Cremation in Vancouver & the Lower Mainland: A Complete Guide
The Short Version
- Direct cremation in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland ranges from just under $1,000 to $2,000 at low-cost cremation providers, while full-service funeral homes’ packages can start between $4,000 and $7,000. At KORU, direct cremation starts at $2,700 with our streamlined online arrangement package, or $3,575 with full in-person guidance. Both include the cremation itself and the required eco cremation casket, and the pricing is before taxes, death certificates, and government fees.
- In BC, cremation must be carried out by a licensed funeral provider. It requires a disposition permit and for the death to be registered, and it cannot take place until at least 48 hours after the death.
- If a death has just occurred, you don’t need to figure everything out right now. We’re available 24/7 by phone to support you. Give us a call at 604-324-8285, and we can walk you through what to do next.
If a Death Has Just Occurred
Take a deep breath. Although it may feel like an emergency, there is no rush. You can take time to sit with your feelings, be with your person, and let the new reality sink in. In fact, we very much encourage you to do this.
When you’re ready, here’s what to do:
If the death was expected and happened at home, you don’t need to call 911. Contact the family doctor or nurse practitioner who was familiar with your person in life: a death must be pronounced (by a doctor, registered nurse, or coroner) before anything else can happen. Then call a licensed death care provider, whenever you’re ready.
If the death was unexpected or accidental, call 911. Emergency responders will attend, followed by a coroner.
If the death happened in a hospital, hospice, or care home, the staff will guide the first steps. You don’t need to arrange anything from your side right away.
We’re here whenever you need us. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Vancouver: 604-324-8285 · North Shore: 604-770-1471
How Cremation Works in BC
Cremation in British Columbia follows a clear process, as defined by provincial law. Here’s what happens from the moment you call us, and what we take care of, so you don’t have to.
Bringing your person into our care
Once a death has been pronounced and the executor or legal next of kin has given permission, we can arrange transport from the place of death (a home, hospital, hospice, or care home) to our Vancouver place of practice. We provide this service 24 hours a day, every day of the year, throughout Metro Vancouver. There’s no requirement to move quickly: some families ask us to come within the hour, and others take time to sit with their person first. Both are okay.
Registering the death
Every death in BC must be registered with BC Vital Statistics before cremation can take place. As your death care guides, we handle the registration and all related documentation. You provide personal information about the person who died (their legal name, birthplace, and other details), and we take care of the rest. This is also when death certificates are ordered; you’ll need original copies for settling the estate. We can help you determine how many.
The disposition permit and the 48-hour rule
Under BC law, a cremation cannot take place until at least 48 hours after death. Because cremation can’t be undone, this built-in pause exists to protect families and allow time for any review a coroner might require. During this time, we issue the disposition permit and the authorization paperwork, which is signed by the executor or legal next of kin.
The cremation itself
When you arrange a cremation with KORU, it will take place at West Shore Crematorium, our preferred crematorium, or at Maple Ridge or Vancouver Crematorium if your family chooses to be present for the start of the cremation (referred to as a witness cremation). BC law requires that the body be laid in a rigid container for cremation; we use an eco-pine cremation tray, in keeping with our sustainability practices. If bearing witness feels meaningful to you, we’ll walk you through what to expect.
Receiving the cremated remains
The ashes are usually ready within 7-10 business days. You’re welcome to pick them up from our Vancouver location at no cost, or we can ship them within BC or across Canada. A complimentary urn is included with every cremation. If you’re considering what to do with them next (whether it’s scattering, interring, or having them made into something meaningful), know that there’s no deadline, and we’re happy to talk through the options whenever you’re ready.
Understanding Your Options
There’s no single right way to care for someone who has died, and we’ll never pressure you to choose something that doesn’t feel right for you. These are some common paths that families choose; each can be shaped around your wishes, budget, values, and traditions.
Direct cremation
Cremation takes place shortly after death, without a viewing or ceremony beforehand. It’s the simplest and most affordable option. Choosing it doesn’t mean skipping a goodbye: many families hold a memorial or celebration of life later, on their own timeline, in a place that suits them.
Cremation with family time or witnessing
Some families want time with their person before cremation, or want to be present when it begins. We offer private family time in our Gathering Room, the option to participate in bathing and dressing your person, and witness cremations at Maple Ridge or Vancouver Crematorium. These can be quiet and private, or woven into a larger ceremony.
Cremation with a traditional service
A church funeral or other formal ceremony, with the casket present, followed by cremation. We coordinate with your clergy, venue, and community, and we welcome both faith-based and non-denominational services.
Green and natural burial
Burial is the other legal form of disposition in BC, and green or natural burial is often the most environmentally gentle choice available: no embalming, a biodegradable casket or shroud, and direct earth burial. Several Lower Mainland cemeteries offer green or hybrid green burial sections; if leaving a lighter footprint matters to you, you may want to consider a green or natural burial as an alternative to cremation.
Memorials and celebrations of life
A memorial can happen days, weeks, months, or even years after a death, with or without the ashes present, in any venue that feels right. Our team and the Life Celebrants we work with can help you plan a gathering that reflects the person you’re honouring, whether that’s a traditional service or something entirely your own.
We also support home vigils and family-led care. If you’d like more information on any of these services, feel free to get in touch.
What Cremation Costs in Vancouver
We believe that you should be able to see real prices before you pick up the phone. Here’s what our services cost and what is included in each.
All prices are before taxes and third-party fees, which include a mandatory Consumer Protection BC administrative fee ($48), death certificates ($27 each), and, where applicable, cemetery costs, celebrant honorariums, and similar items. We’ll always itemize these for you before you sign anything.
| Service | Price starts at | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Online Direct Cremation Package | $2,700 | Our most streamlined option, arranged online. Includes transport, essential care, the cremation, an eco-pine cremation casket, a temporary urn, and all documentation. |
| Essential Cremation | $3,575 | Direct cremation with full in-person or phone guidance from a licensed funeral director throughout. Includes a complimentary and comprehensive executor assistance program and a sustainable urn. |
| Private Family Time + Cremation | $4,325 | Includes private time with your person in our Gathering Room before cremation, with the option to participate in their care. |
| Witness Cremation | $4,945 | Your family attends the start of the cremation, with private time beforehand. |
| Traditional Church Service with Cremation | $5,700 | A full traditional ceremony with the casket present, followed by cremation. |
| Green Burial Graveside Service | $4,225 | For comparison purposes, this is a graveside green burial service, including a biodegradable burial shroud. A cemetery plot is purchased separately. |
| Celebration of Life Memorial Service | $2,810 | Planning and hosting a memorial gathering, including venue rental and service attendants. Can stand alone or accompany any of the options above. |
A note on comparing providers: funeral pricing isn’t regulated in BC, so it varies widely. However, every licensed funeral provider is required to keep their full price list available in person or on their website, and any contract you sign must itemize every good and service. If a price seems unusually low, it’s worth asking what it leaves out; transport, the legally required cremation casket, and the cremation fee itself are sometimes charged separately. Our prices above include all three, as well as dedicated support and disposition management from a licensed funeral director, and all administrative work.
The Environmental Reality of Cremation
Flame-based cremation is currently the only form of cremation legal in BC, and unfortunately, it comes with a real environmental cost. On average, a single flame-based cremation uses about 29 kilowatt hours of electricity and 285 kilowatt hours of gas (roughly the energy an average house uses in two weeks), resulting in around 573 lbs of CO2 emissions.
Conventional burial carries its own environmental footprint, from embalming chemicals to concrete grave liners and hardwood caskets. If leaving a lighter footprint is important to you, green or natural burial is the gentlest option available in BC today: no embalming, a biodegradable casket or shroud, and direct earth burial in a cemetery committed to conservation.
The good news is that greener alternatives to flame-based cremation exist. Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) uses water, low heat, and pressure instead of burning fossil fuels, with about 90% energy savings compared to flame-based cremation. Terramation (natural organic reduction) gently transforms a body into soil. However, neither is legal in BC yet. We actively advocate for both. Learn how to take action through the NOR BC website and add your voice by signing the Aquamation BC coalition petition.
We also do what we can to offset the impact of the services we provide today: planting 10 trees every month with Tree Canada, powering our operations with clean energy through Bullfrog Power, choosing not to practice embalming as a default, and sourcing locally and sustainably made caskets, shrouds, and urns. These practices don’t make flame-based cremation eco-friendly, but they reflect our commitment to offsetting its impacts and practicing death care with a responsibility to the environment around us.
Planning Ahead
Reading through this article, you may have noticed just how many decisions are involved when someone dies. For many folks, the thought of making all of those choices during an emotionally difficult time is a big part of what motivates them to plan ahead.
Pre-planning means deciding on your death care wishes in advance: cremation or burial, the kind of ceremony you’d want, and any other details that are important to you. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and can simply begin by reflecting on what matters to you. Pre-planning offers both you and your loved ones peace of mind so that when the time comes, your family can follow wishes you’ve thoughtfully chosen, rather than making difficult decisions while grieving.
You can also choose to prepay for your services. When you prepay with a licensed funeral provider in BC, like KORU, your money is held by an insurance company until it’s needed, and prepaying locks in today’s prices for the services you’ve chosen. If your circumstances change, you have options: plans can be updated, and you have cancellation rights.
It’s common to feel like it’s too early to think about this, or not to know where to start. That’s okay. There’s no pressure and no deadline; whenever you’re ready, we’re happy to meet you there, whether that’s in your home, our gathering room, your favourite cafe, or online.
To learn more, request our complimentary Pre-Planning Guide for End of Life, or book a free consultation with us.
Why Families Choose KORU
KORU Cremation | Burial | Ceremony is a locally owned, women-led, eco-conscious funeral home serving Vancouver, the North Shore, and the Lower Mainland. For over a decade, we’ve provided natural, meaningful care for individuals and families from every corner of our community.
We call ourselves death care guides rather than funeral directors (even though we’re licensed that way) because we’re here to walk alongside you and offer support based on your wishes and values. We never upsell or pressure anyone to do anything they aren’t comfortable with, and we publish our prices so you can see them before you ever pick up the phone.
We believe death care is a community practice. We welcome both non-denominational and faith-based requests, support family-led care and home vigils, and we work with Life Celebrants that can help create a ceremony that’s entirely your own. Our commitment to sustainability runs through everything we do, from the products we source to the energy that powers our spaces.
For immediate needs, we are available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you’re planning ahead, we’ll meet you wherever you’re comfortable. Either way, we’re here to support you.
Vancouver: 604-324-8285 · North Shore: 604-770-1471
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when someone dies in BC?
If the death was expected and happened at home, contact the family doctor or nurse practitioner who knew your person: a death must be pronounced before anything else can happen. If the death was unexpected or accidental, call 911. There’s no rush beyond that first call, and we’re available by phone 24/7 to walk you through what comes next.
How much does cremation cost in BC?
At KORU, direct cremation starts at $2,700 with our online arrangement package, or $3,575 with full guidance from a licensed funeral director, before taxes, death certificates, and government fees. Prices across the Lower Mainland vary widely depending on the provider and what’s included.
How long does cremation take in BC?
By law, cremation cannot take place until at least 48 hours after death. From there, the timing depends on registering the death and completing the authorization paperwork, which we handle for you. At KORU, most families receive the ashes within 7-10 business days of the death.
What’s the difference between direct cremation and cremation with a service?
Direct cremation happens shortly after death, without a viewing or ceremony beforehand, making it the simplest and most affordable option. Cremation with a service adds elements like private family time, witnessing, or a full traditional ceremony. You can also hold a memorial or celebration of life at any point afterward, with or without the ashes present.
Can I scatter ashes in Vancouver?
Generally, yes, though you may need permission. City and municipal bylaws set the rules in local parks, so check with the municipality first. Consumer Protection BC advises that scattering is generally allowed on Crown land, and in provincial parks and protected areas, with consideration for other users, and in lakes and rivers where it causes no adverse impact. For ocean scattering, the federal government is the authority to contact, and private land requires the owner’s permission. If someone recorded their wishes in writing, those wishes are binding under BC law, unless following them would be unreasonable, impracticable, or a hardship. We offer a local water scattering service if you’d like us to handle this for you.
Is aquamation available in BC?
Not yet. Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) is legal in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories, but not in BC. We actively advocate for it, and you can add your voice through the Aquamation BC coalition petition. In the meantime, we offer eco-conscious practices for the options that are available.
Can I pay for my cremation in advance?
Yes. You can pre-plan with or without prepaying, and if you do prepay, your money is held by an insurance company until it’s needed, with today’s prices locked in. Plans can be updated if your wishes change, and there’s no transfer penalty if you move.
We’re Here When You Need Us
Whether a death has just occurred or you’re planning ahead, we’re here to help.
Vancouver: 604-324-8285 · North Shore: 604-770-1471
We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate death care needs.
If you’d like to see what our services cost, you can build your own quote in a few minutes or browse our service bundles. If you’re thinking about the future, book a free consultation: we’ll meet you in your home, our gathering room, your favourite cafe, or online.
You can also visit us at our Vancouver or North Vancouver locations, or explore our cremation, burial, and ceremony services.
Resources
- BC Funeral Association – Loss and Grief Resources
https://www.bcfunerals.com/here-for-you/ - Consumer Protection BC – Funeral, Burial and Cremation Consumer Information
https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumer-help/consumer-information-funeral-rights/ - Consumer Protection BC – Where Can Ashes Be Scattered?
https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/2025/07/20970-where-can-ashes-be-scattered/ - BC Laws – Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act
https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/04035_01 - Province of BC – Death Registration
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/death-registration - Province of BC – Death Certificates
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/death-certificates - Government of Canada – CPP Death Benefit
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-death-benefit.html - Cremation Association of North America – The Legal Status of Alkaline Hydrolysis
https://www.cremationassociation.org/alkalinehydrolysis.html - Memorial Society of BC
https://memorialsocietybc.org/
Ngaio Davis
Founder, Owner and Managing Director
Ngaio founded KORU in 2014 with a particular focus on eco-friendly endings and helping families reclaim deathcare as their own. Raised as a farm girl in rural B.C., she worked as a red seal carpenter before turning to deathcare, and has now spent two decades as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Full bio