How does pre-planning a cremation work in BC?

Pre-arranging versus pre-paying, how BC law protects pre-need contracts, and what to tell your family.

Updated September 29, 2026

Pre-planning means making decisions about your own cremation ahead of time: what you want, who will look after it, and, if you choose, how it will be paid for. Many people do it so their family knows what they wanted and has fewer decisions to make.

Pre-arranging and pre-paying are different

Pre-arranging means recording your wishes with a funeral provider without paying in advance. Consumer Protection BC, which licenses funeral providers, notes that you can leave prearrangement information with a funeral home without prepaying for the services.

Pre-paying usually means signing a pre-need contract. In BC law, a "preneed cemetery or funeral services contract" is a contract for cemetery or funeral services for someone who is alive when it is signed. Consumer Protection BC says these contracts secure most costs at the current rate, but not all costs are guaranteed to stay the same. Taxes, the cost of a death certificate or a cremation may change.

Some pre-paid plans are funded through insurance rather than a trust account. If a plan requires you to buy insurance and assign it to the provider, different refund rules apply. The provider must tell you in writing, before you sign, how much of the premiums would be refunded if the insurance is cancelled.

You can also set money aside yourself, or simply write down your wishes. The choice is yours.

How BC protects the money in a pre-need contract

These protections are in the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (Part 4, Division 3), which Consumer Protection BC enforces.

The money is held in trust. Within 5 days of receiving your money, the provider must deposit it, less any selling expenses, into an interim account or a pre-need trust account with a savings institution in BC. Money in an interim account must be moved into the trust account within 21 days.
Selling expenses are capped. The provider can't deduct more than 20% of the money received for selling expenses.
You're told when it's deposited. The provider must notify you within 15 days of the first deposit into the trust account, and give you an annual report on the account if you ask.
It's protected from creditors. Money paid under a pre-need contract can't be garnished or seized under legal action against you or against the provider.
You're told the terms before you sign. The provider must tell you in writing how much will be refunded if you cancel. The contract must also name the savings institution that holds the trust and explain how the trust is managed.
You get a copy within 15 days of signing.
No cold calls or uninvited visits. Providers can't try to sell to you by phoning your home, coming to your door, or by mail, email or fax addressed to you. A home visit is allowed only if you, or a relative or friend, asked for it at least 24 hours ahead.

Cancelling and refunds

You can cancel a pre-need contract at any time by giving notice to the provider.
Within 15 days, the provider must refund the amount that was required to go into trust, with interest at a rate set by regulation. Because up to 20% can be kept for selling expenses, Consumer Protection BC says you "may only be refunded 80% of what was paid, plus interest."
The provider can deduct the cost of goods that were specially ordered or personalized and can't be used in the ordinary course of business.
If you didn't get a copy of the contract within 15 days, you can cancel within 30 days of receiving it and get back all the money you paid.
If the provider fails to provide the services when they're needed, the provider must refund all the money received, with interest, within 15 days of being notified.
A cremation plot or niche (a right of interment) has its own refund rules, which the contract must state.

Before you sign, ask what would be refunded if you cancel, and whether any items can't be refunded.

Your written wishes carry weight

Under section 6 of the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, a written preference about what happens to your remains, stated in a will or a pre-need contract, is binding on the person who has the right to make the decision. The exceptions are if following it would conflict with the Human Tissue Gift Act, or would be unreasonable, impracticable or cause hardship.

What to tell your family

That you've made a plan, and where the paperwork is. Consumer Protection BC suggests telling your loved ones what plans you've made and where the documents are kept.
Who will make the decisions. Under BC law, the executor named in your will has the first right to decide, followed by your spouse, then adult children, and so on. Make sure that person knows your wishes.
Where your will is. A lawyer or notary public can help you make a will. You can also register a wills notice with BC Vital Statistics for $17 (as of September 2026), so your executor can find it.
What isn't covered. If some costs may change, or some choices are still open, say so.

Whoever you plan with, check that they are licensed with Consumer Protection BC, using its licence search. Its funeral rights page explains more.

When you're ready, you can start a pre-arrangement with us online. If you'd like to talk it over first, contact us.