Since ancient times, coffins and cremation have gone hand in hand in the funeral rites of mankind. In fact, even today, for many people, the choice of coffin is an important part of funeral prearrangement planning.

But what is the role of the casket when cremation is chosen over burial? What are the laws and options regarding the use of caskets for cremation in Quebec?

Find out more by reading this article…

 

Casket and cremation: what does the law say?

Quebec laws include a number of guidelines for the disposal of bodies on its territory, to ensure that everyone who dies is treated with dignity until their final resting place.

In the case of flame cremation, the Quebec government’s Regulation respecting the application of the Funeral Operations Act stipulates that “the body must be placed in a cremation container made of the appropriate combustible materials designed to support the weight of the body”.

So even if there is no viewing of the deceased, the body must still be placed in a rigid cardboard or wooden coffin until cremation. Of course, these coffins are often more modest in appearance than those used to display the deceased at a viewing.

 

Cremation: with or without a viewing?

When the time comes to decide whether or not to display the body, the choice rests with the deceased’s family (or with the deceased himself, if he has made his last wishes known).

Cremation without a viewing is called “simple cremation”. In this case, the body is transported to the cremation site in a thin cardboard or wooden container.

If viewing is part of the funeral rites surrounding the person’s death, then the body will be displayed in a casket. This can be made of plywood or natural wood, such as oak, mahogany or pine. A viewing casket can also be made of copper, bronze or steel.

 

Buy or rent the viewing casket?

Since the purchase of a casket often represents close to half of the total cost of funeral arrangements, many people opt for rental instead.

In fact, it’s possible to rent a casket shell to display the body of the deceased during the funeral rites, and then use a more sober (and less expensive) container for cremation or burial.

There’s no right or wrong answer to the question of whether to buy or rent a casket. The decision is yours!

 

Crématorium Montréal’s services

At Crématorium Montréal, our goal is to offer affordable funeral services so that everyone can rest in dignity.

Among other things, we offer a low-cost, contactless cremation package. This online service is designed to make the cremation process as simple as possible for those who have just lost a loved one.

You can also plan your funeral prearrangements online to ensure a respectful and professional cremation service when the time comes.

Whatever your funeral service needs, our team is here to help and guide you.

 

 

Source:

https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cr/A-5.02,%20r.%201