What are funeral pre-arrangements?

Funeral pre-arrangements allow you to plan and, if you choose, prepay your funeral in advance. This protects your family from having to make difficult decisions during a time of grief.

Is it legally binding?

In Quebec, funeral pre-arrangement contracts are governed by the Act respecting prearranged funeral services and sepultures. A signed contract with a partner funeral home is legally binding and regulated by the province.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary based on your choices (cremation, burial, ceremony). Our free guide includes a detailed price grid. See our pricing page for current ranges in Quebec.

Is my money protected?

Yes. In Quebec, funds paid under a pre-arrangement contract must be placed in a trust fund or annuity. Your money is protected by law even if the funeral home closes.

Can I change my mind later?

Yes. You can modify your arrangements or cancel your contract. Refund terms are governed by Quebec law. Our advisors can guide you through the process at no cost.

Is it available everywhere in Quebec?

Our partner network covers all of Quebec including Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke and remote regions. Start online and a local advisor will follow up with you.

How long does it take?

Completing your online questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. You receive a personalized plan within 48 hours. Signing your contract with our funeral partner typically takes a one-hour meeting.

Is human composting legal in Quebec?

No. Human composting (terramation, natural organic reduction) is not legal in Quebec or any Canadian province to date. Discussions are underway but no legislation is expected in the near term.

When might human composting be legalized in Canada?

There is no official timeline. Quebec's legalization of aquamation in 2015 shows the province is open to alternative methods. Legislative discussions are probable in the coming years.

What do you do with the soil produced by human composting?

In US states where it is legal, families receive a portion of the soil to place in a garden, at the base of a tree, or in a natural space. Some may be returned to partner forests.

Is human composting compatible with religious traditions?

This depends on the tradition. Religions that accept cremation generally also accept the principle of returning to the earth. Consult your spiritual guide for an answer tailored to your tradition.

Who offers human composting in North America?

Recompose (Seattle, WA), Return Home (Auburn, WA), and several other companies operate in US states where it is legal. No Canadian provider is currently authorized to offer this service.

Human Composting (Terramation) in Quebec: Not Yet Legal

What is human composting?

Terramation — the official term used by industry companies — is a process in which the body is placed in a specialized vessel with organic materials: wood chips, alfalfa, straw, herbs. Natural micro-organisms decompose the body in approximately 30 to 45 days, producing nutrient-rich soil. This soil can be used to nourish trees, gardens, or returned to a forest.

Unlike cremation or aquamation, human composting generates no non-organic residue. The body returns entirely to the earth.

Legal status: not yet in Quebec or Canada

To date, human composting is not legal in any Canadian province or territory. Federal and provincial authorities, including Quebec's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), are monitoring developments in other jurisdictions, but no legislation is in effect.

Where human composting is legal

Washington (2019): first state to legalize
Colorado (2021)
Oregon (2021)
Vermont (2022)
California (2022)
New York (2022)
Nevada (2023)

Companies like Recompose (Seattle) and Return Home (Auburn, WA) offer the service to residents of these states. Canadian citizens can theoretically access these services — but this involves transporting the body to the United States, which is logistically and financially complex.

When might Quebec legalize human composting?

There is no official timeline. Quebec's legalization of aquamation in 2015 demonstrates the province is open to alternative disposition methods. Legislative discussions are probable in the coming years, as data on environmental impact and sanitary safety consolidate.

What to do now if this interests you

If returning to the earth is an important value for you, here are the alternatives currently available in Quebec:

Aquamation (hydrofaction): legal since 2015, produces 90% less carbon than cremation. Only provider: Forêt de la Seconde Vie.
Green burial: burial without embalming in a biodegradable casket or container, in a cemetery or natural section.
Memorial forest: burial of a biodegradable urn at the base of a tree in a protected forest (Forêt de la Seconde Vie).

Updated: March 2026

Human composting (terramation) in Quebec: the current situation