Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / McLean's Funeral Services & Crematorium, located at 9-8465 Harvard Place in Chilliwack, has had its funeral services and crematorium license suspended by Consumer Protection BC due to an ongoing investigation into a misappropriation of consumer funds.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack funeral business

B.C. regulator suspends Chilliwack funeral business for misappropriation of customer funds

Jul 25, 2024 | 11:10 AM

CHILLIWACK — A public regulator in British Columbia says a Chilliwack funeral services provider is under investigation for misappropriation of consumer funds, leading to the suspension of its license.

According to a news release, Consumer Protection BC says it is alerting customers of McLean’s Funeral Services & Crematorium about an ongoing investigation into the company, located at 9-8465 Harvard Place in Chilliwack. The non-profit regulator says customers of the business are encouraged to determine how the ongoing investigation will impact their end-of-life plans.

An investigation from the public regulator indicates the business did not properly and adequately fund its trust account for prepaid funeral services. The public regulator also revealed the business will not be able to fulfill its contracts or offer refunds to customers. Consumer Protection BC says it is now focused on reaching out to impacted families to advise them of the situation.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A hearse sits in the parking lot of McLean’s Funeral Services & Crematorium Thursday morning (July 25) in Chilliwack.

Consumer Protection BC offered the following directives for customers:

ROAD CLOSURES

Section of Tyson Road, South Sumas Road to close overnight in Chilliwack

16m ago

PERIOD POVERTY

Demand for period products grows over 7 million in Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland

49m ago

Upcoming concerts in Agassiz, Chilliwack

Cheam Mountain Singers to hold concerts in Agassiz, Chilliwack

1h ago

For impacted customers and their families:

1. If you are actively receiving funeral services from McLean’s Funeral Services, please resume as planned. Consumer Protection BC is working with the business to serve families with services in process and complete any contracted and expected cremations.
2. If you have prepaid for funeral services with McLean’s Funeral Services, you will not receive those future services and the business is most likely unable to refund you. Consumer Protection BC is assessing whether a small group of consumers may receive partial refunds but there is no guarantee. Please fill out this form on Consumer Protection BC’s website so your information can be cross-referenced and used to provide updates as appropriate. You can also give Consumer Protection BC this information by phone at 1.888.564.9963 (and press 5).

Consumer Protection BC says customers of McLean’s Funeral Services that need funeral services in the future will need to pursue alternative arrangements with a different funeral provider. It says consumers can search for a licensed funeral provider on Consumer Protection BC’s website.

As the result of its ongoing investigation, Consumer Protection BC says it has suspended McLean’s funeral and crematorium licenses and issued a freeze order on its remaining assets. However, despite these regulatory efforts, the non-profit regulator states it is unlikely that McLean’s Funeral Services will be made whole again.

Consumer Protection BC describes itself as a not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in the province of British Columbia. Their stated mandate is to license and inspect regulated businesses, respond to consumer inquiries, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws and classify all general release motion pictures.