Guide
Celebration of life or funeral: what's the difference, and which to choose in Ontario
In short
A funeral usually takes place within days of the death, with the body present, before the burial or cremation. A memorial service and a celebration of life take place without the body, often later. A celebration of life focuses on the person's story and can be held almost anywhere. In Ontario, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario says a gathering without the body or cremated remains present can be hosted by anyone, while a service with them present is coordinated by a licensed funeral establishment or by the family itself. Many families combine them, for example a cremation first and a celebration of life weeks later.
Written by Sofiane B. · Founder, Celebrance
- Gathering without the body or ashes
- Can be hosted by anyone (BAO)
- Embalming
- Not required by law in Ontario
- Cooling-off period on a funeral contract
- 30 days
On this page
What is the difference between a funeral, a memorial and a celebration of life?
The difference is mostly when it happens, and whether the body is there:
| Funeral | Memorial service | Celebration of life |
|---|---|---|---|
When | Usually within days of the death | Often a little later | Whenever the family chooses, even months later |
Body or ashes present | The body, before the burial or cremation | No body; sometimes the urn | Usually neither |
Who coordinates it in Ontario | A licensed funeral establishment, or the family itself | Anyone without the ashes present; with them, as for a funeral | Anyone without the body or ashes present |
Where | Funeral home chapel, place of worship, graveside | Place of worship, hall, family home | Almost anywhere: home, garden, hall, restaurant, outdoors |
Tone | Often formal, often religious | Formal or relaxed | Usually personal, sometimes lighter |
Any of them can be religious, spiritual, secular or a mix, and public or private (by invitation only), as the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) notes.
Who is allowed to organize each one in Ontario?
The BAO's consumer guide draws one practical line:
- Without the body or cremated remains present, a memorial service, a celebration of life or a reception, including renting a place for it, can be hosted by anyone. A family, a friend or a celebrant can organize it without a funeral home.
- With the body or cremated remains present, the service is coordinated by a licensed funeral establishment, or by the family itself. Family members may provide funeral services for their own loved one without a licence, except arterial embalming, as long as they are not paid.
Embalming is not required by law in Ontario. A provider may recommend it, for example when there is a long delay before a visitation.
Which one should you choose?
Start with what the person wanted, then the practical questions:
- Their wishes and traditions. A will, a pre-arranged plan or a faith tradition may point to a funeral with the body present, or to a simple cremation and a gathering later.
- Burial or cremation. A burial usually goes with a funeral or a graveside service. After a cremation, the family has more time for the ceremony.
- Who needs time to come. A celebration of life weeks later lets relatives from far away plan the trip.
- The place that feels right. A celebration of life can happen in a garden, a hall or a favourite restaurant. Ask the venue about its rules for music, candles and capacity.
- Your budget. A funeral with visitation and a service in a funeral home includes more services. A gathering without the body mostly costs the place and the person who leads it. Funeral providers must give you their price list before you sign, and you have 30 days to change your mind about a contract.
Can you combine them?
Yes, and many families do:
- A cremation first, a celebration of life later. A licensed transfer service can take care of the body, the paperwork and the delivery to the crematorium, without a service. The family then plans the gathering at its own pace.
- A private funeral or burial, then a larger gathering. Close family attends the funeral or graveside service, then everyone is invited to a celebration of life.
- A funeral with a personal tribute. A funeral can carry the spirit of a celebration of life: stories, music and memories shared by relatives.
For the first steps after a death, the paperwork and scattering ashes, see our guide on how to plan a funeral or celebration of life in Ontario.
Who leads the ceremony?
A celebrant, a faith leader or a family member. A celebrant writes and leads a ceremony that reflects the person: they meet the family, gather the stories, help speakers prepare and keep the timing on the day. They can lead any of the three kinds of gathering, with or without a funeral home.
Celebrance can connect you with a celebrant from our local network in Ontario, at a price shown upfront. See our celebrants for funerals and celebrations of life.
Information checked on September 28, 2026 against the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and the Government of Ontario. Rules can change: confirm with the relevant office before you act.
Sources: thebao.ca: bao cig eng july2025.pdf · thebao.ca: consumer information guide · thebao.ca: family led death care · thebao.ca: consumer rights · ontario.ca: arrange funeral burial cremation alkaline hydrolysis or scattering · ontario.ca: what do when someone dies
Frequently asked questions
Is a celebration of life the same as a funeral?
No. A funeral usually happens soon after the death, with the body present, before the burial or cremation. A celebration of life is a gathering centred on the person's life, usually without the body, and it can be held weeks or months later, at home, outdoors or in a rented hall.
Can you have a celebration of life instead of a funeral in Ontario?
Yes. A funeral service is optional: the Bereavement Authority of Ontario lists visitation and funeral services among the additional services, beyond the minimum a provider supplies for the burial or cremation. The death still has to be registered, which gives the burial permit needed before the burial or cremation, but the ceremony itself is a family choice. Many families choose a cremation without a service, then a celebration of life later.
Who can organize a celebration of life in Ontario?
Anyone, when the body or cremated remains are not present: the Bereavement Authority of Ontario lists these gatherings, and the rental of a place for them, as something anyone can host. When the body or the ashes are present, the service is coordinated by a licensed funeral establishment or by the family itself.
How long after a death can a celebration of life be held?
Whenever it suits the family: days, weeks or months later. Without the body present, nothing sets a deadline, which lets relatives who live far away plan to come.
Can you have both a funeral and a celebration of life?
Yes. Some families hold a private funeral or burial within days, then a larger celebration of life later. Others hold a graveside service for close family and a gathering for everyone afterwards.