HERITAGE FUNERAL CENTRE
COVID-19 UPDATES
February 17th, 2022
INDOOR VISITATION & FUNERAL SERVICES:
• The visitation & funeral service capacity limits for indoor gatherings & funeral services at HFC are determined based on the number of people who can maintain two metre physical distance. Capacity limits can be increased if a Proof of Vaccination policy is in effect. The recommended capacities will allow for a safe distance to be maintained for all in attendance. There are no capacity limitations for outdoor gatherings in a cemetery setting. Your funeral director will discuss capacities and options in greater detail during the funeral arrangement conference.
• All visitations/funeral service attendance must be by registration only prior to the start date/time.
• All persons must maintain at least a 2metre distance apart from one another unless you are members of the same household.
• Thorough cleaning & disinfection of the facility is mandatory between visitations.
• The wearing of a mask or face covering is required all times.
• No food or drinks are permitted at this time.
OUTDOOR CEMETERY GATHERINGS:
• Outdoor funeral services & graveside services are exempt from capacity limitations. It is recommended to continue to maintain a two-metre physical distance from one another.
• The wearing of a mask or face covering is required all times.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT CONFERENCE:
• THREE PEOPLE MAXIMUM plus funeral home staff may attend in person arrangement conferences. Others are welcome to attend virtually.
All persons conducting a funeral must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of Toronto Public Health Officials & the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
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As of September 14, 2021
Proof of Vaccination requirements DO NOT apply to:
- Funeral Services including rites, ceremonies, visitations, receptions, or social gatherings held in places of worship.
- Funeral services including rites, ceremonies, visitations, receptions, or social gatherings held in funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoriums, and similar establishments that provide bereavement services and are licensed to operate under the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Act, 2002.
- Funeral Services conducted in any indoor setting, limited to the actual funeral rites or ceremonies, but not an associated social gathering or reception. These settings can include any meeting or event space, conference centre, or convention centre.
Proof of Vaccination requirements APPLY to:
- Social Gatherings or Receptions associated with a funeral service, rite, or ceremony in a meeting or event space, conference centre, or convention centre.
All persons conducting a funeral must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of Ontario and Toronto Public Health Officials.
July 16, 2021
Visitation, Funeral Service & Cemetery
Gathering Limits
Effective Friday, July 16, 2021 the Province of Ontario will enter into the “Step Three” of the re-opening process for 21 days. The following attendance limits are permitted for visitations, funeral services and cemetery gatherings as per the directives from our regulator the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
- All Indoor Visitations & Funeral Services are no longer limited by capacity, except for the physical distancing requirements of two-metres and for members of the same household. All attendees must pre-register online and complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire through our website. heritagefuneralcentre.ca
- Wearing a mask or face covering is mandatory for all persons indoors including inside Heritage Funeral Centre, at your church and at the cemetery according to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), City of Toronto By-Law 541-2020 and the Government of Ontario regulations.
- There will be no capacity limits at outside gatherings at a cemetery except for a two-metre physical distancing unless members of the same household are gathering.
- This province-wide Registrar’s Directive applies to all funeral services, regardless of the venue.
June 30, 2021
Visitation, Funeral Service & Cemetery
Gathering Limits
Effective Wednesday, June 30, 2021 the Province of Ontario will enter into the “Step Two” of the re-opening process for 21 days. The following attendance limits are permitted for visitations, funeral services and cemetery gatherings as per the directives from our regulator the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
- All Indoor Visitations & Funeral Services are limited to a maximum of 25% per cent capacity or a maximum of (75) people in the visitation suite or our chapel, while maintaining a two-metre physical distance between attendees except for members of the same household. All visitations must be scheduled. A minimum of 15 minutes between scheduled indoor visitations for cleaning is required. All attendees must pre-register online and complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire through our website. heritagefuneralcentre.ca
- Wearing a mask or face covering is mandatory for all persons inside Heritage Funeral Centre, at your church and at the cemetery according to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), City of Toronto By-Law 541-2020 and the Government of Ontario regulations.
- A maximum of 75 people will be permitted at outside gatherings at a cemetery while maintaining a two-metre physical distance except for members of the same household. One staff member for every 15 attendees is required as per our directive set out by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) to a maximum of 4 staff for 75.
- This province-wide Registrar’s Directive applies to all funeral services, regardless of the venue.
June 11, 2021
Gathering Limits
Effective Friday, June 11, 2021 the Province of Ontario will enter into the “Step One” of the re-opening process for 21 days. The following attendance limits are permitted for visitations, funeral services and cemetery gatherings as per the directives from our regulator the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
- All Indoor Visitations & Funeral Services are limited to a maximum of 15% capacity or (25) people in the visitation suite or our chapel, while maintaining a two-metre physical distance between attendees except for members of the same household. All visitations must be scheduled. A minimum of 15 minutes between scheduled indoor visitations for cleaning is required. All attendees must pre-register online and complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire through our website. heritagefuneralcentre.ca
- Wearing a mask or face covering is mandatory for all persons inside Heritage Funeral Centre, at your church and at the cemetery according to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), City of Toronto By-Law 541-2020 and the Government of Ontario regulations.
- A maximum of 50 people will be permitted at outside gatherings at a cemetery while maintaining a two-metre physical distance except for members of the same household. One staff member for every 10 attendees is required as per our directive set out by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO).
- This province-wide Registrar’s Directive applies to all funeral services, regardless of the venue.
Breakdown of Room Capacities
Visitation Services
Overlea Suite: Maximum 25
O’Connor Chapel: Maximum 25
Ralph Day Chapel: Maximum 25
Chapel Funeral Services
Overlea Chapel: Maximum 25 up to 40
O’Connor Chapel: Maximum 25 up to 45
Ralph Day Chapel: Maximum 25 up to 45
In order to be able to accommodate two families simultaneously, visitation rooms will be limited to 25 family and guests. In extenuating circumstances however, and at the discretion of Heritage Funeral Centre, we may elect to service one single family at any given time up to a maximum of 50 attendees including clergy.
April 19, 2021 - Update
Effective Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes. There is no change to the gathering limits as described in the following March 16, 2021 update.
Attendance at all funeral services will be restricted to a maximum of 10 attendees in total, indoors or outdoors, starting Monday.
The indoor and outdoor limits cannot be combined to allow more than 10.
The measures of physical distancing of two metres between people, wearing of masks indoors and outdoors, and cleaning and disinfecting of facilities between services remain in place. Serving food is prohibited at all funerals and visitations.
This Registrar’s Directive applies to funerals and visitations regardless of the venue.
BAO inspectors will be monitoring funeral establishments and cemeteries to ensure compliance, with swift measures invoked for non-compliance.
The directive is in alignment with the Province of Ontario’s new restrictions announced Friday afternoon.
INDOOR FUNERALS & VISITATIONS
- Heritage Funeral Centre visitation gatherings and funeral services cannot exceed 10 people capacity for the entire facility with physical distancing.
- All persons attending the gathering must remain at least two meters apart from each other and from persons conducting the funeral, unless they are members of the same household.
- The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that is is conducted in compliance with the advice recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleanig or disinfecting.
OUTDOOR FUNERALS & VISITATIONS
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The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that no more than 10 people are in attendance.
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All persons attending the gathering must remain at least two meters apart from each other and from persons conducting the funeral, unless they are members of the same household.
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The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.
- A Class 1 licensed funeral director is required to be present at the burial, with 1 funeral staff per 10 guests attending the burial.
All of our previous guidelines and measures are still in place, and can be read below:
- Ensuring the health & safety of our client families, visiting guests, and our employees is of utmost importance.
- Upon entry to the funeral home all visitors will be verbally screened for any COVID-19 related symptoms or possible exposure. All visitors will then be required to sign in at the main entrance & are encouraged to use the hand sanitization station. Disposable latex gloves are available.
- All client families contacting the funeral home regarding a death will be verbally screened for any COVID-19 related circumstances. If any member of the family are experiencing any flu like symptoms, you will be advised to contact Telehealth Ontario and report your symptoms. Please DO NOT plan to come to the funeral home.
- Where possible, we are encouraging all of our client families to coordinate funeral arrangements remotely from their home with one of our licensed funeral directors. Heritage is equipped with a secure software that is user friendly and is compatible with any PC, MAC, Smartphone, and tablet. No scanners required. If you elect to come to the funeral home in person, an appointment is required with a maximum of 2-3 members of the family.
- We have temporarily discontinued the use of family limousines in order to adhere to the practice of self-distancing.
- Reception gatherings have been temporarily suspended in order to reflect & meet safe practices mandated by the Province of Ontario & on the advice of the local health authorities.
- We have increased the disinfection protocols within the funeral home to once every hour. This includes all common areas of the funeral home. All employees are mandated to practice social distancing at all times both at work and personal time.