OFSA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

The Ontario Funeral Service Association member benefit savings can in fact cover your membership dues! Below are some of the OFSA membership benefits, join to access more!

OFSA represents the Independent and Family Owned Funeral Homes in Ontario.  Becoming a member of the Oldest Funeral Service Association in Canada, you are ensuring there is a strong voice to the various levels of Provincial Government that affects you on a daily basis. OFSA has much to offer and we can't wait to connect with you.

As a member you will have the opportunity to:

  • Make valuable professional contacts
  • Access OFSA resources
  • Voice concerns and add strength to the professions advocacy efforts
  • Provide leadership for the future of Ontario’s funeral profession
  • Opportunities to participate on OFSA committees 

OFSA provides the following benefits for all Establishment Members and their staff:

  • On-Line/On-Demand Continued Education Courses
  • Education Video Library
  • 8 Continued Education Webinars
  • On-line annual WHMIS training
  • Human Resources Toolkit
  • OFSA Advantage Toolkit
  • Networking with Colleagues
  • Legislation and Compliance Discussions
  • Public Awareness and Advocacy

OFSA Preferential Group Rates:

  • SOCAN & Re: Sound Music Licenses 
  • GM Fleet Vehicles - see savings here
  • Extended Health and Dental Group Coverage
  • RRSP Group Benefits
  • Visa, Mastercard and Interac Services
  • OFSA Website Members Resources
  • Free 1hr. Legal Consultation
  • Establishment, Home & Auto Group Insurance rates

In addition, members also have access to:

  • Member pricing on all OFSA Events
  • Weekly News Articles
  • OFSA Newsletters 

Want to know more about the OFSA advantages?

 Contact Us To Learn More

Dedicated to the passionate pursuit of excellence in funeral service.

Funded By Membership

MEMBERSHIP types

The Ontario Funeral Service Association offers a wide variety of membership types to accomodate all those interested in us.

Click on the following categories to see more infomation about each. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us at any time, we would be happy to answer any questions about OFSA membership.

Funeral Establishment Member – Any Independent Funeral Home (as defined in section 4.03 hereof) owned by a licensed Funeral Establishment Operator (Class 1 or Class 2), whether such firm offers funeral services to the public or does not offer funeral services to the public, which applies to the Association for membership as a Funeral Establishment Member, may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated a Funeral Establishment Member. Each Funeral Establishment Member shall be represented by:
(i)               a Full Member , or
(ii)              an Owner (as defined in section 4.03(d)), who has been designated by the Funeral Establishment Member as its representative in lieu of a Full Member, and who has thereafter been accepted as an Owner Member by the Board of Management.
A Funeral Establishment Member shall not have a separate vote; rather, the vote of the Full Member or Owner Member who represents a Funeral Establishment Member shall be deemed to be the vote of the Funeral Establishment Member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a funeral establishment may not be accepted as a Funeral Establishment Member or continue as a Funeral Establishment Member unless all related funeral establishments, transfer services and cemeteries are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Funeral establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Full Members - Any person who is licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Act whose license is in good standing, who operates or is employed by a funeral establishment owned by a licensed Funeral Establishment Operator (Class 1 or Class 2) (as defined in the Act) which is a Funeral Establishment Member, and who applies to the Association for full membership, may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated a “Full Member” and entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to membership fees or any extraordinary expenditure.  The Board of Management has the right to confirm the professional standing of the applicant with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. 
And
Owner Member – Any Owner of a Funeral Establishment Member who is not a Full Member, who has been designated by a Funeral Establishment Member as its representative in accordance with section 4.01(g)(ii), and who applies to the Association for Owner Membership may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated an “Owner Member” and shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters.  The Board of Management may, at any time, restrict the number of Owner/Manager designations which may be made by a Funeral Establishment Member in a calendar year. Notwithstanding anything set out in this by-law, at no time may more than fifteen percent (15%) of Funeral Establishment Members be permitted to designate an Owner Member as their representative in accordance with section 4.01(g)(ii).

Transfer Service Member - Any Independent Transfer Service owned by a licensed transfer service operator (class 1 or class 2) which applies to the Association for membership as a Transfer Service Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Transfer Service Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a transfer service which does not qualify as an Independent Transfer Service (as defined in paragraph 4.03) may not apply for Transfer Service Membership. Transfer Service Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters including those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer service may not be accepted as a Transfer Service Member or continue as a Transfer Service Member unless all related funeral service establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Cemeteries, funeral service establishments and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

 

Establishment Employee Member – Any person who is:
(i)               licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or any successor legislation (the “Act”), whose license is in good standing, who is an employee of a Funeral Establishment Member and who has been sponsored by the said Funeral Establishment Member; or
(ii)              not licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Act, who is an employee of a Funeral Establishment Member and who has been sponsored by the said Funeral Establishment Member, and who applies to the Association for Establishment/Employee Membership, may be accepted as an Establishment/Employee Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Establishment/Employee Members shall be entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Business/Supplier Member – Any corporation, partnership, unincorporated organization or sole proprietorship which is not a funeral establishment owned or operated by a licensed funeral establishment operator (Class 1 or Class 2), or any person who is not employed by such a funeral establishment, which (or who) applies to the Association for membership as a Business/Supplier Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Business/Supplier Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i)               an owner or operator of a cemetery or a crematorium which does not qualify as an Independent Cemetery or Independent Crematorium (as defined in paragraph 4.03 of OFSA By-Laws);
(ii)              a transfer service of any Class; or
(iii)             an employee, owner or operator of a transfer service of any Class,
may not apply for Business/Supplier Membership. Business Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Member – Any licensed funeral director who was a Full Member or Establishment/Employee Member for not less than three years, and who is no longer participating or actively engaged in the funeral profession in any capacity, may apply to the Association for Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Membership, and may be accepted as a Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Members shall be entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Cemetery Member - Any Independent Cemetery owned by a licensed cemetery operator which applies to the Association for membership as a Cemetery Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Cemetery Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a Cemetery which does not qualify as an Independent Cemetery (as defined in paragraph 4.03 in OFSA By-Laws) may not apply for Cemetery Membership. Cemetery Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters including those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cemetery may not be accepted as a Cemetery Member or continue as a Cemetery Member unless all related funeral service establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Cemeteries, funeral service establishments and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Municipal Cemetery Member - Any Cemetery owned by a licensed cemetery operator that is an Ontario municipality which applies to the Association for membership as a Municipal Cemetery Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Municipal Cemetery Member, so long as no licensed funeral establishment is operated on lands or premises owned by such municipality and so long as such municipality does not own or operate, directly or indirectly, a licensed funeral establishment. Municipal Cemetery Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association

Crematorium Member - Any Independent Crematorium owned by a licensed crematorium operator which applies to the Association for membership as a Crematorium Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Crematorium Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a crematorium which does not qualify as an Independent Crematorium (as defined in paragraph 4.03 of OFSA By-Laws) may not apply for Crematorium Membership. Crematorium Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cemetery may not be accepted as a Cemetery Member or continue as a Cemetery Member unless all related cemeteries are or are simultaneously accepted as Cemetery Members of the Association. Cemeteries shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              `related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Intern/Student Associate Member – Any person who is an intern of an Independent Funeral Home or who is enrolled for full-time studies in Funeral Service Education at an accredited post-secondary institution within the Province of Ontario and who applies to the Association for Intern/Student Associate Membership, may be accepted as an Intern/Student Associate Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Intern/Student Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, persons may not be Intern/Student Associate Members for a period exceeding three (3) years.

Associate Member – Any funeral director who holds a Class 1 or Class 2 licence, who is employed by an Independent Funeral Home which is not a member of the Association, and who applies to the Association for Associate Membership, may be accepted for Associate Membership by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person who is the managing director of a funeral establishment may apply for Associate Membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association.
Associate Membership Application

Non-Licensed Associate Member – Any person who is not licensed under the Act and who is not employed by a funeral establishment who applies to the Association for Non-Licensed Associate Membership may be accepted for Associate Membership by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employee, owner or operator of a transfer service may not apply for Non-Licensed Associate Membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association.
 

OFSA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

The Ontario Funeral Service Association member benefit savings can in fact cover your membership dues! Below are some of the OFSA membership benefits, join to access more!

OFSA represents the Independent and Family Owned Funeral Homes in Ontario.  As a member of the Oldest Funeral Service Association in Canada, you are ensuring there is a strong voice to the various levels of Provincial Government that affects you on a daily basis. OFSA has much to offer and we can't wait to connect you to your member benefits.

As a member you will have the opportunity to:

  • make valuable professional contacts
  • access member rates to professional education and events
  • voice concerns and add strength to the professions advocacy efforts
  • provide leadership for the future of Ontario’s funeral profession

The value doesn’t stop here, OFSA also provides the following benefits:

  • FREE On-Line Education Sessions
  • Human Resources Tool Kit
  • OFSA Member Referrals
  • Legislation and Compliance Issues
  • Public Awareness and Advocacy
  • Annual Convention and Trade Show
  • Extended Health and Dental Group Coverage
  • RRSP Group Benefits
  • Preferential Rates on Visa, Mastercard and Interac Services
  • OFSA Website Members Resources
  • Preferential Rates on SOCAN and Re:Sound Music Licences
  • Preferential Rates on GM Fleet Vehicles

In addition, as a member you will receive:

  • Weekly News Articles
  • OFSA Newsletters
  • Access to Professional Development Webinars and Workshops

Want to know more about the advantages of membership with the Ontario Funeral Service Association?  Contact Us To Learn More

Dedicated to the passionate pursuit of excellence in funeral service.

Funded By Membership

MEMBERSHIP types

The Ontario Funeral Service Association offers a wide variety of membership types to accomodate all those interested in us.

Click on the following categories to see more infomation about each. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us at any time, we would be happy to answer any questions about OFSA membership.

Funeral Establishment Member – Any Independent Funeral Home (as defined in section 4.03 hereof) owned by a licensed Funeral Establishment Operator (Class 1 or Class 2), whether such firm offers funeral services to the public or does not offer funeral services to the public, which applies to the Association for membership as a Funeral Establishment Member, may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated a Funeral Establishment Member. Each Funeral Establishment Member shall be represented by:
(i)               a Full Member , or
(ii)              an Owner (as defined in section 4.03(d)), who has been designated by the Funeral Establishment Member as its representative in lieu of a Full Member, and who has thereafter been accepted as an Owner Member by the Board of Management.
A Funeral Establishment Member shall not have a separate vote; rather, the vote of the Full Member or Owner Member who represents a Funeral Establishment Member shall be deemed to be the vote of the Funeral Establishment Member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a funeral establishment may not be accepted as a Funeral Establishment Member or continue as a Funeral Establishment Member unless all related funeral establishments, transfer services and cemeteries are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Funeral establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Full Members - Any person who is licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Act whose license is in good standing, who operates or is employed by a funeral establishment owned by a licensed Funeral Establishment Operator (Class 1 or Class 2) (as defined in the Act) which is a Funeral Establishment Member, and who applies to the Association for full membership, may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated a “Full Member” and entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to membership fees or any extraordinary expenditure.  The Board of Management has the right to confirm the professional standing of the applicant with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. 
And
Owner Member – Any Owner of a Funeral Establishment Member who is not a Full Member, who has been designated by a Funeral Establishment Member as its representative in accordance with section 4.01(g)(ii), and who applies to the Association for Owner Membership may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management and, upon acceptance as a Member, shall be designated an “Owner Member” and shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters.  The Board of Management may, at any time, restrict the number of Owner/Manager designations which may be made by a Funeral Establishment Member in a calendar year. Notwithstanding anything set out in this by-law, at no time may more than fifteen percent (15%) of Funeral Establishment Members be permitted to designate an Owner Member as their representative in accordance with section 4.01(g)(ii).

Transfer Service Member - Any Independent Transfer Service owned by a licensed transfer service operator (class 1 or class 2) which applies to the Association for membership as a Transfer Service Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Transfer Service Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a transfer service which does not qualify as an Independent Transfer Service (as defined in paragraph 4.03) may not apply for Transfer Service Membership. Transfer Service Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters including those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer service may not be accepted as a Transfer Service Member or continue as a Transfer Service Member unless all related funeral service establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Cemeteries, funeral service establishments and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

 

Establishment Employee Member – Any person who is:
(i)               licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or any successor legislation (the “Act”), whose license is in good standing, who is an employee of a Funeral Establishment Member and who has been sponsored by the said Funeral Establishment Member; or
(ii)              not licensed as a Funeral Director (Class 1 or Class 2) under the Act, who is an employee of a Funeral Establishment Member and who has been sponsored by the said Funeral Establishment Member, and who applies to the Association for Establishment/Employee Membership, may be accepted as an Establishment/Employee Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Establishment/Employee Members shall be entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Business/Supplier Member – Any corporation, partnership, unincorporated organization or sole proprietorship which is not a funeral establishment owned or operated by a licensed funeral establishment operator (Class 1 or Class 2), or any person who is not employed by such a funeral establishment, which (or who) applies to the Association for membership as a Business/Supplier Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Business/Supplier Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i)               an owner or operator of a cemetery or a crematorium which does not qualify as an Independent Cemetery or Independent Crematorium (as defined in paragraph 4.03 of OFSA By-Laws);
(ii)              a transfer service of any Class; or
(iii)             an employee, owner or operator of a transfer service of any Class,
may not apply for Business/Supplier Membership. Business Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Member – Any licensed funeral director who was a Full Member or Establishment/Employee Member for not less than three years, and who is no longer participating or actively engaged in the funeral profession in any capacity, may apply to the Association for Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Membership, and may be accepted as a Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Retired/Non-Active Funeral Director Members shall be entitled to vote on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.

Cemetery Member - Any Independent Cemetery owned by a licensed cemetery operator which applies to the Association for membership as a Cemetery Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Cemetery Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a Cemetery which does not qualify as an Independent Cemetery (as defined in paragraph 4.03 in OFSA By-Laws) may not apply for Cemetery Membership. Cemetery Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters including those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cemetery may not be accepted as a Cemetery Member or continue as a Cemetery Member unless all related funeral service establishments, cemeteries, and transfer services are or are simultaneously accepted as Members of the Association. Cemeteries, funeral service establishments and transfer services shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Municipal Cemetery Member - Any Cemetery owned by a licensed cemetery operator that is an Ontario municipality which applies to the Association for membership as a Municipal Cemetery Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Municipal Cemetery Member, so long as no licensed funeral establishment is operated on lands or premises owned by such municipality and so long as such municipality does not own or operate, directly or indirectly, a licensed funeral establishment. Municipal Cemetery Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association

Crematorium Member - Any Independent Crematorium owned by a licensed crematorium operator which applies to the Association for membership as a Crematorium Member may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the Board of Management as a Crematorium Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner or operator of a crematorium which does not qualify as an Independent Crematorium (as defined in paragraph 4.03 of OFSA By-Laws) may not apply for Crematorium Membership. Crematorium Members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association on all matters other than those relating to the financial affairs of the Association.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cemetery may not be accepted as a Cemetery Member or continue as a Cemetery Member unless all related cemeteries are or are simultaneously accepted as Cemetery Members of the Association. Cemeteries shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this by-law if they are owned by:
(i)               the same person or group of persons, including a partnership;
(ii)              `related persons as defined in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor legislation;
(iii)             the same corporation; or
(iv)             associated corporations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time.

Intern/Student Associate Member – Any person who is an intern of an Independent Funeral Home or who is enrolled for full-time studies in Funeral Service Education at an accredited post-secondary institution within the Province of Ontario and who applies to the Association for Intern/Student Associate Membership, may be accepted as an Intern/Student Associate Member by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Intern/Student Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, persons may not be Intern/Student Associate Members for a period exceeding three (3) years.

Associate Member – Any funeral director who holds a Class 1 or Class 2 licence, who is employed by an Independent Funeral Home which is not a member of the Association, and who applies to the Association for Associate Membership, may be accepted for Associate Membership by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person who is the managing director of a funeral establishment may apply for Associate Membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association.
Associate Membership Application

Non-Licensed Associate Member – Any person who is not licensed under the Act and who is not employed by a funeral establishment who applies to the Association for Non-Licensed Associate Membership may be accepted for Associate Membership by a vote of the majority of the Board of Management. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employee, owner or operator of a transfer service may not apply for Non-Licensed Associate Membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association.