A funeral ceremony that truly resembles the person being honoured — that is what more and more families are asking for. And today, it is entirely possible. There is no single model, no mandatory protocol. The ceremony can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose.
Why personalize?
A generic ceremony can feel cold and disconnected. A personalized ceremony, by contrast, helps those present truly remember who this person was — their laughter, their passions, their habits, what made them unique. Many families report that this personal dimension is what made the day bearable, even beautiful despite the grief.
Possible personalization elements
Music: Their favourite songs, whether Brel, Leonard Cohen, AC/DC, or traditional Quebec music. No musical genre is off-limits in a secular ceremony. You can opt for recordings or invite live musicians.
Location: The ceremony can take place anywhere — a forest, a cottage, a museum, a concert hall they frequented, a beach, a vineyard. Funeral homes can often coordinate with external venues.
Personal objects: Photos displayed in an exhibition, meaningful objects (tools, musical instruments, sports equipment, knitting), an exhibition of their work if they were an artist. These objects tell a life story in a way words sometimes cannot.
Décor: Flowers from their garden, colours they loved, flags from their sports team, natural elements if they were a nature lover.
Tributes: Encourage people to speak — not long formal speeches, but short, true anecdotes. A condolence book can also collect written remembrances.
A collective activity: Planting a tree together, releasing biodegradable lanterns, organizing a walk in a place they loved, preparing together a dish they loved to cook.
No legal restrictions on personalization
There is no law in Quebec that mandates a particular format for a funeral ceremony. Religious, secular, intimate, large, understated, or colourful — the law prescribes nothing regarding ceremonial form. The only legal constraints concern the treatment of the body (burial, cremation, aquamation), not the ceremony itself.
How to plan it in a pre-arrangement
If you are planning your own funeral, document your wishes as precisely as possible in your pre-arrangement. Note the songs, readings, people you would like to speak, your ideal location. The more specific your instructions, the more relieved your family will be when the time comes.
Updated: March 2026