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LAWS & LOGISTICS

Considering that green burial is a continuum with no law defining exactly what it is, there are no laws in Canada nor Québec that prevent 'green' burial.
However, provincial laws vary and cemeteries are able to set their own by-laws that need to be adhered to when purchasing interment rights.
Cemeteries can require vaults or grave liners, disallow direct earth burial in a shroud, require embalming
on remains that have been stored over winter, stipulate the use of a casket or even specify a type of casket.
Some cemeteries have an application process or only accept those who are parishoners of their church, have been baptized or practice a certain religion.

As of August 2018, in Québec the Provincial Regulation respecting the application of the Funeral Operations Act states that
“For every interment, the body must be placed in a casket to prevent discharges and allow safe handling of the body.”
Québec is the only province in Canada with a law that prohibits shroud-only burial.
How this law will be enforced is still unclear.

Current laws in Québec restricting DIY/green deathcare:
--Obtaining a declaration of death form and submiting to the Directeur d'état civil only happens with a funeral director (in practice only, not stated in law)
--Only a funeral services business is permitted to transport the deceased
--For a visitation the body must be embalmed
--Interments must take place in a cemetery (no home burials permitted)
--Interments must take place in a casket with the body in a plastic body bag (no shroud-only burials, no casket-only burials)


GREEN DEATHCARE MOVEMENT

EARTH FRIENDLY BURIALS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALIST

WHAT IS GREEN OR NATURAL BURIAL?

GREEN BURIAL IS A CONTINUUM

EMBALMING
History of Embalming
Myths about Embalming
Truths about Embalming
Source Material/Resources

ISN'T CREMATION GREEN?

AQUAMATION -- A GREENER ALTERNATIVE TO CREMATION?

EDUCATE YOURSELF, MAKE A PLAN