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At a glance
- · Eco-friendly funerals help reduce your carbon footprint while honouring loved ones with respect and dignity.
- · Several green options are available in Quebec, such as natural burial, aquamation, and human composting.
- · Biodegradable materials and local suppliers play a key role in making the process sustainable.
- · It’s possible to plan an eco-conscious ceremony that aligns with Quebec laws and your budget.
What Is an Eco-Friendly Funeral?
Also called green or sustainable funerals, eco-friendly funerals aim to reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional funeral practices. This means rethinking every step, from the choice of casket to the ceremony itself, to minimize environmental impact.
These practices encourage simplicity, proximity, and respect for natural resources. A sustainable funeral ceremony focuses on biodegradable materials, local venues, and responsible management of waste and transportation.
Principles and Environmental Benefits
Planning an eco-friendly funeral is a meaningful way to align your values with your final farewell. By choosing natural materials, reducing transportation, or opting for solutions such as aquamation, families can significantly lower the carbon footprint of a ceremony.
It’s also an opportunity to bring loved ones together in a setting that feels authentic and connected to nature.
Green Funeral Options in Quebec
Natural Burial (Green Cemetery)
A natural burial involves placing the body in a wooded area or natural meadow without embalming or concrete vaults. In Quebec, certain memorial forests allow families to pay tribute to loved ones in a peaceful, living environment.
The resting place becomes a space for biodiversity rather than a purely mineral one, allowing grief to unfold at nature’s rhythm.
Eco-Friendly Cremation and Aquamation
Aquamation, also known as water cremation, is a gentler and more sustainable process than traditional gas cremation. It uses an alkaline water solution at low temperature, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
More and more funeral homes in Quebec now offer this option as a respectful choice for both the family and the planet.
Natural Organic Reduction (Human Composting)
Inspired by practices already legalized in parts of the United States, natural organic reduction transforms the body into fertile soil through a controlled composting process. While not yet authorized everywhere in Quebec, it’s generating growing interest among eco-spiritual and municipal communities.
This approach sees death as a way to give back to the earth, closing the natural cycle of life.
Choosing a Biodegradable Casket or Urn
Selecting an eco-friendly casket or biodegradable urn is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to minimize environmental impact. Popular options in Quebec include unfinished wood, recycled cardboard, bamboo, and natural fibres.
Materials Permitted by Quebec Law
Quebec’s funeral regulations specify which materials can be used to ensure safety and hygiene. Locally sourced wood, untreated fabrics, and certain compostable urns are permitted, provided they meet biodegradability standards.
Before making a decision, it’s best to discuss your options with a funeral advisor to ensure your choice complies with provincial regulations.
Steps to Organize an Eco-Friendly Ceremony
Legal Documents and Local Suppliers
Before planning begins, make sure all legal documents are up to date (such as your will or funeral wishes), as explained in our article on death without a will in Quebec. This helps loved ones avoid administrative complications later on.
Next, choosing local suppliers (florists, caterers, and artisans) helps reduce transportation needs while supporting regional businesses. Many funeral complexes, including Yves Légaré, already work with Quebec-based partners who specialize in sustainable products and personalized ceremonies.
Average Budget and Financial Assistance
Contrary to popular belief, eco-friendly funerals aren’t necessarily more expensive. By selecting simple products and local services, families can often reduce overall costs.
For example, renting a reception hall nearby can limit travel while offering a warm and welcoming space for gathering.
Some municipalities also offer financial programs to plant memorial trees or maintain green burial spaces.
FAQ – Common Questions About Green Funerals
Are eco-friendly funerals legal in Quebec?
Yes. Most green funeral practices are recognized, though some, like human composting, are still under regulatory review.
How much does an eco-friendly funeral cost?
On average, between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the services chosen (burial, aquamation, or reception).
Can you combine tradition and sustainability?
Absolutely. Families can include religious or symbolic elements while adopting green gestures such as a natural casket or group transportation for guests.
Conclusion
Planning an eco-friendly funeral is a gesture of love for both the planet and those we leave behind. Quebec offers a growing number of accessible and regulated green options for families who value sustainability and meaning.
Yves Légaré proudly supports families through this thoughtful process, offering empathetic guidance and sustainable, locally sourced solutions.
