Disposing of Human Ashes in Quebec: Regulations and Creative Ideas

After a cremation, what should you do with your loved one’s ashes? From more traditional options to commemorative gestures that are also creative and symbolic, the Crématel team in Saint-Jérôme gives you a few ideas, and tells you more about the regulations surrounding funeral urns and the dispersing of the ashes.

The Different Funeral Urns

Standard Urns

The traditional vase shaped urn is part of the traditional and timeless options to dispose of ashes after a cremation. Standard urns also include wood urns or small funeral urns and keepsakes, which will allow you to gift a few of your family members with their loved one’s ashes.

Modern Urns

Made from wood of different qualities, marble or bamboo, there are several materials offered among our funeral urns. Square shaped or rectangular urns are a modern and elegant choice. 

There are also several colors available according to your preferences, or those of your deceased loved one. You can also opt for a truly symbolic urn, like the Aria Tree of Life or the Silver Tear.

Biodegradable Urns

Cremation has become increasingly popular given its more eco-friendly aspect; biodegradable urns also cater to this growing concern. On top of a stunning design, biodegradable urns can be buried in a way that is also respectful of the environment. They will also allow you to plant a tree with the urn should you wish to do so.

Jewelry urns (pendants, bracelets…)

Jewelry is a very special way to commemorate a loved one and to keep them close to you at all times. Funeral urns in the shape of a pendant are very symbolic: your loved one remains close to your heart. It is also possible to opt for a bracelet, ring, etc.

At Crématel, you can choose the pendant that represents your loved one best, among a wide selection of jewelry and funeral urns in Quebec. Take a look at our cremation packages.

Formalities and Legal Regulations

The Funeral Operations Act (A-5.02) includes, among other things, how human ashes are to be disposed of. They must be handed over to only one person, and all of the ashes must be placed in one or several containers. Find out more about cremation in Quebec.

Moreover, section number 71 further specifies: “No one may scatter human ashes in a place where they may constitute a nuisance or in a manner that fails to respect the dignity of the deceased person.” Section 72 states that the location where the ashes are to be dispersed or buried must be communicated to the funeral service business.

Burying Ashes After Cremation

The same way you would do with a casket, it is possible to bury an urn. A cemetery remains the ideal place to bury a deceased loved one.

Would you like to bury your loved one on private grounds or in your garden? Regulations on funeral urns do allow for this, although you should take into account that you might one day have to move. This means that you will either have to exhume the urn or declare its presence on the property, at the risk of being sued for a latent defect.

If you do not want to bury the urn, you can also choose to keep it at home or have it exposed in a columbarium for an undetermined period of time. This can also become a place where family and friends can gather around the deceased.

Other Creative Ideas

Are you looking for what you can do with your loved one’s ashes? Here are a few original and symbolic ideas you might like.

Planting a Tree

What if death could spark new life? Instead of a tombstone, human ashes can become a tree and you can watch it grow throughout the seasons. In order to do this, all you have to do is to place the ashes with the seed of a tree in a biodegradable urn and plant it where you are authorized to do so. This natural tombstone will became a place you will love to visit.

You can also place the ashes and the tree seed in an incubator so that you can keep the tree at home.

A Tattoo Mixed with Ashes

Commemorative tattoos are very popular; but did you know that you can keep your loved one close, permanently, by getting a tattoo done from their ashes? In fact, tattoo artists can mix a small quantity of the ashes into the tattoo ink safely.

Fireworks made from your Loved One’s Ashes

To celebrate the deceased’s life and literally see them reach the sky, you can have the ashes used to make fireworks, which is a creative idea for a memorable commemoration.

Have a Sculpture or Piece of Jewelry made

If you are looking for an even more customized way of keeping your loved one close, you can choose to have a sculpture or a piece of jewelry made that can remind you of who they were. You can then have the ashes integrated into these unique keepsakes.

An Hourglass

What better symbol of time going by than an hourglass? You can dispose of your loved one’s ashes in an hourglass, reminding you just how precious time is and how impermanent our time is here, on earth. A beautiful hourglass can also be used as a decorative object.