to contact: Region of Peel – Ontario Works
Phone: 905-793-9200
Online: Funeral Arrangements and Financial Help – Peel Region

Approval must be obtained before the funeral takes place. Peel will assess the estate of the deceased and any available resources before confirming coverage.

York Region

Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora etc

York Region provides funeral, burial, and cremation assistance through its Community and Health Services department for residents whose estates cannot cover end-of-life expenses. Coverage typically includes the basic professional services of the funeral director, transfer, a basic casket or urn, and burial or cremation fees up to set limits.

Who to contact: York Region Community and Health Services – Social Services
Phone: 1-877-464-9675
Online: York Region – Social Services

Applications should be submitted before arrangements are finalized. York Region publishes a Funerals, Burial and Cremations handbook outlining covered services and current rates.

Halton Region

Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills

Halton Region provides funeral and burial assistance through Ontario Works to residents who cannot afford end-of-life expenses. Assistance covers a basic funeral package, including transfer, professional services, a basic casket or urn, and disposition fees.

Who to contact: Halton Region – Ontario Works
Phone: 311 or 905-825-6000
Online: Funeral Home Assistance – Halton Region

Eligibility is based on the financial situation of the deceased. Contact Halton before finalizing any arrangements.

Durham Region

Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington

Durham Region offers funeral, burial, and cremation assistance through Ontario Works for residents in financial need. The program covers a basic, dignified service with set maximums for the casket or urn, transfer, professional fees, and disposition.

Who to contact: Durham Region – Ontario Works
Phone: 1-800-372-1102 or 905-666-6240
Online: Ontario Works and Social Assistance – Durham Region

As with other regions, applications must be made before the funeral. Durham assesses the estate before approving coverage.

Hamilton

Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek

The City of Hamilton provides funeral, burial, and cremation assistance for residents who cannot afford end-of-life costs. The program covers a basic service, including transfer, casket or urn, professional fees, and burial or cremation, up to established maximums.

Who to contact: City of Hamilton – Ontario Works
Phone: 905-546-3000
Online: Funerals, Burials and Cremations – City of Hamilton

Contact Hamilton before arrangements are made so eligibility can be confirmed and coverage authorised.

Simcoe County

Barrie, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil, Orillia, Collingwood

The County of Simcoe administers funeral and burial assistance through Ontario Works for residents in financial need. The program covers a basic funeral, including professional services, a basic casket or urn, transfer, and burial or cremation costs.

Who to contact: County of Simcoe – Ontario Works
Phone: 705-722-3132 or 1-800-263-3199
Online: Simcoe County Funeral and Burial Assistance – 211 Ontario

Applications must be made before the funeral. Sensible Choice Cremation can help coordinate with the County of Simcoe on your behalf.

What Is Typically Covered

Coverage varies by region, but most social services programs include the basic items needed for a dignified funeral, burial, or cremation:

• Transfer of the deceased into the funeral home's care
• Basic professional and administrative services of the funeral director
• A basic casket or urn
• Documentation, including the death certificate
• Burial in a basic plot, or cremation fees
• A modest service, where regional rates allow

Items beyond the basic package, such as upgraded caskets, additional services, flowers, or catering, are generally the responsibility of the family. We will always be transparent about what is covered and what is not before any decisions are made.

How to Apply

1. Contact your regional social services office, or call Sensible Choice Cremation and we will help you reach the right person.
2. Complete an application that includes details about the deceased's finances, assets, and any prepaid funeral arrangements.
3. Wait for approval before finalising arrangements. The region will confirm what is covered and at what rate.
4. Work with the funeral home to plan a service that fits within the approved coverage.

We Can Help You Through This

If you are unsure whether you qualify, or if the application process feels overwhelming, please reach out. At Sensible Choice Cremation, we work with families across the GTA every day and we know how each region handles funeral assistance. We will help you contact the right office, complete the paperwork, and plan a respectful, affordable cremation or burial within the coverage available.

Call us anytime. We are here to help.