Funerals are deeply personal and culturally significant events, and every country has its own unique way of honoring the dead. In Canada, a diverse nation shaped by Indigenous, French, British, and numerous other immigrant traditions, funeral practices can be both meaningful and, in some cases, a bit peculiar. Here, we’ll explore some of the more unusual funeral traditions in Canada, blending the spiritual, the practical, and the culturally unique to show how Canadians approach death in ways that are sometimes unexpected.
1. The “Charnel House” of the Haida People
The Haida, an Indigenous people from the Pacific Northwest, have a fascinating and unique funerary custom involving “charnel houses.” Traditionally, when a person of high status dies, their body is placed in a bentwood box and left in a specially constructed mortuary house to decompose naturally. These boxes, often intricately carved with clan symbols and designs, serve as a form of protection for the spirit on its journey to the afterlife.
The remains were once placed in these raised structures, away from the ground, as a sign of respect and reverence. What makes this tradition even more unique is that, after a time, the bones would be broken and placed into a memorial totem pole. These totem poles stand as markers of a person’s life and accomplishments and can often be seen dotting the coastal landscapes of British Columbia. Though not commonly practiced today, some Haida still commemorate the dead in ways that honor their ancestors and the legacy of this tradition.
2. Cree Sky Burial
Similar to the Tibetan sky burial, some Cree communities have a tradition of leaving the bodies of the dead on elevated platforms, where nature takes over in the decomposition process. The sky burial honors the idea that death is a return to nature, allowing animals and the elements to reclaim the body. The Cree belief in the cycle of life is central to this tradition, with the understanding that every death nourishes the earth in some way.
This practice might seem strange or even morbid to outsiders, but it represents the deep connection many Indigenous peoples have to the land and the natural world.
3. The Quebec Winter Funeral Challenge
In Quebec, winter can present a unique challenge for funerals, especially in rural areas where the ground freezes so deeply that digging a grave becomes nearly impossible. Historically, during harsh winters, families would have to store bodies for several months until the ground thawed enough to allow burial. This led to the creation of “body houses” or “death barns,” specially designed outbuildings where bodies could be kept in coffins until the spring.
These temporary morgues were used well into the 20th century, and while modern technology has largely replaced the need for such facilities, the logistical challenges of holding a funeral in sub-zero temperatures still persist. Today, cremation is more commonly chosen during the winter months, and in some communities, modern cemeteries are equipped with special heating systems to thaw the ground for winter burials.
4. The Cross-Cultural Potluck Funeral Reception
In a country as culturally diverse as Canada, funerals can sometimes reflect a strange fusion of traditions. It’s not uncommon for a funeral in Canada to include elements from multiple cultural or religious backgrounds, resulting in an eclectic mix of rituals. For instance, at some funerals, you might witness a Christian-style service followed by a traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony, and then a Chinese tea ritual.
One of the more lighthearted and bizarre traditions is the potluck funeral reception, where the food served is an eclectic mix of dishes reflecting the cultural background of the deceased and their family. Imagine sitting down to a meal of French-Canadian tourtière, Ukrainian perogies, Jamaican jerk chicken, and sushi all at the same gathering, all of which serves to highlight the multicultural nature of Canada’s population. It’s an unusual but comforting way for families to celebrate the life of the deceased and share in their cultural heritage.
5. The “Fake” Funeral in Newfoundland
One of the more humorous and bizarre funeral traditions in Canada comes from Newfoundland, where it’s not unusual to hear of a “fake” funeral being held in celebration of a living person. The tradition, called a “living wake,” involves hosting a funeral-like event for someone who is still alive, giving them the chance to hear their own eulogy and celebrate their life with friends and family. These events are often planned by the honoree themselves, and they can range from deeply sentimental to wildly comedic, depending on the personality of the individual.
The living wake allows people to express their love and appreciation for the person while they are still alive to enjoy it. It can be a cathartic and humorous experience for everyone involved and adds an unusual twist to the concept of death and funerals.
6. Tibetan Sky Burial Meets Modern Cremation: The West Coast
In British Columbia, a relatively recent, but equally odd, tradition involves “cremation scattering” ceremonies that mimic Tibetan sky burials. Families and friends of the deceased travel to mountaintops or forested areas, where they scatter the ashes of their loved ones into the wind, symbolizing a return to nature and the sky. The connection to Tibetan traditions comes from the West Coast’s significant Buddhist population, which has inspired these unique scattering rituals.
While scattering ashes is common across many cultures, the West Coast has adopted a deeply spiritual and often serene approach, with some services involving chanting, drumming, and meditation. Families often treat these occasions more as celebrations of life than somber farewells, making it a beautiful, if unconventional, way to say goodbye.
7. The Scottish Highland “Calling of the Pipes”
Canada is home to a large Scottish population, particularly in Nova Scotia, where traditional Scottish funeral customs have blended with Canadian practices. One particularly unique tradition is the calling of the pipes. At some funerals, bagpipers play hauntingly beautiful tunes as the funeral procession moves from the church to the cemetery. While bagpipes are more commonly associated with parades and public ceremonies, their presence at a funeral can feel both strange and deeply moving, with their mournful sound echoing across the landscape.
Read more: Scottish Funeral Traditions
8. The Inuit Funerals and the Power of the Story
Among the Inuit people, storytelling plays a central role in their funeral practices. When someone dies, a community member, often an elder, tells the story of the person’s life, sometimes using traditional chants and songs to accompany the narrative. This oral history tradition ensures that the memory of the deceased is passed on through generations, keeping their spirit alive in the stories of the living.
What may seem peculiar to outsiders is the highly personalized and sometimes humorous nature of these stories. Funerals among the Inuit are not purely somber occasions—they’re moments of laughter, reflection, and memory-sharing. It’s not unusual for funny stories about the deceased’s life to be shared, providing comfort to those grieving and reminding them of the joy the person brought into the world.
