Petition for burial in shroud to the National Assembly
Posted October 5, 2025 12:38 pm.
Québec solidaire (QS) is sponsoring a petition for the right to be buried in a shroud, a method traditionally favored by Muslims and Jews and considered more environmentally friendly.
The petition was launched recently and is being sponsored by MP Vincent Marissal.
In Quebec, it is illegal to bury a body in a shroud. Indeed, the Regulations for the Funeral Activities Act stipulate that “for any burial, the body must be placed in a coffin in such a way as to prevent leakage and allow for safe handling of the body.”
The petition argues that the shroud is a more economical and environmentally friendly method.
It is argued that this method eliminates toxic emissions and harmful products, and that sites that allow shrouds help preserve natural habitats and support biodiversity. As the body decomposes, it returns its nutrients to the ecosystem, it is argued.
Also added is the absence of emissions related to cremation, the manufacture of coffins and vaults, and those associated with the transportation and maintenance of traditional cemeteries.
The text’s arguments also include the cost. Burial with a shroud is at the “lower end” of funeral costs in Canada, which are generally estimated at between $5,000 and $25,000.
Finally, it is also argued that Quebec citizens should have the right to choose funeral practices consistent with their “values and beliefs,” and that “traditionally, Muslims and Jews wish to be buried in shrouds.”
The text of the petition states that “none of the 10 Canadian provinces, except Quebec, prohibits burial in shrouds,” but the Corporation of Thanatologists of Quebec indicated that this information was incorrect.
The Canadian Press requested an interview with MP Vincent Marissal, but the parliamentary wing’s press secretary indicated that this was not possible.
The petition had collected 204 signatures to date. The deadline for signing is December 15.
When asked to respond, the Corporation of Thanatologists of Quebec remained cautious. It should be noted that Santé Québec oversees current practices and standards for public health reasons.
It should be noted that some American states have permitted burial in shrouds, but others have prohibited them.
It should be noted that there is currently an open-air human decomposition laboratory in Bécancour, managed by the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).
Finally, the corporation announced that it had, itself, developed a guide to best eco-responsible practices in the funeral industry.
It should be remembered that the right to petition has been a fundamental right since the origins of Quebec’s parliamentary system under the British regime.
An MNA may refuse to sponsor a petition if it does not reflect their values or opinions and may then recommend another colleague to sponsor it.
Once the signature period is over, the MNA sponsoring the petition tables it at a sitting of the National Assembly.
The government is required to respond, and the petition is also referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for its decision on whether to consider it.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
