Written by AI from public information on 2026-10-26. Fees and rules change and vary by province — confirm with the official body before relying on anything here.
Typical cost
Not published
Time to earn it
about 2 to 3 years
Issued by Provincial funeral regulators (for example the Bereavement Authority of Ontario)
Required to start: Running funerals needs the licence of the province.
About
Funeral directors help families at a very hard time. They plan services, handle paperwork, care for the deceased, and guide families through the choices they face. Because this work involves public trust and health rules, the law requires a licence.
Each province and territory sets its own rules and issues its own licence. In Ontario, for example, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario is the regulator that licenses funeral directors. A licence from one province does not automatically let you work in another.
How to get it
Complete a funeral service education program
Most licensing bodies ask for study at a college or approved school. These programs cover funeral arrangements, ethics, business practice, and the care of the deceased. Programs usually take about a year or two of study.
Complete a supervised apprenticeship
You work in a funeral home under a licensed professional. This is where you learn the daily work in a real setting. The length of the apprenticeship depends on the province.
Pass the required exam
Candidates must show that they know the laws, ethics, and practical skills of the profession. See the exam section below for more detail.
Apply to your provincial regulator
Send in your education records, proof of your apprenticeship, and your exam results. You will also pay an application fee. The regulator reviews your file and issues the licence if you meet all requirements.
Start working under your licence
Once licensed, you can work as a funeral director in that province. If you also want to do embalming, check whether your province needs extra training or a separate licence.
The exam
Most provinces ask candidates to pass a written exam. It tests your knowledge of provincial laws, funeral practice, ethics, and public health rules. Some regulators may also assess practical skills. Your education program or regulator can tell you what to expect.
Licensed by each province
Each province and territory issues this itself, under its own rules. For example — Ontario: Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Rules differ across Canada. Provinces and territories set their own education needs, apprenticeship terms, exams, and fees. Some places license funeral directors and embalmers separately, while others combine the work under one licence. Before you plan your path, check with the regulator in the province where you want to work.
Careers that mention it
No Canadian career on the site names this yet.
Keeping it
Your licence must be renewed on a regular schedule, and you pay a renewal fee each time. Many regulators also expect you to keep learning through continuing education. Always renew on time. Working with an expired licence can lead to penalties.