Understanding Time Limits for Holding Bodies in Canadian Morgues

When a loved one passes away, families are often faced with difficult decisions around funeral arrangements, burial or cremation plans. During this process, it is common for the deceased to be held temporarily at a morgue or refrigeration facility in the interim. However, there are regulations in Canada around how long a body can remain in such holding facilities before final disposition must occur.

Provincial and Territorial Body Holding Time Limits

In Canada, the rules and time limits regarding holding deceased bodies are governed provincially/territorially as part of coroner, funeral, and cemetery legislation.

Here are the general guidelines by region:

• British Columbia: No more than 6 calendar days at a refrigeration facility unless otherwise directed or permitted by the Director of Cemetery Operations.
• Alberta: Bodies cannot be held more than 6 calendar days without permission from the Director.
• Saskatchewan: No defined limit, but "prompt disposition" is required per The Funeral and Cremation Services Act.
• Manitoba: No more than 10 days at a holding facility without written permission from the Director.
• Ontario: A temporary holding period of 8 calendar days for cremation cases, and 6 calendar days for burial cases unless otherwise approved.
• Quebec: Bodies must be disposed of within a "reasonable timeframe" interpreted as around 8 days.
• New Brunswick: No clear limits specified in legislation. Up to facilities to ensure proper care and handling.
• Nova Scotia: Facilities cannot shelter a body for more than 10 days without permission from the regulator.
• PEI/Newfoundland & Labrador: Limited to 6 days for holding unless authorized for an extension.
• Yukon/Northwest Territories/Nunavut: Legislation is limited, timeframes are set by facilities.

As you can see, most provinces set limits of 6-10 calendar days maximum that a deceased can be sheltered or refrigerated before final disposition must take place. Certain provinces allow for potential extensions in special circumstances with proper request and approvals.

Reasons for Body Holding Time Limits

The time limits specified in provincial laws and regulations exist for a few key reasons:

1. Health Precautions Without proper embalming or extreme refrigeration, the human body begins to decompose after a number of days have passed. Enforcing reasonable holding periods helps uphold health standards and prevents improper sheltering of remains.
2. Respect for the Deceased Many faith traditions emphasize the importance of laying the deceased to rest in a timely fashion after death, as a final ritual out of respect. Regulated time limits align with common spiritual and cultural practices.
3. Operational Efficiency
   Morgues and holding facilities have limited space available. Maintaining a regulated schedule for intake and disposition of remains is critical for the operational capabilities of these facilities.

Factors That Impact Body Holding Timeframes

While there are prescribed limits in legislation, many factors can influence the holding time required in a specific situation:

• Cause of Death: If the death falls under a coroner's investigation, remains may need to be held longer for examination and clearance.
• Holiday/Weekend Timing: Deaths occurring on holidays or weekends may require interim holding until next business operating days.
• Facility Backlogs: During peak periods, body holding spaces may be in high demand with limited availability.
• Family Readiness: It may take several days for all family members to make arrangements and decisions on final disposition.
• Transportation Planning: If the body is being repatriated internationally, obtaining documents and scheduling flights adds time required.

Most facilities aim to uphold legislated guidelines but also accommodate compassionate extensions when possible based on family circumstances.

Respectful and Timely Practices

While saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, rest assured that coroners, morgues, funeral homes and other providers across Canada operate under clearly defined procedures and regulations to handle the deceased with care and get them to their final resting place in a respectful, timely manner prescribed by law.