Social Services

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Social Services and Funeral Assistance

Basic Funerals believes that everyone has the right to a dignified funeral. Municipalities across Ontario offer coverage for funeral services on behalf of residents whose estates cannot otherwise cover the cost. Contact us today for more information or to begin the application process.

The Canadian Pension Plan

What It Is

The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) provides survivors with 2 types of support. The first is a one-time payment to the estate on behalf of the deceased. The second is a monthly pension.

What It Covers

  • A one-time payment of up to $2,500 is paid to the estate
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  • A monthly pension (up to $451) may be paid to survivors if the deceased contributed to CPP for at least 3 years.

    • What You Need To Know

  • Failure to apply for CPP benefits within a year of the death will result in forfeiture of benefits
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  • Additional funds (up to $177.33) may be available to dependents with children 18 years of age or younger who are enrolled in a full-time academic programme

    • How To Apply

  • Complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit (provided by Basic Funerals)
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  • Include certified true copies of the required documentation
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  • Mail to the address provided on the form

    • Ontario Works

    What It Is

    Ontario Works is a service provided to help offset basic funeral expenses for those who cannot afford it. Provided on behalf of the deceased, Ontario Works may cover the cost of funeral services including transfer of the deceased from the place of death, cremation, burial plot, urn, or casket.

    What It Covers

  • Transfer of body from place of death to funeral home
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  • Purchase of burial plot. If the deceased owns a plot, Ontario Works will assist with the fees associated with opening and closing.
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  • Cremation including scattering or burial of cremated remains

    • What You Need To Know

  • Ontario Works must approve services prior to signing a contract with funeral home, crematorium, or cemetery
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  • Ontario Works entitled to any funeral funds available in the estate
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  • The deceased does not have to have been a recipient of Ontario Works during life to benefit from the services after the death has occurred

    • How To Apply

  • For individuals who were recipients of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP), Basic Funerals can complete the application on their behalf
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  • For individuals who were not recipients of Ontario Works or ODSP, our team of funeral professionals will assist you with the application process
    • I can’t say enough good things about Basic. They actually know what customer service actual is. Very knowledgeable staff, great rates and well organized. There really is a plan for every type of funeral you could possibly be interested in. Robyn is an delight to work with.read more
    Mary Gorman
    19:01 19 Sep 19
    Kaetlyn B was superb at handling Mom's affairs and handling me! Although our mother's death was expected, it was still quite overwhelming. I had never been responsible for this type of arrangement, and am very grateful for Kaetlyn's professional, yet personal manner. Every phone call was answered promptly, and my issues were addressed immediately. Kaetlyn made sure I had everything I needed to start the process, and has provided me with lots of information and direction for the days and weeks ahead. I couldn't be more pleased. I have already spread the word about Basic Funerals, and Kaetlyn. God Bless You All!read more
    Karen Drake
    19:11 06 Sep 19
    Jessica, thank you very much for all your advice and patience and, most of all, for guiding us through this difficult time. All Cremation arrangements at Riverside Chapel were well planned . You are very kind and thank you very much. Also, thank you to everyone else at Basic Funerals and Riverside Cremation for your help.read more
    sandy SAGAR
    03:59 21 Aug 19
    The meeting was very informative and casual. All our questions were answered in a professional manner. We did not feel pressured in any way. We are very happy with the arrangements.read more
    Lina Elliot
    22:51 15 Aug 19
    Helpful, didn't try to push any thing on us.Very affordable.
    marg lahey
    02:18 08 Aug 19
    My experience with Basic Funerals was excellent. My first contact was with Robin. She was easy to talk with and was very quick at returning emails, and phone calls. The pre planning process went smoothly as did the final arrangements. We went with the Basic package, cremation no service. Mailings arrived quickly. The information provided before and after was valuable and the cost of the package was considerably less than arrangements through other funeral homes. I feel comfortable in recommending this company to others in need of this service.read more
    Ken Fryer
    12:11 07 Aug 19
    Allarrangements were handled professionalism and kindness. Jessica was lovely to deal with. The process was very efficient and the cost was reasonable, no or sure was at any time put on you to spend more than your decided you wanted which is not the case in most situations with funeral homes. I will pre arrange for myself and my husband's in the very near future.read more
    Debbie Mastin
    00:31 07 Aug 19
    Robin was very helpful and patient with me on things I didn't understand. I appreciate that very much. Thank you, I have recommended Basic Funerals.
    Verda Matthew
    17:49 18 Jul 19
    Very understanding and absolutely no attempt to sell us anything than we asked for. Professional and very kind.
    Viv
    10:42 16 Jul 19
    Jessica B was very friendly and helpful
    Aaron Hachie
    17:22 03 Jul 19
    Everyone was so helpful in dealing with my brother John's funeral.
    Judy Costantini
    22:57 13 May 19
    During a difficult and emotional time the services we received were exactly what we wanted. There was no attempt at "up-selling" nor was there any sense that we were being guilted into making unaffordable or complex choices. Rather, we received careful attention and very professional responsiveness to our needs. I would absolutely recommend this service for anyone struggling with all of the many other details and emotional distress that follow the passing of a loved one.read more
    Debra Macphail
    17:18 06 Mar 19
    Karoline was the front-line Funeral Director who looked after my wife's final needs. Although I was, at first skeptical, Karoline soon put my mind at ease and she created the type of service that Shelley desired and in a special location that I requested.Throughout the entire process, Karoline offered support and in the event we needed clarification, Karoline did not hesitate. She proved herself to be a valuable asset. to Classic Funerals but also to the family they served.read more
    D.C. Mahoney
    08:46 31 Jan 19
    Robin was awesome to deal with and answered all of my questions. I only wished I know of basic funerals when I was pre arranging my mother's. I was told all sorts of lies by a funeral home.read more
    joann guenette
    20:04 06 Sep 18
    Robin was very professional, knowledgeable, organized and helpful. Great customer service! Thank you.
    Louise Viersen
    20:40 20 Aug 18
    We decided that we wanted to make our pre-planned funeral arrangements and had the pleasure of speaking to Robin. She sat down with us, and clearly outlined all of our options. She reviewed earlier cemetery arrangements with regard to our family plot and what we still required. We are both pleased and relieved that everything is in order and that the Executor of our estate will only have to call one number..read more
    Soosy Q
    19:29 24 Jul 18
    Excellent customer service! Excellent prices! Convenient payment plans. Could not ask for more!
    Jaden Winfree
    20:08 21 Jun 18
    I prearranged my own funeral all on line including payment etc..no muss no fuss....a great experience
    John O'Hearn
    19:38 24 Apr 18
    Robin was very helpful!!! I feel very happy knowing my arrangements are done as per my wishes. This will be so helpful to my family when my time comes to depart this earth!read more
    Sandra Stubbs
    12:49 09 Apr 18
    I contacted Basic Funerals & Cremation to pre-arrange services for my mother. I initially reached out for an appointment by email and received a very prompt reply. I set up the appointment via an email exchange and met with Robin at Basic F&C the following week. It was a very straightforward process and Robin went to great lengths to to explain and simplify the various options. I highly recommend Basic F&C for the ease of contact, arrangement and follow-up.read more
    Rick Pringle
    17:09 28 Mar 18
    Very happy with their professional service. Quick to respond with any questions or concerns. Would highly recommend this company to anyone needing their service .read more
    Gail Adamson
    20:34 07 Feb 18
    Convenient and respectful. This is the second time my family has used Basic Funerals and Cremations Choices. The first was 5 years ago when my father passed away and this time was for my brother. I didn't deal with Basic with my father's arrangements but my step-mother did and recommended them and honestly, I don't think I'd use anyone else moving forward. When we had word on my brother's terminal illness, I called 3 places to get quotes on the cremation he wanted. Let me preface this by saying that my brother said a Celebration of Life was acceptable but he didn't want a viewing or funeral so a cremation is what I was researching.Since this was my first time arranging such services, I had no idea what to expect. The first place (a local funeral home) quoted me $4000, so now I had a starting point. The second place (a local cremation facility) quoted me $1000 (wth? talk about a price difference!) but then stated I had to involve a separate "funeral home of my choice" for transfer services (huh?) and lastly I called Basic.Unlike the other two places I had called, Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices took the time to explain everything to me and offered to email me a quotation that contained all of the details. They offered me various packages to choose from depending on my needs and told me there was no pressure to decide now-I could decide when the time came. The three packages were Budget, Basic and Priority (I chose Priority and would recommend it for the slight price difference). They also confirmed that there would be no additional charges beyond what I was quoted (and there wasn't!).Unfortunately, it was a very short time after this call when their service was needed. I made the call to Basic and they took care of everything. They were incredibly professional the whole way through. From the initial phone call, to the follow-up call when my brother passed, to the young gentleman that came to deliver my brother's ashes and even follow-up calls, these people are top-notch.Basic Funerals and Cremations Choices took the worry out of making the arrangements. I have started recommending their service to friends and family and told my husband this is what I him to do want when my time comes.I'd like to end my review with a sincere thank you to Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices.read more
    Connie P.
    14:15 05 Feb 18
    I was in need of immediate service and Basic Funerals were very helpful and right there tending to my request. The staff were very helpful and attentive to our needs. I would definitely recommend this service for anyone, thank you.read more
    Don Mascarin
    01:51 12 Jan 18
    Our family lost a member who lived in Ontario while most of us are in Newfoundland. This could have caused a lot of confusion and extra expense that we did not need at this difficult time. Basic Funerals was amazing to deal with. Fast, clear, informative, inexpensive, and respectful of our wishes. We got the cremains in plenty of time for the funeral, as well as everything else we expected. I HIGHLY recommend Basic Funerals for anyone during this difficult time.read more
    Cheerfully Twisted Entertainment
    22:16 12 Nov 17
    Communication was exemplary...clear, quick response times, helpful. I also appreciated the professional yet senstitive approach each person I spoke with had during our difficult time. One thing I very much appreciated was NO attempt to upsell whatsoever. Any tiny suggestion to get more money I would have not used their services and they never once did...very impressed by that.I was helped by David, Natasha and Kamilah and I was very happy with their customer service...I would highly recommend Basic Funerals.read more
    Evangelina Coleman
    19:47 12 Nov 17
    My Mom had a prearranged plan with Basic Funerals at my recommendation. I found them on the internet and my Mom prearranged everything back in 2011. When my Mom passed we contacted Robin who was her Prearrangement Specialist and was extremely helpful from start to finish. I highly recommend Basic Funerals. Thank you so much Robin and staff for all your help at this difficult time!!!read more
    Sandy J-Lee
    18:13 12 Nov 17
    Very helpful. Compassionate.
    Nadine Kyle
    13:59 12 Oct 17
    Representatives on the phone and in person were so courteous, efficient and straight forward. It was a very difficult time for my elderly parents, and they made it so much easier and in ways enjoyable. Thank you Robin ans Stephanie for such professionalism ! The price is very affordable, no frills and up-selling. Highly recommended.read more
    Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic
    02:02 11 Oct 17
    Prompt response. They understand and listened to your needs. Robin was extremely professionnal, caring and understood what I wanted in regards of my dad's pre-arrangements. It feels good to be understood. Robin was great and went above and beyond to provide me with a great service and no surprise in regards of the pricing.GREAT PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE.I would recommend highly BASIC FUNERALS.read more
    Johanne Coshall
    15:20 09 Oct 17
    Basic Funeral and Cremation Choices was the right choice for my mother's cremation. I contacted Jessica a few days before the time and she provided a quotation after a few minutes on the phone. The quotation was exactly what we were looking for. The price was reasonable. Jessica was on site for the cremation and everything went as planned. I would highly recommend Jessica and her firm.read more
    Ravi Aggarwal
    16:13 05 Oct 17
    Jessica, was wonderful She took her time walking my family through our options. The detailed information she provided was priceless. Guiding us through a very difficult time. This was the second time using her services. I'd definitely use Basic Funerals and Cremations again. Also considering prearrangement of my own aftercare services. Offering my family peace of mind that my wishes were already thought out and paid for!Louise Kruegerread more
    Louise Munro
    02:36 05 Oct 17
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