Recent years have seen a significant increase in unclaimed bodies across various Canadian provinces, with escalating funeral costs often cited as the primary reason. This has led to notable changes in infrastructure and fundraising approaches.
Several provinces have reported marked increases in the number of unclaimed bodies. Ontario, for instance, saw numbers rise from 242 in 2013 to 1,183 in 2023, according to Dirk Huyer, the province’s chief coroner. Financial constraints were cited as a growing issue, with the inability to pay rising from 20% to 24% of cases yearly.
When no next of kin claims a body within 24 hours, Ontario deems it unclaimed, although efforts to locate relatives can extend for weeks. If relatives are found but cannot afford to claim the body, local municipalities coordinate with funeral homes for a basic burial. Meanwhile, bodies are stored in morgues or temperature-controlled facilities.
In response to similar trends, Newfoundland and Labrador have started constructing permanent storage facilities, spurred by public outcry over bodies kept in temporary freezers.
The cost of burials varies significantly by location. For example, a single adult grave with the Mount Pleasant Group in Toronto could cost as much as $34,000, excluding additional funeral expenses.
Jeff Weafer, President of the Funeral Services Association of Canada, noted that funeral costs have surged from C$1,800-C$8,000 in 1998 to C$2,000-C$12,000. Government support has not matched The rise in costs, although the federal government recently increased the Canada Pension Plan death benefit by C$2,500, making it a total of C$5,000.
Despite these efforts, Weafer contends that more needs to be done. “This is not a respectful end for Canadians,” he stated. “The reason deceased individuals are going unclaimed by their families is affordability.”
