What cremation represents in Quebec today
More than 70% of deaths in Quebec now result in cremation, according to Quebec market data. This proportion has grown steadily since the 1990s, reflecting a cultural shift, greater acceptance from religious traditions, and recognition of its practical flexibility. Cremation does not mean a reduced ceremony — it can be paired with a funeral service every bit as complete and meaningful as one preceding a burial.
The cremation process: what actually happens
The body is placed in a combustible container — either a simple casket or a container specifically designed for cremation — then introduced into the cremation chamber, called a "retort." Temperatures reach between 870°C and 980°C. The process typically takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the body.
What remains after cremation are bone fragments — the only elements of the human body that do not combust at this temperature. These fragments are then processed mechanically to produce a fine, uniform powder. These remains are commonly called "ashes," though scientifically they are primarily bone calcium phosphate.
You typically receive between 1 and 3 kg of "cremains" (roughly 2 to 7 pounds), placed in a basic container or in the urn of your choice.
Options for the ashes
One reason cremation is widely chosen is the freedom it offers for what comes next. The main options are:
- Keep in an urn at home: legal in Quebec, no restrictions
- Burial in a cemetery: in a dedicated urn plot, or in an existing family plot
- Columbarium: a niche in an architectural structure, often in a cemetery or funeral home
- Scattering: at sea (more than 3 nautical miles from shore, per Transport Canada guidelines), on private land with the owner's consent, or in a memorial forest
- Memorial forest: burial in a biodegradable urn at the base of a tree in a protected forest
- Memorial jewellery: companies transform a portion of ashes into synthetic stones or jewellery
- Sharing among family members: possible with multiple small urns or sharing containers
Cremation costs in Quebec
| Service type | Price range |
|---|---|
| Direct cremation (no visitation or ceremony) | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Cremation with visitation only | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cremation with full funeral service | $5,000–$9,000 |
| Basic urn (often included) | $50–$150 |
| Premium urn (optional) | $150–$2,000+ |
What a typical cremation package includes
- Transportation of the body from the place of death to the funeral home
- Preservation care or refrigeration
- Body preparation for visitation (if desired)
- Use of rooms for the visitation period
- Ceremony coordination
- The cremation itself
- A basic container or urn
- Administrative procedures (death declaration, civil registry coordination)
Can you hold a ceremony after direct cremation?
Absolutely. Direct cremation simply means the body is cremated without a prior visitation or formal ceremony before cremation. Nothing prevents the family from organizing a memorial service — secular, religious, intimate, or public — after receiving the ashes. This approach is increasingly popular because it provides more time to organize and allows ceremonies in meaningful locations.
Cremation and religious traditions
The Catholic Church has permitted cremation since 1963, provided it is not chosen to deny the resurrection of the body. Most Protestant denominations, Buddhist and Hindu traditions also accept it. Some Islamic and Orthodox Jewish traditions prefer burial. If faith plays an important role in your decision, consult your spiritual guide.
Updated: March 2026