History
History of FSAC
The collective voice of funeral professionals has
a long and proud tradition in Canada.
a long and proud tradition in Canada.
The roots of the national association in Canada go back to 1921, when the Canadian National Funeral Directors Association was founded. National representation of funeral professionals was further strengthened in 1954, with the establishment of the "Funeral Directors Association of Canada".
Early objectives of the association were to promote the common interests of its members and to foster among them high professional ideals of public service; enlighten public opinion in relation to funeral service and to the need for enacting and enforcing proper, just and uniform laws pertaining to funeral directing and embalming in Canada. The association, whose national board was comprised of representatives from provincial funeral associations, helped establish a foundation for a strong national voice for funeral professionals across Canada. In 1978, the national association was renamed the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC).
Efforts of the national association included government consultations with the federal government departments such as Veterans Affairs, National Defense, Indian Affairs, Consular Services, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These consultations addressed a number of issues affecting the funeral profession and the Canadian public.
FSAC waged a decade-long effort to raise the amount paid for funerals of indigent veterans. The end result was a 100 percent victory as then Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a doubling of the federal funding and an additional $65 million investment.
In 2013, FSAC was awarded the Canadian Society of Association Executives “Make a Better Canada” award.
One of the most important aspects of the funeral service profession is caring for the deceased in a dignified manner and guiding the bereaved through the many decisions that must be made when a death occurs. For over several decades, FSAC has been providing advocacy, leadership and education to funeral service professionals
Today, FSAC is the leading national funeral services association that represents funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoriums and funeral service professionals. In 2021, FSAC will celebrate our 100th anniversary as the nation-wide leader and champion for the funeral services profession.
