Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about funeral planning, cremation, prepaid contracts, consumer rights, and the role of the Funeral and Cremation Services Council of Saskatchewan.

Whether you’re making arrangements today or planning for the future, we’re here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

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The Funeral and Cremation Services Council of Saskatchewan (FCSCS) regulates licensed funeral homes, crematoriums, transfer services, funeral directors, embalmers, and salespeople throughout Saskatchewan.

Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from consumers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us—we’re happy to help.

What are the advantages of preplanning my funeral?

Who is responsible for making my final arrangements?

The Funeral and Cremation Services Act sets out the order of persons who are authorized to make your arrangements and the person responsible is referred to as the Authorized Decision Maker. In order, they are:

the executor named in the will of the deceased;
the spouse of the deceased or a person with whom the deceased cohabited as a spouse in a relationship of some permanence;
an adult child of the deceased;
a parent or legal custodian of the deceased;
an adult brother or sister of the deceased;
a grandparent of the deceased;
an adult grandchild of the deceased;
an adult uncle or aunt of the deceased;
an adult nephew or niece of the deceased;
an adult next of kin of the deceased determined on the basis provided by sections 13 and 14 of The Intestate Succession Act, 1996;
another adult person having some relationship with the deceased not based on a family relationship.

In cases where there is more than one person in a particular class of persons, the eldest person is deemed to be the authorized decision maker. It is important to note that an adult person who is not related to the deceased cannot authorize cremation.

Is embalming a requirement?

How do I determine the costs of funeral services?

Can I perform any funeral services myself?

embalming, which can only be performed by a licensed embalmer
cremation, which can only be conducted in a licensed crematorium

In addition, you would be required to obtain documents required by legislation prior to burial or cremation. In Saskatchewan burial of human remains can only take place in a registered cemetery.

How do I donate my body to medical science?

I have a prepaid contract that includes earth burial and I now wish to have my body cremated. What is required to do this?

I have a prepaid contract with a funeral home but wish to have my contract transferred to another funeral home. What is required?

The new funeral home you select can complete an Order for Transfer and submit it on your behalf. The other funeral home is required to arrange for the transfer of funds between financial institutions within 15 business days. You should be aware that the former funeral home is entitled to retain the lesser of 10% or $250 if the contract is less than one year old or the lesser of 10% or $500 if the contract is over one year old.

Can I supply my own urn for cremated remains?

How do I know if the cremated remains I receive are those of our family member?

Crematoria owners are required to maintain stringent continuous identification procedures from the initial identification by the Authorized Decision Maker until the time the cremated remains are released. A numbered metal disk follows the body through the cremation process and is returned with the cremated remains. All crematoria documents are also subject to regular inspection to ensure compliance.