A funeral package mainly covers the services of the funeral business. Several fees stay separate, either because they depend on your choices or because another organization bills them: the cemetery, the parish, the newspaper or the Directeur de l'état civil (Quebec's civil registry). Knowing them in advance avoids surprises on the final bill.
Which fees are often left out, and how much do they cost?
| Fee | Why it is often separate | Range observed (before taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| Casket | The model is chosen separately | $800 to $12,000; rental for a viewing followed by cremation: $500 to $1,500 |
| Urn | The model is chosen separately | $50 to $3,000 |
| Embalming | Mostly useful if the body is viewed | $400 to $900 |
| Viewing at the funeral home | The length varies | $300 to $2,600 |
| Church ceremony | Paid to the parish | $400 to $1,000; offering of $500 in several dioceses, music extra |
| Death notice | Published by a newspaper or a website | $300 to $800 in a newspaper; online, free or under $20 |
| Death certificate and copy of the act of death | Fees set by the Directeur de l'état civil | $38.50 to $75 each online; up to $82.25 by mail |
| Cemetery plot | Sold by the cemetery | $800 to $15,000 |
| Opening and closing of the grave | Billed by the cemetery | $700 to $1,500 |
| Columbarium niche | Sold by the cemetery or the columbarium | $950 to $4,500, usually for 25 years |
| Monument or plaque | Often supplied by another merchant | $400 to $7,000; lettering and installation sometimes extra |
| Reception | Hall or caterer | $16 to $35 per person |
| Extra transfer charges | For example based on weight or in case of a contagious disease | Basic transfer: $250 to $700 |
The ranges come from the CompareFuneralHomes.ca cost guide (prices collected in September 2026); the Directeur de l'état civil fees and the tax rates come from the official sites listed in the sources. They are benchmarks, not guaranteed prices.
Do taxes apply to all these fees?
Count the GST of 5% and the QST of 9.975%, or 14.975% in total, on taxable goods and services. The contract must show the amount of taxes separately.
Some cemetery fees may be exempt, in particular when the cemetery is a registered charity. Ask the cemetery whether its fees are taxed before you do your calculations.
Does a winter burial cost more?
In some cemeteries, opening a grave costs more in winter. Other cemeteries keep the casket in a public vault (charnier), a temporary storage place inside the cemetery, until the burial. Ask the cemetery about its conditions and fees before you choose the date.
How do you get the total price before signing?
- Ask for the business's price list: the law requires it to be available to the public at each of its establishments.
- Ask for a written, itemized quote.
- Ask for the list of what is not included.
- Ask for the price of the fees paid to others: cemetery, parish, newspaper.
- Ask for the total with taxes included.
- Compare it with a second quote, for the same content: see how to compare two funeral home quotes.
When you sign, check that every fee appears in the contract with its amount: no fee can be claimed from you otherwise. Also check that the business holds a licence: see how to check a licence.
Which benefits can reduce the bill?
- The Québec Pension Plan death benefit: up to $2,500, if the deceased contributed enough. See who gets it and how to apply.
- The Last Post Fund, for an eligible veteran: up to $7,376 plus taxes for funeral services. See Last Post Fund assistance.
- Depending on the situation: the special benefit for funeral expenses (social assistance), the SAAQ, the CNESST or the IVAC. See who pays for a funeral in Quebec.