Our Guarantee

At Hillcrest Funeral Home we strive to provide you with  more than  you would ever expect of us. If at any point you are not satisfied with any part of our services or products  that we have provided and we are unable to correct the situation to your satisfaction, you will not be invoiced for that service or product we have provided.  We want you to be  completely satisfied with the services and products that you have received.

No Hidden Fees 

Planning a funeral can be very overwhelming and confusing. You may have received a quote from another funeral provider that seems quite low. Sometimes they might not give you all the add on charges until after you have agreed to use their services.  At Hillcrest Funeral Home the price that you are provided over the phone or provided  at Hillcrest Funeral Home by our licensed Funeral Director is the price you pay. Please select from the different services below to see a break down of our fees. 

Cremation Options and Cost

Cremation is an increasingly popular option for many people, serving as an alternative to burial. Reasons for preferring cremation vary. Some religions request it, while other people consider it more environmentally conscious. Some may simply like the idea of cremation more. During cremation, the remains are placed in a special furnace and reduced to resemble coarse sand.  Cremation is not an alternative to a funeral, but rather an alternative to burials or other forms of disposition.

Disbursements

Disbursements are items arranged for and  paid for you on the day of the service. The following are some items that are often identified as disbursements.

Coroner’s Fee – this is a fee charged by the coroner for issuing a certificate that allows cremation to take place. 
Clergy Honorarium – an amount paid to the clergy for their services.
Mass Fee/Church Fee- a fee charged by the church for their services. This amount is set by the individual churches.
Newspaper Notices – these are charges for death notices placed in newspapers or radio or other media outlets.
Organist, soloist, musician- an amount that is paid for musical service. In some cases, the amount is set by the musician or it is an amount to be determined by you.
Reception Facilities- a fee charged by the reception facility for their services. 
Catering- an amount paid to the caterer for their services.

COSTS

Below are the packages that are offered at Hillcrest Funeral Home. Just click on the package and you will see a   drop down list of what is included in that package. For even more detailed information please reference our  Price List 2020.

Cremated remains can be scattered, buried, or they may be kept with the family in a decorative urn.  There are many ways to dispose of ashes today: cremated remains can be placed in an artificial coral reef in the ocean; they can be launched into space or sent up in helium balloons; they can be spun into glass pieces of art or diamonds.

Some religions welcome cremation, while others forbid it.  The Catholic Church had previously banned cremation up until 1963, and burial remains the preferred form of disposition today.  In other Christian denominations, cremation was historically discouraged but is now more widely accepted. In eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, cremation is mandated. In Islam, it is strictly forbidden.  Orthodox Jews also forbid cremation, while other sects of Judaism support cremation; however, burial remains the preferred option. 

Cremation FAQ

What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the human body using high heat and flame.  Cremation is not the final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service.

Is a casket needed for cremation?
Ontario law requires a closed casket or rigid container made of wood or other combustible material to allow for the dignified handling of human remains.

Is embalming required prior to cremation?
No. It is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise.

Can the body be viewed without embalming?
Yes, most crematories allow immediate family members to view the deceased prior to cremation.

Can the family witness the cremation?
Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber.  Some religious groups ask for this as part of their funeral custom.

Can an urn be brought into church?
Yes

What can be done with the cremated remains?
While laws vary , in Ontario for the most part, remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or in a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered.

How can I be sure I receive the correct remains?
All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error.  Since it is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time, and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time, it is next to impossible to receive the incorrect remains. 

How long does the actual cremation take?
It all depends on the weight of the individual.  For an average sized adult, cremation can take two to three hours at a normal operating temperature of between 1,000 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What do the cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color.  The remains of an average sized adult usually weigh between 7 and 8 pounds.

Do I need an urn?
An urn is not required by law.  An urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery.  If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container.