Did you know there’s a section in BC’s funeral services law that speaks to your rights and responsibilities when it comes to cremation? There are also requirements in place when it comes to containers if you or someone else is taking personal responsibility for transferring the remains of a loved one. We’re going to go over what information you should know about containers if you or a loved one has decided to be cremated and you choose to do a private transfer.
What is a private transfer and why does it matter?
Typically when we make funeral arrangements, we rely on a licensed funeral home to perform the services and the transportation of a departed loved one. However, sometimes we get requests from individuals who wish to take personal responsibility for the transfer of remains of a loved one to a funeral home, crematorium or cemetery.
If you are considering the option of a private transfer, there are requirements in place to ensure the handling of the remains are done in a safe, dignified and respectful manner. For more information on this, take a look at our blog post on private transfers. Let’s explore how these requirements apply when it comes to containers for cremation:
You do NOT need to worry about specifications for containers if a funeral provider is handling the transfer of remains
Funeral providers are licensed professionals and they are obligated by law to follow certain regulations to ensure the proper transfer of remains.
You DO need to ensure you follow the requirements for a container for cremation if you are doing a private transfer
If you or a loved one has chosen to be cremated and you’re doing a private transfer, it is important to remember that the law in BC requires that remains are enclosed in a container. The law also has specific requirements for the containers that hold remains. Funeral homes will often have these containers available for purchase, should you choose to do a private transfer. Funeral providers are licensed professionals and they will ensure that the container you purchase meets all the regulatory requirements.
You can provide your own container
According to the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, you are allowed to provide your own container. Funeral providers must not refuse to accept or handle a container that you supply to them (as long as it meets the requirements).
What are the requirements for containers?
These are the requirements for containers according to the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act and the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Regulation:
- Must be strong enough to contain and move the remains
- Must prevent the remains from posing a health hazard
- Must be capable of being closed so the public cannot see the remains
- Must be constructed so that it does not leak
- Must be combustible and rigid
Containers used during cremations must also not contain: plastic, fiberglass, foam/styrofoam, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or zinc.
Consumer Protection BC licenses and regulates funeral providers in BC, if you have any questions about any of the information we’ve provided above, please do not hesitate to contact us.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
ADDITIONAL READING:
How to privately transfer your loved one following a death
Why it matters: knowing your options when picking out a casket or container
Have you had “the talk”? Steps to take & 5 tips about funeral services
Cemetery and funeral services: do you know your rights?
Steps to take following a death
Never could understand peoples thinking on this, how do you ever know whos remains you receive in the container! Do you think the machine is cleaned out clean after each cremation, especially in a large town or city there could be way more than one cremation per day
Hi Poochie, thank you for your question. I’m not totally sure if the laws that we are responsible for capture that aspect, but let me look into that for you!
Hi again, Poochie. I looked into this topic for you and it looks like this area is outside of our authority. That being said, all policies pertaining to cleaning would be set by the bylaws of the operator of the crematorium. If you did have concerns about it, I would suggest talking to the business directly to confirm what their policies are about cleaning. I hope this information is helpful to you!
Are there any specific regulations regarding containers for storage of the ashes after cremation?
Hi Terry, thank you for your question. It is my understanding that there are no laws that speak to what the ashes can be put in after cremation. It is totally up to you to choose! That being said, if you are putting the ashes in a cemetery there may be rules or bylaws about what type of container can be used there. Those specifications are outside of our authority and would have to be confirmed with the cemetery directly. I hope this answers your question.
@Poochie
In the past there have been concerns about this very issue, in fact that is often one of the big motivators for a witness cremation as it gives the family an opportunity to inspect the cremation machine before their loved one is placed into the machine. That being said no crematory or funeral home wants the risk of mixing (commingling) cremated remains, so great care is taken to clean the machine between uses.
These questions are in relation to the Okanogan city of Kelowna b.c…..Can i inspect the cremation rooms..and machine before i make my choice on where i want my remains taken…also do the cremations take place at the funeral home or a séparate building?
Hi Gail, thank you for reaching out to Consumer Protection BC. The funeral and cremation laws in BC do not specifically mention if consumers are allowed to inspect inside of a crematorium. Having said that, Consumer Protection BC inspectors do go into crematoria across BC and inspect their facilities. If you are curious about our inspection guide (it is geared towards our licencees), you can read that on our website here.
If you would like to know more about a specific facility or how it’s operated, you may want to talk to the businesses directly. Some businesses may be more open to giving you the information you are looking for. If you would like to make sure that the business is licensed with us, you can look up on our website here.