When a person dies, their body is typically transferred to a hospital morgue, funeral home, or coroner’s facility while arrangements are made for burial, cremation, or other final disposition. However, there are legal and practical time limits on how long a body can be held in a morgue before further action is required. In Canada, these limits vary by province and are influenced by factors such as refrigeration capacity, autopsy requirements, and next-of-kin decisions.
General Morgue Holding Periods in Canada
While there is no single national law governing how long a body can remain in a morgue, each province and territory has guidelines that dictate maximum holding times. In general:
- Short-Term Storage (24-72 Hours): Many morgues aim to move bodies to a funeral home within 24 to 72 hours unless an autopsy is required or there is difficulty reaching next of kin.
- Extended Storage (7-30 Days): If arrangements are delayed, most provinces allow bodies to be kept in refrigerated morgue storage for up to 30 days. Beyond this, legal intervention or alternative arrangements may be needed.
- Unclaimed Bodies (30+ Days): If a body remains unclaimed, municipal or provincial authorities may assume responsibility for burial or cremation.
Provincial and Territorial Variations
Each province has different regulations regarding how long a body can remain in a morgue:
- Ontario: Typically, bodies are held for up to 30 days in a hospital or coroner’s facility before alternative arrangements must be made. If unclaimed, the municipality may take over arrangements.
- British Columbia: Bodies are usually kept in a morgue for up to 21 days. Unclaimed bodies fall under the Public Guardian and Trustee’s jurisdiction.
- Alberta: Morgue storage is limited to 14-30 days unless a court order or medical investigation requires longer retention.
- Quebec: Hospitals and coroners’ offices generally allow bodies to remain in a morgue for up to 30 days before further action is required.
- Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Most facilities follow a 30-day limit, though in some rural areas, capacity constraints may shorten the holding period.
- Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador): Holding limits range from 14 to 30 days, depending on coroner involvement and funeral home availability.
- Northern Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut): Given the smaller facilities, holding times may be shorter, with an emphasis on expediting burial or transportation arrangements.
What Happens if a Body is Not Claimed?
If a deceased person’s body is not claimed within the designated time frame, provincial authorities may step in. In most cases:
- The coroner’s office will attempt to locate next of kin.
- If no family is found or willing to take responsibility, municipalities may arrange for burial or cremation under social assistance programs.
- Unclaimed remains may be interred in a designated public cemetery or cremated, with ashes stored or scattered in accordance with local policies.
Factors That Can Extend Morgue Holding Periods
There are certain circumstances in which a body may be held in a morgue beyond standard time limits:
- Criminal Investigations: If a body is involved in a crime or suspicious death, the coroner or police may hold it longer for forensic examination.
- Legal Disputes: If there is disagreement over next-of-kin rights, court intervention may delay the release of the body.
- Public Health Considerations: In cases of contagious diseases or mass casualty events, government health agencies may determine how long bodies can be stored and how they should be handled.
- Religious and Cultural Considerations: Some faith groups require burial within specific time frames. Morgues often try to accommodate these requests when possible.
How Families Can Expedite Funeral Arrangements
To avoid complications or extended morgue stays, families can take the following steps:
- Make Prearrangements: Having a prearranged funeral plan in place can ensure a smooth transition from the morgue to burial or cremation.
- Stay in Contact: If a loved one passes away in a hospital or under medical care, staying in touch with hospital staff or the coroner’s office can help streamline arrangements.
- Seek Legal Help if Needed: If there are disputes over burial or cremation, legal assistance may help resolve issues more quickly.
