Typically when someone makes funeral arrangements, they rely on a licensed funeral home to perform the services and the transportation of a departed loved one. However, sometimes we get requests from individuals who want to take personal responsibility for the transfer of remains of a loved one to a funeral home, crematorium or a cemetery. If you are considering the option of a private transfer, there are processes to follow to make sure that the handling of the remains is done in a safe, dignified and respectful manner.
The following information is for the legal representative of the deceased. There are rules in BC that outline who has the final say around what happens to a loved one’s remains once they have passed on. Learn more about who gets to decide.
Have the paperwork in place:
Following a death, the remains must be transferred to their final destination as soon as possible. As the legal representative of the deceased, you will get a Medical Certificate of Death from the medical practitioner or Coroner.
You must also contact Vital Statistics to register the death. You will be given a Burial Permit (officially called a Disposition Permit and Acknowledgement of Registration of Death and a Death Certificate from Vital Statistics. This information must be given to the cemetery or crematorium before they can be buried or cremated.
Get permission for a private transfer:
Then you must submit a Private Transfer Permit Application to our office for approval. This application ensures that all proper procedures are followed. This form must be approved by our office before the private transfer can happen.
Follow the requirements when transferring the deceased:
During transportation, the deceased must be placed in an enclosed rigid, leak-proof container and not visible to the public. Also, the person transferring the remains must be in the vehicle or it must be locked and secure at all times. These rules are outlined in section 12 of the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act and sections 4 & 5 of the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Regulation,
Consider your obligations if transferring to another jurisdiction:
A private transfer permit is only valid while transferring a deceased within British Columbia. If you are going outside of British Columbia, permits must also be obtained from other jurisdictions.
Know what is required if transferring to a crematorium:
Not all crematoriums can receive private transfers so it’s a good idea to check with them ahead of time to find out what is possible.
A death can often result in many difficult decisions being made in a very short period of time. By knowing your obligations beforehand, a private transfer allows family and friends options on how to bring a deceased to their final resting place.
Where to go for more information
Certain aspects of funeral services are regulated in BC to protect you during this challenging time. Funeral services are governed in BC under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (and regulations) and the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act and the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Regulation. We oversee those laws and funeral homes and funeral directors must hold a licence with us.
For more information about the funeral services rules in BC, visit the funeral services section of our website.
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About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific sectors and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Hi there,
This article says that remains must be transported in a “rigid container”. IF you wanted to bury remains in a shroud for natural burial, would you also need a rigid container to transport?
Thanks,
Rachel
are the laws and requirements the same in Alberta
Hi Robert, the laws and requirements may be different in Alberta. Please contact the government so you can get accurate information from them. Here’s the contact information – https://www.alberta.ca/contact.cfm
Hi there, thank you for posting your question. It’s my understanding that anytime you are transporting a remain, it needs to be in a rigid container. We did write a blog post about green burials so take a look, the link is here (http://bit.ly/2kRrrLS). If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at toll free 1-888-564-9963. Thank you, Rachel!
This link no longer works. Where can the blog post be found?
Hi Peter J, are you looking for the green burial post? We’ve moved our website so the links have changed. Here’s the same post – https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/2013/01/green_burials/ Let me know if you are still having trouble reaching the page.
Can you explain on what basis “Not all crematoriums can receive private transfers,” Many thanks
Hi Pashta, thank you for your question. Not all crematoriums will accept private transfers and they are within their rights to do so. Some crematoriums may have their own additional requirements in order to accept private transfers, some may accept them based only on the requirements laid out in the law (such as the requirement of a rigid container to transfer the remains), and others may not accept them at all. If anyone is considering doing a private transfer, it is recommended to contact the crematorium in advance to determine what their rules are in regard to private transfers. I hope this answers your question!
You used to publish a comprehensive fact sheet under Cemetery and funeral Services called “Private Transport Information Sheet.” It was most helpful. is it still available?
Hi Don, we don’t have the fact sheet but if you are looking for additional information that is not covered in this post, please feel free to contact us here. We would be happy to answer any questions!
Do you require any special licensing if you’re a private business that transports the deceased on behalf of funeral homes from hospitals, care homes and private residents?
Hi Nick, thanks for reaching out to us here. As long as the transfer is arranged by a licensed funeral director, you do not need a permit. Please feel free to give our licensing and information centre a call if you need more information about this at 1.888.564.9963. Thanks!
It may be “arranged” by a licensed funeral director, but the actual person doing the transfer doesn’t have to have a license except a normal class 5 drivers license, and that transfer driver may not have any formal training on universal precautions on how to handle an infectious case. With COVID-19 now in Vancouver care homes, WE NEED proper transfer drivers not simply someone who answered an ad on craigslist driving around with an infectious dead body not knowing how to properly handle it.
Anyone straight off the street can apply and get a job doing just that for one of the transfer driving places, Insurance and a business license is all you need. IMO
If a private transfer is preferred by the family, the way your application form/transfer permit is unrealistic. Say a loved one passes away in a home, care home or hospice and the loved one was wanting cremation. Well first off, a medical certificate of death from a doctor can take some time, even up to 48 hours, what care home or hospice wants a dead person sitting around for 1 or 2 days ( unrealistic) and a signed cremation form? You may call the crematorium but they might be busy and might not be able to get to you right away, your appointment may be 1 or 2 days away depending on many factors, who ever made the rules for private body transfer on that application knows NOTHING about the business, or simply is making it so tough on the private family members that they are pressured to give up and let the funeral home pick up the body. A lot of times unlicensed transfer drivers are sent to the location and they don’t have any formal training…..Consumer Protection needs to do its homework on this subject, transfer drivers need to be licensed as funeral providers and anyone with 1 or more years experience needs to be grandfathered in. Licensed Funeral directors simply talk to familys and take money and signatures, an UN LICENSED transfer driver handles the dead body from a hospital, care facility, a private home or a hospice, drives it all over town on a simple stretcher ( not a rigid container) and doesn’t require a simple funeral license? Im not talking about an embalmers license.
Hi Doug, thank you for leaving us a comment here. Regarding your concerns, would you be able to send us an email to info@consumerprotectionbc.ca? We appreciate your time!
Is there a fee associated with the application for a private transfer permit? And what is the usual processing time?
Hi Micheline, a private transfer permit does not cost money. They are considered time-sensitive and urgent documents so you can typically expect an immediate return of the document. Having said that, our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PST). We will be closed for Canada Day this week. If you have any urgent requests or questions, please feel free to call our office at 1.888.564.9963.
What does a “rigid container” actually mean? A coffin?
Hi Barry, thank you for posting your question here. The regulation defines what a rigid container is and here is the link to that. We have also written a blog post about this in the past and it might be helpful to you, here’s the link. As you mentioned, something like a coffin, container or casket would all be appropriate (they are all slightly different in shapes). If you have any further questions, please contact us.
Why would a crematorium refuse a private transfer?
Especially if the person has all the required permits and certificates?
Hi Mary, I am not sure why that would be but we would certainly like to know more details. Would you be able to give us a call? Our toll-free number is 1-888-564-9963, alternatively, you can email us at info@consumerprotectionbc.ca. Thank you.
I’m preparing a burial for my deceased infant (not born yet.) The cemetery requires 5 days notice for site preparation. Can I keep the remains at my house for 5 days – if yes, how should I do that? Can I fill out a private transfer form in advance without knowing the date of birth? Thank you.
Hi Robyn, I am so sorry to hear this. It may be best to contact our office so you can speak to one of our staff about a private transfer. You can visit our website to find different ways to get in touch with us here. I will also pass on your email address to our team so you may hear from someone via email in the next few days.
I have a brother who has passed in early 1990’s in Vancouver and is in a cemetery , Would like to have him exhumed from there and placed in new coffin and I would like to drive him home to Calgary.
Can any one help me with arrange this or give me some idea where to start.
Hi Carmel, thank you for getting in contact with us. We have some information on our website about disinterment requests as well as the form to fill out. Please visit this page on our website and read it through, you can also contact us if you have any further questions on the process.
Why not reply to all questions here?
I want answers too.
Hi Christine,
We reply to all questions that get posted and we’re happy to help. How can we assist you?