For more than 110 years, the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP) has provided leadership to Ontario’s bereavement sector organizations.

Reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of the profession, OACFP evolved from its cemeterian roots become today’s inclusive association for all organizations in the sector.

Formerly known as the Ontario Association of Cemeteries, the association was initially created as a service for Ontario’s cemeterians to exchange ideas and information to support high ethical practices within the sector.

In 2003, the Ontario Government responded to changing consumer demand and took steps to replace The Cemeteries Act and The Funeral Director Establishments Act. In its place, they introduced the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act 2002. This was designed to introduce new levels of consumer choice, combined with strengthened consumer protection.

As an Association, we recognized that a unified industry would support a client-focused sector and improve communications amongst industry professionals. In response, we evolved by changing our by-laws to include professional cemeterians, cremationists, funeral directors, funeral transfer services, monument and casket retailers, industry suppliers, industry consultants and affiliated death care industry associations. It is from this broadened membership base that the OACFP was formed.

“Pride in his profession and aim for improvement will cause every Superintendent and Cemetery Official to reach out for knowledge and we trust this Association will be the school to furnish such to them.”

These were words spoken by W.H. Foord, the first President of the Association of the Cemetery Officials of Canada, in his inaugural address, in August 1913. For over a century, the objectives of the Association have not wavered from Mr. Foord’s inaugural speech.

The OACFP is proud to be a leading provincial death-care association dedicated to improving communication and educational opportunities to support effective, resilient member companies and their employees.