Funeral providers in Campbell River.

In BC, funeral directors and funeral service providers are licensed by Consumer Protection BC. The provincial Act describes a funeral director’s work as any of: negotiating or entering into funeral contracts; arranging, conducting or directing rites and ceremonies; arranging the interment or cremation of remains; transferring remains or supervising their transfer; and caring for or preparing remains before disposition (other than disinfecting, preserving or restoring them).

For a green burial specifically, a provider might: care for and cool the body without embalming; source or supply a biodegradable casket or shroud and get it approved by the City; handle the BC Burial Permit and the City’s interment authorization; arrange transport to Elk Falls; and support a family who wants to lead parts of the burial themselves. The City can also enter an agency agreement with a provider to handle the paperwork and payment on the family’s behalf.

No. BC law does not require a family to hire a funeral home to arrange a burial. Consumer Protection BC confirms that a family member with the right to control disposition can do it themselves — register the death, obtain the Disposition Permit, apply for a private transfer permit and move the body, supply a compliant casket or shroud, and arrange the burial with the cemetery. A “funeral provider” in BC law is a business that provides funeral services; a family arranging one burial, unpaid, is not carrying on that business.

A licensed party is still involved in a few places:

• Cremation must be done at a licensed crematorium.
• The interment is carried out by the licensed cemetery operator — at Elk Falls, the City of Campbell River.
• Embalming, if chosen, must be done by a licensed embalmer (and it is not required, and not permitted in the green burial area).
• The private transfer permit is approved by Consumer Protection BC, and the receiving cemetery must agree to accept a private transfer.

Most families still choose a funeral provider for the practical help: cool storage of the body, transport, sourcing a biodegradable casket or shroud and getting it approved by the City, and the paperwork. That is a service, not a legal requirement.