Funeral and celebration of life celebrants in The Blue Mountains

In The Blue Mountains, Celebrance can arrange a celebrant for a funeral or a celebration of life from $350, HST included. Tell us about your loved one and the date you have in mind; a local celebrant gets back to you quickly, and if they become unavailable, we find a replacement for you.

From$350HST included

We'll be there: a replacement if your celebrant becomes unavailable
HST included

A rocky cove on the Collingwood shoreline

Request a celebrant

Tell us what you need. A local celebrant will get back to you as soon as possible.

Packages and prices

Price (HST incl.)

Short or graveside service
20 min
$350
A brief, dignified ceremony, at the graveside or elsewhere.
- Short call with the family
- Brief ceremony
Send a request
Celebration of life service
45 min
$450
A celebrant leads the ceremony, with a tribute written with your family.
- Meeting with the family
- Written tribute
- Leading the ceremony
Send a request
Custom celebration of life
60 min
$700
A ceremony built with your family around the person you are honouring, with more time to prepare it together.
- Everything in the celebration of life service
- A second meeting with the family
- Readings, music and rituals planned with you
- Coordination with the venue or the funeral home
Send a request

What does the Town cemetery in The Blue Mountains offer?

The Town owns and operates the Thornbury Clarksburg Union Cemetery, at 111 Russell Street West in Thornbury, and also maintains seven heritage cemeteries. It is a non-profit, non-denominational cemetery, open to people of all faiths. It offers casket burials and cremation interments, either in the ground or in a columbarium niche, as well as memorials without remains. In 2026, an in-ground cremation interment costs $510 and a niche interment $350, plus HST. The plot or niche itself is extra. The cemetery rules ask for at least 24 hours' notice of an interment. Saturday interments must take place by 4 p.m., and there are none on Sundays. A natural burial area is being designed. You can reach cemetery staff at 519-599-3131, ext. 289; for an urgent after-hours request, leave a message at ext. 281.

Can you scatter ashes in The Blue Mountains?

Not on Town property. The Town does not permit scattering on any Town-owned property, including the Thornbury Clarksburg Union Cemetery and its heritage cemeteries. Elsewhere, Ontario allows scattering on private land with the owner's consent, and a private landowner cannot charge a fee unless they are a licensed cemetery operator. Scattering is also allowed on Crown land, including land covered by water, if it is unoccupied and no sign prohibits it. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario gives the Great Lakes as an example.

Where can you hold a celebration of life in The Blue Mountains?

The Beaver Valley Community Centre, 58 Alfred Street West in Thornbury, has a small hall for 72 seated guests at $195 for the day with furniture. Its large hall seats 240 at $340 for the day, and the kitchen adds $85. The Craigleith Community Centre (30 people) and Ravenna Hall (29 seated) cost $50 for a half day or $100 for a full day, but licensed events are not allowed there. Among the pavilions, the Thornbury Harbour Pavilion is $85 a day and the Bayview Park Pavilion $120. All rates are plus HST. You can book online through the Town's recreation booking platform or call 519-599-3131, ext. 289. For a private event, the Town requires $2 million in liability insurance naming the Town as additional insured. If you use your own policy, send proof at least 5 days before.

How can you honour someone with a bench or tree?

The Town's Community Services Department sells memorial benches and trees. Benches cost from $935 (composite or galvanized) to $2,035 (Georgian Trail model), and a tree costs $700, plus HST. You choose the location with Parks staff, then approve the plaque wording. Installation does not happen in winter. You can pay at Town Hall, 32 Mill Street in Thornbury.

When is a celebrant a good fit?

A celebrant is a good fit when you want a ceremony that speaks about the person, religious or not. A celebrant from our local network comes to the place you choose, whether that is a funeral home, a cemetery, a park, a hall or your home. They write the ceremony around the person's life. With Celebrance, the price is shown upfront, all-in, and if the celebrant becomes unavailable, Celebrance finds a replacement.

Information checked on September 24, 2026 against official sources from the Town of The Blue Mountains and the Province of Ontario. Rules and fees can change: confirm with the Town before you plan.

Updated on October 3, 2026