Service Nova Scotia is making Nova Scotians aware of unlicensed activity at a Bedford funeral home.
Trevor Tracey, the owner of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, pled guilty to a charge under the Cemetery and Funeral Services Act on Thursday, Aug. 3, and must pay a fine of $1,500.
Mr. Tracey was charged with accepting money in advance for pre-arranged funerals without holding a licence to sell them.
Service Nova Scotia staff assisted Halifax Regional Police in successfully laying the charge.
In addition to a funeral home licence, funeral homes must hold a separate licence to sell pre-arranged funeral plans if they want to do either of the following:
— accept money in advance for pre-arranged funerals
— sell or offer to sell insurance-funded pre-arranged funerals.
If the funeral home does not hold the proper licence, this could mean that when a purchaser passes away, there could be no money set aside to cover the cost of their funeral.
Service Nova Scotia urges Nova Scotians looking to pre-arrange a funeral to only work with licensed sellers and to always check the licensing status before paying any money or entering into a contract.
If Nova Scotians are concerned about unlicensed activity, they are encouraged to contact the department at 1-800-670-4357, or visit https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/know-your-rights.asp .
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Source: Media Release
