Olivia TaylorLosing a loved one is genuinely something I would not wish upon anyone—it’s one of the toughest things we ever face.
When it was my turn to plan a funeral, I felt totally lost, like I was carrying a mountain on my shoulders. There was just so much to figure out and not a lot of headspace to do it, you know?
But that’s when I realized how much a caring, professional funeral service can really make a difference. They helped me with everything, from handling all the little logistics to just being a listening ear when I needed it.
If you or your family ever find yourself in this situation, we hope these Ottawa funeral services our team reviewed will make the process easier for you.
How much does a funeral cost in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, a traditional funeral with burial typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the services and extras you choose. Direct cremation is generally more affordable, starting around $1,995.
1. Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery
Address: 3700 Prince of Wales Dr.
Phone: +1 613 692 3588
Business Hours: Open 24 hours
Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery can make things way less stressful for families, thanks to their funeral home being right on the cemetery grounds, so there’s no need for extra travel between locations.
Here, they offer flexibility with traditional funerals, memorials after cremation, themed celebrations for life, and even same-day services when needed. Their chapel comfortably seats up to 225, while the reception hall seats 300.
We also appreciate the sheer variety of additional touches—think catering, flowers, video livestreaming, keepsakes, plus personalized stationery and cards. Year-round visitation is a breeze, too, thanks to indoor mausoleums and glass-front niche options.
Furthermore, we heard good things about their staff for being kind, helpful, and very responsive, whether you need urgent assistance or just general guidance about pre-planning.
However, we’ve heard that their video livestreaming isn’t as reliable as it should be; clients mentioned blurry video and patchy sound. But for just about every other detail, Capital Funeral Home is a reliable option.
Genuine compassion and attentive support
“A heartfelt thank you to staffs in Capital Funeral Home for their compassionate and professional service during my father’s burial ceremony. Special thanks to Rexan for going above and beyond with kindness and care — your support made my father’s burial ceremony truly meaningful and peaceful and brought our family immense comfort as well. deeply grateful.”
– Cathy Gu, Google Review
Above-and-beyond guidance during a difficult time
“My friend passed away in an accident, and I couldn’t imagine how difficult the funeral process would have been without Rexan’s help. She is knowledgeable, professional, and easy-going, providing compassionate support every step of the way. Rexan went above and beyond to help the fiend’s family through such a painful time, and I’m deeply grateful. I highly recommend her services to anyone in need.”
– Jen Zhang, Google Review
2. First Memorial Funeral Services
Address: 1411 Hunt Club Rd.
Phone: +1 613 801 7423
Business Hours: Open 24 hours
First Memorial Funeral Services should be your choice, especially if convenience and budget-friendliness are your priorities. You’ll love how streamlined their online arrangement process is—you can handle everything from your phone or computer!
Several people we’ve spoken with said this feature takes away the stress of running back and forth, especially when emotions are high.
We also noticed they’re very upfront about their service packages and costs, which eliminates a lot of the second-guessing.
Options range from basic cremations and memorials all the way to celebration of life services, plus they’ll set up a reception wherever you want—including their own space.
Furthermore, they offer a wide selection of urns, including some really nice eco-friendly designs and customizable keepsake jewellery. On top of that, you’ll receive 13 months of free, confidential access to the Compassion Helpline® for grief support.
If we had to nitpick, a few families have told us some staff members are coming off as a bit dismissive during busy periods.
Compassionate support on a tight budget
“It was my first time dealing with the funerals of a family member, and Chelan was absolutely wonderful. She made the whole process go smooth and stress-free. I was on a very low budget, and I was treated with the most respect and dignity. I recommend.”
– Anne-Marie Meloche, Google Review
Exceptional guidance and care throughout the process
“I cannot express my gratitude enough to First Memorial Funeral Services. They handled everything for us with professionalism and compassion. Our Family Service Advisor, Melissa, went above and beyond for us, ensuring that our father’s obituary was perfect and did not appear on any unsolicited sites. She also took care of all paperwork and gave us excellent advice on next steps. We would have been lost without her. A giant THANK YOU to Melissa and the entire First Memorial Funeral Services team.”
– Andrea T., Google Review
3. McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home & Chapel
Address: 1411 Hunt Club Rd.
Phone: +1 613 737 7900
Business Hours: Open 24 hours
McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home & Chapel’s space is genuinely set up for families who want something more personal—the big chapel easily accommodates large groups. The fact that they have both a piano and an organ on-site means music is encouraged.
The coffee lounge is a thoughtful touch, too, giving folks a little space to breathe. It’s also pretty convenient that you don’t actually have to go there in person to set everything up; coordination via phone or email is totally doable.
Their cremation options are flexible, too (ashes delivered, scattering, whatever suits your family), and we noticed an impressive range of keepsakes and mementos.
What’s really modern is their tribute video productions and solid AV equipment, so a celebration of life can be unique—live music and catering included!
Honestly, the facility is welcoming and feels more like a community hub, but it’s worth noting that some staff members lack empathy. A few families reported insensitivity and disruptive loudness during funeral services.
Personalized service and unwavering support
“Sam Seguin was compassionate, professional and she empowered us to create a personalized service that beautifully honored our mother, grandmother and loved one’s life. The staff at McEvoy-Shields was exceptionally kind, empathetic and professional throughout the entire process. They seamlessly accommodated our specific requests and crafted a service that genuinely reflected her life, personality and legacy. Sam inspired us with confidence, comfort and unwavering support in her meticulous handling of all arrangements from the beginning, transporting her from her residence to the last moments at the cemetery. We are very grateful for the compassion that was extended every step throughout the entire process.”
– Breha Ameerally, Google Review
Exceptional care during a difficult time
“Barry McNulty and the team at McEvoy-Shields were incredibly kind and accommodating. They made a very difficult time much easier for our family, and we are so grateful for their care and professionalism.”
– Ken Jamal, Google Review
4. Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices
Address: 1934 St Joseph Blvd.
Phone: +1 613 667 2421
Business Hours: Open 24 hours
Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices is all about making things straightforward. With them, you can organize everything online, over the phone, or in person—so it’s super flexible if you’re not up for a big office visit.
What really sets them apart is their transport game. They handle moving your loved one from wherever they were—hospital, care home, private residences—to the funeral home.
And if you need any kind of shipping (across town or international), that’s all in their wheelhouse. Plus, you don’t get stuck sorting out paperwork; they cover all the legal stuff and documentation, which clients highlighted.
One thing to know is that they don’t actually own a chapel or host visitation—so if you had your heart set on an in-house space, that might be a drawback. The good thing, though, is that they’ll help you find a good one, and will be the one to process rents and everything!
Families we spoke with were happy with this and enjoyed the extra freedom and savings that came with it.
Exceptional support and heartfelt guidance
“I cannot begin to say enough to match my gratitude and undying appreciation for the assistance and guidance of the members at basic funerals and cremation choices in Orleans. Jay and Natasha were absolutely phenomenal, without their support and efficiency I likely would not have managed one of the most devastating losses of my life, MY MUMMY!”
– Natalie Smith, Google Review
Compassionate service and responsive communication
“Highly compassionate professionals who made sure all our questions were answered during our most vulnerable time. Communication was always prompt. Services were affordable and flexible. A special mention to Natasha who is an incredible human being who made the whole grieving process easier on us, stress-free, adaptable and open.”
– Kimberly B, Google Review
5. Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services
Address: 280 Beechwood Ave., Vanier
Phone: +1 866 990 9530
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Beechwood really lives up to its reputation as Ottawa’s go-to spot for pretty much anything related to funerals, cremation, and memorialization.
They have every option you can think of—whether you’re after a formal funeral, something more laid back like a life celebration, or just a simple visitation or catered reception.
We noticed how flexible they are in adapting ceremonies for different cultures and traditions, even helping you personalize everything from music to custom keepsakes to full-on memorial video tributes.
One thing clients rave about (and we appreciate as well) is how easy it is to transfer any prearranged plans you might have elsewhere, with no extra fees or headache—Beechwood will sort out all those details for you.
The support from their funeral directors is consistently solid and compassionate, and their 24/7 helpline means you’re not left hanging.
If there’s a downside, it’s probably that the campus is massive, so prepare for a bit of walking. We were also a bit iffy with their occasional upselling on services.
Immaculate grounds and peaceful atmosphere
“Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services in Ottawa is truly a place of beauty and tranquility. The landscape design is stunning, with exceptional care given to the plants, flowers, and graves. Every detail is thoughtfully maintained, creating a serene environment that invites peaceful reflection. The gardens are lush, and the pathways are lined with well-tended flowers, adding to the sense of calm and reverence. It’s a place where the natural beauty of the surroundings enhances the dignity and respect of the cemetery.”
– Valeriia O, Google Review
Dignified setting with attentive, professional staff
“A beautifully kept last resting place of loved ones. A military cemetery. Professional staff to assist you in this time of need.”
– Rick Westall, Google Review
