Cremation in Ottawa: What to Expect

Planning a cremation for a loved one can be challenging, but knowing what to expect beforehand can make the process easier for grieving families. In this article, we explain the arrangements process when it comes to cremation in Ottawa.

Making cremation arrangements in Ottawa

At Eirene, we make cremation arrangements as straightforward as possible. One of the ways we do this is through our online platform. However, before making arrangements, we invite people to visit our website to learn more about Eirene, our staff, and the services offered. Visitors can also browse an online urn catalog or check out the blog and help centre for end-of-life resources and guidance.  

Arrangement packages can be found by clicking on "services" or "pricing" in the website's top menu. In Ottawa, and across Ontario, cremation and aquamation services are offered. Eirene also has prepaid arrangement services. We value transparency, so all packages are itemized and easily accessible to clients.

Get started with online booking by clicking on "Start Arranging" in the top right corner. A menu will open that lists options for choosing the services that best suit your needs.

The form can be completed independently, or contact our team for assistance. Arrangements can be made entirely on the phone or via email if preferred.

A licensed funeral director on our team will take client information over the phone and walk them through the steps to complete arrangements in the province. In-person meetings with our licensed funeral directors are possible but would be arranged at Eirene's office in downtown Hamilton, which is over a five-hour drive from Ottawa. Therefore, online or over the phone is likely best for Ottawa families. Note: Eirene's customer service is offered primarily in English.

After making the initial arrangements, our staff corresponds with our partner location in the suburb of Orléans, Ottawa. The partner location handles transportation, cremation, and the return of cremated remains to the family. Most of the correspondence with the family is done through Eirene. Our staff works on behalf of the client family and coordinates services with our partner location.

Transferring your loved one in Ottawa

Once our team receives confirmation from a family that they would like us to care for their loved one’s remains, our staff contacts our partner to initiate services. The transfer service then takes the deceased person's body to our partner facility in Orléans. If a family wants to make an identification or witness the cremation, we will arrange it at our partner's location.

In Ontario, it is also legal to transport a deceased person's body in a private vehicle. Families can contact Eirene's team to discuss these arrangements if desired.

Documentation and logistics in Ottawa

Eirene handles most of the cremation planning and details, such as collecting information from the family, completing and submitting documentation, collecting payments, obtaining death certificates, etc. Once the paperwork is filled out and payment is made, our team will correspond with our partner in Ottawa. Eirene offers a cremation package for those that want to attend the cremation of their loved one. This is arranged at the partner location. (More information on the "Witnessing" package here).

If a person dies outside of Ottawa, it may be possible for a cremation to take place in the city. This depends on location and logistics and would be decided on a case-by-case basis. Eirene also has partners in North Bay, Peterborough, Burlington and Hamilton. Services may be referred to partners in one of these locations if a death occurs nearby.

Cremation process

After paperwork, transfer, payment, etc., have been handled, the deceased person’s body is prepared for cremation.

Medical implants (e.g., pacemakers) that contain a battery or pose a safety risk to crematorium staff are removed to prepare for cremation. Other metals, like fillings or joint replacements, remain in the body. Combustible materials like clothes also stay on the body and are incinerated during the process. Jewelry is removed and returned.

A deceased person's body is cremated by exposing it to flames and extreme heat in a chamber. The high temperatures (around 760 to 980 Celsius / 1400-1800 F) reduce organic matter, leaving behind bone fragments and non-combustible materials (e.g., surgical or dental metals). After a cooling period, the metal is removed and recycled. Bone fragments are pulverized to create a coarse grey or brown powder known as cremated remains or ashes. Cremated remains are placed in an urn or container and returned to loved ones.

Returning your loved ones' ashes

After cremation, our staff will contact the partners to handle the hand delivery of ashes back to their loved ones. We make an appointment with families to ensure an in-person delivery. Cremated remains will never be left on someone's doorstep or in a mailbox. This is the standard in all locations.

Documents needed to handle estate matters (e.g., death certificate) are sent to the deceased person's family via Express Post. Our staff will also provide a link to create an account with Eirene's partner, Cadence, a company that assists families with after-death matters that the executor or authorized decision maker (next of kin) needs to complete.

Cremation cost in Ottawa

Cremation costs in Ottawa are on par with other larger cities in Canada. You can see a detailed discussion of cremation pricing for Ottawa and other Ontario cities and towns in this article called Cremation Cost in Ontario. To see the cost of cremation packages from Eirene, click here.

Funeral payment plans available to Ottawa families

At Eirene, we believe in providing access to affordable, quality death care. That is why we have partnered with Affirm, a service that offers financial assistance to clients, allowing families to make installment payments for desired services with no hidden fees or late fees.

Families can apply to set up a payment plan that works best for their financial situation. Eirene will also help to support families ineligible for an Affirm payment plan.

Learn more about additional funeral financial assistance in the articles below. Families can also contact Eirene by phone (647-955-4375) or email (support@eirene.ca) for information.

• Ontario Funeral Financial Assistance Programs
• How Ontario Works Funeral Assistance Works
• How the Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit Can Help Fund a Funeral
• What Government Funeral Assistance is Available if You Can't Afford End-of-Life Expenses in Canada
• What if You Can't Afford to Die? Tips for Funding Funeral Costs
• Cremation Services in Ontario
• Cremation Services in Ottawa
  

What makes Eirene's cremation arrangements in Ottawa unique

Filtering through the endless service options available can be challenging when planning a funeral. At Eirene, we aim to simplify funeral planning while providing continuous support and guidance to grieving families.

Our online platform allows families to have as much or little to do with their loved one's final arrangement. Families enter the required information, pay a flat rate, and have Eirene handle the rest. There are no surprises or hidden fees. Our all-inclusive cremation and aquamation packages are itemized and easily accessible to clients.

Questions about cremation in Ottawa?

For questions about cremation in Ottawa and all the communities we serve in Ontario, reach out to our team via email at support@eirene.ca or call us at 647-955-4375.