General Questions
1. Can I legally buy a casket from somewhere other than the funeral home?
Yes, Families have the legal right to purchase funeral merchandise (such as caskets or urns) from any supplier they choose.
According to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), funeral establishments cannot require you to buy a casket from them as a condition of providing funeral services.
2. Will the funeral home accept a casket I bought elsewhere?
Yes by law, they must. A licensed funeral establishment cannot charge extra fees or refuse service simply because you did not buy their casket.
3. Do I have to tell the funeral home I’m buying my own casket?
It is not necessary to tell them upfront that you will be purchasing a casket from outside the funeral home, we recommend speaking to one of our staff before speaking with the funeral home. But they are not legally entitled to reject it.
Cost and Value
4. Why are Casket Depot caskets cheaper than funeral home caskets?
Funeral homes often mark up caskets by 200–400%. Casket Depot sells directly to consumers, eliminating that markup while offering comparable or identical models.
5. Are there hidden fees when I bring my own casket?
No. Funeral homes cannot charge “handling fees” or “outside casket fees.” However, they may still charge for regular services like staff time or transportation.
6. Do third-party caskets meet the same quality standards?
Yes. Most are made by the same manufacturers that supply funeral homes — just sold at wholesale or retail-direct prices.
Delivery & Logistics
7. How long does delivery take?
Casket Depot offers same day or next day delivery within the GTA and surrounding areas. For rural areas, please contact us and we will advise when we can deliver.
8. Can the casket be shipped directly to the funeral home?
Yes. Most customers choose to have it delivered directly to the funeral home for convenience. The supplier will usually coordinate the delivery time with the funeral director.
9. What if the funeral home says they’ll charge for “inspection” or “storage”?
They can only charge reasonable storage if you bring it very early (e.g., weeks before use), but they cannot penalize you for using your own casket.
Legal Rights & Protection
10. What laws protect me when buying a casket outside the funeral home?
In Ontario, the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) and Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) regulations protect consumers from unfair sales practices or pressure tactics.
11. Can I file a complaint if a funeral home refuses my casket?
Yes. You can report any violation to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) at www.thebao.ca
General Product Information
12. What size casket do I need?
Standard adult caskets are approx. 79” x 28” x 23” (interior). Oversized and child sizes are also available, We can help confirm compatibility with the funeral home’s equipment.
13. Are there eco-friendly or cremation-specific options?
Yes — biodegradable wood or cloth-covered options are available and fully approved for Ontario crematories and cemeteries.
Peace of Mind
15. What if the casket arrives damaged or late?
Casket Depot offers worry free purchasing & guaranteed delivery timelines and replacement policies. Meaning in the case your casket arrives with any issues we will gladly replace it at no extra cost. We also guarantee caskets will arrive on time.