What legislation in force protects me?

An Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures came into force in 1988 and is overseen by the Office de la protection du consommateur.

Consumer Protection Act and the Regulation respecting the application of the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures.

WARNING:

In June 2009, without consultation, the Government of Québec made changes to the Civil Code, which enabled the return of death, or funeral expense insurance, which had been prohibited in Québec since 1974, because of abuse.

Given the concerns of those involved in the funeral sector and consumer defence groups, the coming into force of these articles has been postponed, until the repercussions of these legislative changes can be studied.

According to the changes currently proposed, funeral insurance products will not be subject to the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures.

More like a monthly instalment plan, death, or funeral expense insurance does not have the advantages of a prearrangement: there is no freeze in price, there is no coverage if the death occurs within 24 months following the signing of the contract, and there are penalties if the contract is cancelled after more than 30 days following signature.

Although at first sight the monthly premiums may seem advantageous, an actuarial study has shown that funeral expense insurance turns out to be much more expensive than a prearrangement. To learn more, go to www.loio8.org (mainly in French).