Cremation
At Azur Funeral Services, our mandate focuses on simple cremation and ash delivery, with compassionate, clear, and accessible support throughout Quebec. We handle everything related to cremation, from the first call until the urn is delivered, to help you navigate this step with as little stress as possible.
How Does a Cremation Proceed in Quebec?
In Quebec, cremation is governed by strict laws and standards. No cremation can be performed without proof of death, and minimum waiting periods must be observed before incineration. The funeral services company must also adhere to very precise rules for the identification, transport, and handling of the body.
In summary, a cremation generally includes:
- the deceased’s care by the funeral home;
- transport to the crematorium;
- the preparation and incineration of the body, according to current standards;
- the processing and placement of ashes in an urn;
- the delivery of the urn to the family or designated representative.
The Government of Quebec also reminds that the funeral home can only release the ashes to a single designated person, and that the disposition of ashes must adhere to certain principles (authorized location, respect for dignity, etc.).
To better understand the steps to take after a death (declaration, documents, potential benefits), you can also consult our page Steps to Take After a Death, which explains the main administrative and legal steps.
What Happens to the Urn and What Can be Done with the Ashes?
After cremation, the urn can be:
- kept at home by a designated person;
- placed in a columbarium (a space dedicated to urns);
- interred in a plot at the cemetery (in a burial ground);
- or, in some cases, the ashes can be scattered in a meaningful place, in compliance with local regulations.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services and other authorities remind that the disposition of ashes must be carried out in compliance with laws and regulations, and that loved ones should ideally take the time to reflect together on what holds the most meaning.
In our approach at Azur Funeral Services, we deliver ashes to your home, when applicable, and we take the time to explain the various options to families. You can also find additional information on cremation services on our page Cremation Services in Quebec.
Cremation and Funeral Arrangements
Cremation can be planned in advance, through a contract for funeral arrangements or pre-arranged funeral services. This type of contract allows you to define in advance:
- the choice of cremation rather than burial;
- the desired type of tribute (simple, intimate, more traditional, etc.);
- the method of ash disposition;
- certain specific elements: urn, music, texts, etc.
You can learn more in our article Funeral Pre-arrangements in Quebec, where we explain how to plan a simple cremation without initial payment, payable only at the time of death. Regarding the legal framework for contracts, the Office de la protection du consommateur also provides useful information on the funeral services and burial.
What is simple cremation?
We are hearing more and more about simple cremation in Quebec. Specifically, it is a service focused on the essentials: cremation, the necessary legal procedures, and the delivery of ashes to the family, without all the elements surrounding traditional funerals (viewing room, extended visitation, large procession, etc.).
At Azur Funeral Services, simple cremation means:
- prompt and respectful care of the deceased;
- transport to the crematorium;
- cremation according to current standards in Quebec;
- the preparation and delivery of ashes in an urn;
- assistance with administrative procedures (declaration of death, documents, receipts for financial aid, etc.).
Everything is designed to be simple, clear, and economical, without sacrificing the dignity or respect of the deceased. The family can then organize, in their own way, a moment of remembrance, a celebration of life, or a more intimate gathering, at home or in another meaningful location.
Simple Cremation: for whom and why?
Simple cremation is particularly appreciated by:
- families who wish to avoid large traditional ceremonies and prefer something more understated and intimate;
- individuals who desire a more affordable service, without sales pressure or superfluous products;
- those who value flexibility: the option to organize a tribute later, with family and friends, at their own pace;
- geographically dispersed families, for whom a simpler ceremony facilitates logistics.
Choosing simple cremation is not “doing less” for the deceased. It is often choosing to dedicate one’s resources—financial and emotional—to what truly matters to the family, rather than to decorative elements or a staging that does not align with their values.
Simple Cremation and Budget: an Often more Accessible Option
In Quebec, the costs of a complete cremation service are generally lower than those of a traditional funeral service with a casket, extended viewing, and burial. Some sources indicate that the cost of cremation (with basic services) can be around a few thousand dollars, compared to traditional funerals which can easily reach or exceed $7,000 to $10,000 depending on the chosen options.
With our model focused on simple cremation, we concentrate on essential services, which helps reduce costs without compromising the quality of support. And for some families, it is also possible to benefit from government financial aid, for example:
- the death benefit from Retraite Québec (up to $2,500, depending on the situation);
- certain special benefits for funeral expenses offered to low-income individuals.
We have a complete article on this topic: Financial Aid: $2,500 Available Upon a Death in Quebec, which explains in more detail how these aids work and how we can help you apply for them.
Planning a Simple Cremation in Advance
You can also decide in advance that you wish for a simple cremation, through pre-arranged funeral services. This allows you to:
- clarify your wishes (cremation, type of tribute, disposition of ashes);
- prevent your loved ones from having to make these decisions under pressure;
- benefit from a price guarantee for a determined period;
- not advance money today, in the case of our arrangements without initial outlay.
You will find more details on our page Funeral Pre-arrangements in Quebec and in the section Funeral Arrangements Without Disbursements Before Death.
Simple Cremation or Traditional Service: What are the Differences?
When it comes time to make a choice, many families ask themselves: “Should we opt for simple cremation or a more traditional funeral service with a viewing room, visitation, and burial?” There is no universally right or wrong answer: the best option is the one that respects your values, your means, and what the deceased would have wished.
1. The Service Structure
A traditional funeral service often includes:
- a viewing of the body at the funeral home (with coffin);
- visitation periods for family and friends;
- a religious or non-religious ritual in a viewing room, church, or other location;
- a procession to the cemetery, often followed by burial.
Simple cremation, as offered by Azur Funeral Services, focuses on:
- the deceased’s care and cremation;
- the delivery of ashes in an urn;
- assistance with administrative procedures;
- the freedom for the family to then organize a gathering, a celebration, or a ritual in their own way, at a time that suits them.
Some families prefer a highly structured setting with a precise sequence of events; others prefer the flexibility of a simpler tribute, at home or in a meaningful location.
2. Costs and Budget
In general, a traditional service with burial involves more costs: casket, viewing, transport, cemetery plot, burial, monument, etc. The amounts can quickly reach several thousand dollars.
Simple cremation, on the other hand, allows for:
- reducing costs associated with the coffin and burial;
- focusing the budget on essential services (cremation, procedures, basic urn);
- then adding, if desired, more modest but meaningful symbolic elements (small ceremony, family meal, home tribute, etc.).
For some families, especially when death occurs without financial preparation, simple cremation combined with possible financial aid (death benefit, social assistance, etc.) represents a more realistic solution. We explain these aids further in Financial assistance: $2,500 available upon death in Quebec.
3. Rituals, Spirituality, and Emotional Needs
Opting for simple cremation does not mean renouncing remembrance or the spiritual dimension. Many families who choose this option:
- organize a celebration of life later, with the urn present;
- hold an intimate ceremony at home or in a special place;
- create their own rituals (music, photos, stories, symbolic gestures) outside more formal settings.
Conversely, some individuals are very attached to a specific religious ritual or a family tradition (funeral mass, visitation at the funeral home, procession to the cemetery). In these cases, a more traditional service better meets their needs.
The important thing is to ask: what will best help the family begin its grief process? For some, it is the structure of the traditional ritual; for others, it is the freedom and simplicity of a cremation focused on the essentials.
4. Flexibility and Logistics
Simple cremation often offers more flexibility for:
- waiting for distant relatives to travel;
- choosing a gathering date less constrained by usual funeral timelines;
- adapting the form of the tribute according to the family’s circumstances.
In a traditional service, timelines are tighter, which can increase logistical stress: booking the viewing room, availability of the place of worship, organizing the reception, etc.
How to Choose What is Best for your Family?
To make a choice between simple cremation and a traditional service, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions:
- What would the deceased person likely have wished?
- What are our actual financial means, without causing financial hardship?
- What do we need to experience this moment: a structured setting or more freedom?
- Are there important family or spiritual traditions to respect?
You are not obligated to answer all of this alone. A funeral advisor can help you reflect, compare options, and choose what makes the most sense for you, here and now.
At Azur Funeral Services, our team is here to explain concretely how a simple cremation proceeds, what the costs are, what financial aid may apply, and what possibilities you have for organizing a tribute that reflects the departed person.
To discuss your situation, you can:
- consult the Cremation Services in Quebec page;
- learn about pre-arranged funeral services focused on cremation;
- write to us or call us via the Contact Us page.
Whether you opt for a simple cremation or a more traditional service, the essential thing is that your choices reflect your values, your
In Conclusion: Choosing the Cremation that Suits You
Whether you lean towards simple cremation or a more traditional funeral service, there is no “right” or “wrong” decision. Primarily, it’s about what is most consistent with your values, your financial reality, and what the deceased person would have wished. The important thing is that you feel at peace with your choices and can go through this stage with the utmost respect, without unnecessary pressure.
Simple cremation allows for focusing on the essentials: compassionate support, clear procedures, a well-regulated cremation service, and the possibility of organizing a tribute in your own way, at the right time. A traditional service, on the other hand, offers a more formal and structured setting, which can be very helpful for some families. In all cases, you deserve transparent explanations, clear costs, and genuine support.
At Azur Funeral Services, our role is to help you understand these options, calmly compare simple cremation and more traditional services, and then make the decision that truly suits you. If you have questions, if you are hesitating between several possibilities, or if you need to speak with someone who understands the reality of families in Quebec, we are here for you.
To discuss this simply, you can write to us or call us via the page Contact us. Together, we will take the time to determine what is most suitable for you and your loved ones, one step at a time.
