Funeral Homes

Funeral Homes

Death Rooms For Rent? I Bill Vassilopoulos

As Canada awaits the ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Dying with Dignity Canada’s challenge to require hospice and palliative care centres to permit medical assistance in dying (MAiD) within their government-funded facilities, many people are watching closely and with concern.

It may surprise some to learn that certain funeral homes are now offering rooms on their premises where MAiD can take place, and that they may charge fees for the use of these rooms, as some are reportedly doing in Ontario and BC, Canada. While funeral homes are not permitted to conduct eligibility assessments or administer MAiD—either orally or by injection—they can charge for related services, such as staff attendance, room use, and transportation, especially if the individual or family does not use the funeral home’s services afterward.

This development raises difficult emotional, ethical, and societal questions. Some worry this could create a “one-stop” experience, where death and funeral arrangements occur in the same place. It leads people to ask where the boundaries should be, and whether additional charges could extend to room settings, music, or other environmental elements. Others question whether these costs might ultimately be borne by taxpayers rather than by patients directly.

For many, this moment feels deeply unsettling. It challenges long-held expectations about the role of funeral homes and how society approaches death and dying. Many funeral directors have historically seen their role as one of compassion—caring for the deceased with dignity and supporting grieving families with professionalism, respect, and sensitivity.

Traditionally, funeral homes provide compassionate care for the deceased, prepare the body for burial or cremation, arrange funeral or memorial services, coordinate transportation, complete legal paperwork such as death certificates, provide products like caskets and urns, and support families with planning, guidance, and grief resources during one of life’s most painful transitions.

For those who hold deep spiritual or moral convictions, these changes can feel like part of a broader cultural shift—one that raises questions about how society values life, suffering, dignity, and care for the vulnerable. Some fear that Canada may be moving toward policies similar to those debated in countries such as France, where discussions around assisted dying and legal accountability continue to evolve.

In times of uncertainty, many people turn to faith, community, and open dialogue, hoping that compassion, wisdom, and respect for human dignity will remain at the center of these difficult decisions.

Canada is at a breaking point regarding its increasingly broad eligibility criteria for MAiD and the expanding number of places where these deaths may be permitted. Soon, doctors and nurse practitioners may be making house calls to provide MAiD. It may seem unbelievable to some, but not to me. We need to pray for our country, just as Isaiah did when he said, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

Friends, please continue to pray. We are not alone, and we are not a burden. Keep looking up for strength to face each day.

Let us reflect on Psalm 121:1–3: “I lift my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.”

Warmly, Your friend,

Bill Vassilopoulos