Cremation FAQs

Cremation uses high heat to reduce the body to bone fragments, which are then processed into fine bone particles and placed in a container or urn.

People choose cremation for its simplicity, flexibility, environmental benefits and alignment with personal or religious beliefs. It also allows ashes to be shared, kept or memorialized in meaningful ways.

Most do. Hinduism and Buddhism prefer it, while Roman Catholicism now permits it. Some, like Orthodox Judaism, Islam and Greek Orthodox, prohibit it. Always consult your faith leader if unsure.

The body, in a casket or container, is placed in a cremation chamber. High heat reduces it to bone fragments, which are then processed into ashes. Metals from implants are removed and recycled.

Ashes are placed in a sealed bag and then into a temporary cardboard container or urn. If needed, a second container is used for overflow.

Urns come in many styles: wood, bronze, marble, ceramic, glass or biodegradable. Keepsake urns and memorial jewelry are also popular for sharing ashes.

Yes but check with our staff to ensure it fits all ashes and any niche or burial space.

Ashes can be buried, placed in a niche, scattered (with permission) or turned into keepsakes like diamonds or glass art. You can also keep them at home until you're ready.

A niche is a small compartment for urns, often in a columbarium. Options include single, double or family niches, with stone or glass fronts for personalization.

Yes. Cremated remains can be buried in the same grave as a casketed loved one.

Memorials can include plaques, upright monuments or flat with ground markers, benches or celebrations of life. These tributes help preserve a loved one’s memory for future generations.

Yes, with the landowner’s permission. Scattering on Crown land is allowed if unoccupied. Check local rules for municipal land. Keep in mind, scattering outside a cemetery may not offer a permanent memorial.

Cemeteries in Ontario keep permanent record of the interment, cremation or scattering and are maintained permanently, offering a lasting place for remembrance. Whether buried, placed in a niche or scattered, a cemetery provides a meaningful, permanent resting place for future generations.

We require:

• MPG Cremation Application & Contract
• Coroner’s Cremation Certificate
• Burial Permit from the Registrar General

Our team handles all paperwork for you.

Legal authority follows this order:

1. Executor or court-appointed administrator
2. Spouse
3. Adult children
4. Parents

All immediate next of kin must be informed. If there are objections, cremation is paused until resolved.

Cremation can occur after 48 hours from the time of death, once all legal documents and coroner approval are in place. Families can opt to waive the 48-hour waiting period for a more immediate cremation. 

Yes. Cremation doesn’t limit your options. You can have a traditional service, visitation, memorial or graveside ceremony before or after cremation.

Pacemakers, defibrillators and radioactive implants must be removed before cremation. Items like jewellery should also be removed, as they are destroyed during the process.

Note: We cannot cremate individuals treated with radioactive Brachytherapy (e.g., Thera-Seed) within the last two years unless it is deemed safe to do so. 

Yes. Each cremation is done one at a time, ensuring dignity and proper identification.

Yes. After the casket is consumed, the body is exposed to direct heat and flame inside the cremation chamber.

No. Embalming is optional and depends on factors like viewing, transport or timing of services.

Yes. Ontario law requires a closed, combustible container. You can choose or provide a simple container or a traditional casket based on your preferences.

Yes. Rental caskets offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly option for services. The inner liner is cremated with the body.

Yes. Caskets must be free of metal, glass or hazardous materials. Options range from basic containers to handcrafted wood caskets.

Yes. The entire casket or container is cremated with the body. Metal handles are removed and recycled beforehand.

Yes, if they are safe for cremation. Items placed inside are not recoverable. Keepsakes can also be added to the urn afterward. Please note that the casket or container cannot be constructed of, or contain, non-flammable or hazardous materials such as white metal, mattresses, metal box springs, glass objects, chlorinated plastic or fibre-reinforced plastic.

Jewellery is destroyed during cremation. Please ask the funeral staff to remove any items you wish to keep before the process begins. Metals are removed magnetically following cremation and recycled. 

Yes. Our cremation centres offer comfortable witnessing rooms. You may even initiate the cremation if desired, but please note that this must be scheduled in advance. 

We use a unique metal ID tag that stays with the remains throughout the process and is included in the final urn or container.

Ashes are gray and resemble coarse sand. An adult’s remains typically weigh 2–4 kg.

Ashes are usually available within 48 hours after the cremation. Expedited options may be available. Ask our staff.

We can hold ashes for up to one year. After that, unclaimed remains may be respectfully buried in a common grave, which may not be retrievable later.

Yes, cremation is generally less expensive than burial, but total costs vary based on services, urns, memorials and other choices.

No. Cremation destroys all DNA. If needed, a DNA sample must be collected before cremation.

No. We only cremate human remains. Ask your vet or local humane society for pet cremation services.

Yes. We have two cemeteries that offer Family and Cremated Pet interment right options. 

Yes. Ashes can be mailed or carried. Use a Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-approved urn for air travel and carry death and cremation certificates. Check airline and Canada Post rules for details.

Yes but also inform your executor and family in advance. Only your legal representative can authorize cremation, not you personally.