Importing Human Remains into Canada: A Practical Guide for Families

When a loved one passes away outside of Canada, one of the first questions families face is: how do we bring them home? The process — governed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) — involves specific documentation, packaging requirements, and border procedures that can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time.

This guide breaks it down clearly, so you know what to expect and how your funeral director can help coordinate the details.

What Counts as "Human Remains" Under Canadian Regulations

The CBSA defines human remains broadly. The term covers complete bodies, body parts, organs, tissues, skeletal remains, and anthropological or archaeological specimens.

Cremated remains are treated separately and are subject to far fewer restrictions — which is one of the reasons many families choose cremation abroad before transporting the ashes home.

Importing a Body into Canada

If you're bringing a loved one's full remains back to Canada, there are specific requirements that must be met before the remains can cross the border.

Documentation

An original death certificate must accompany the remains. If the certificate is not in English or French, a certified translation is required. Border officers will review the certificate upon arrival and assess next steps based on the documented cause of death.

Additional documents that may be required depending on the country of origin include an embalming certificate, a non-infectious disease certificate, and an export permit from the foreign government.

Container Requirements

At a minimum, human remains must be transported in a leak-proof container. For air transport, most airlines require a hermetically sealed (airtight) container — typically a casket or coffin placed inside an airline-approved air tray.

Using a hermetically sealed container can also simplify the border clearance process. If the cause of death is unclear or not specified on the certificate, CBSA officers can typically release sealed containers with a directive not to open them — whereas non-sealed containers may require consultation with a quarantine officer.

What Happens at the Border

When the remains arrive at a Canadian airport, CBSA officers will review the death certificate and take action based on what it shows:

• No communicable disease indicated: The remains are typically released without delay.

• Cause of death unclear or not specified: If the container is hermetically sealed, it can usually be released with a warning not to open it. If not sealed, a quarantine officer may need to be consulted.

• No death certificate available: A quarantine officer must be contacted before the remains can be released. In these cases, other documentation — such as a coroner's letter confirming the identity of the deceased and the absence of communicable disease — can be helpful.

• Communicable disease documented: Hermetically sealed containers can be released with a warning. Non-sealed containers require quarantine officer consultation.

• Damaged container: If there's any sign of a broken seal, leak, or compromised packaging, a quarantine officer must be notified.

It's worth noting that HIV/AIDS and hepatitis are not considered communicable diseases of concern in this context under the Quarantine Act.

Importing Cremated Remains into Canada

Cremated remains are significantly easier to bring into Canada. Because they pose no quarantine risk, a death certificate is not technically required — though it is strongly recommended that you carry both the death certificate and the cremation certificate when travelling.

The remains should be in a container that can be easily scanned by security equipment. CATSA (the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) recommends containers made of plastic, cardboard, cloth, or wood — materials that are less likely to trigger alarms during screening. Metal urns and dense ceramic containers may cause issues at security checkpoints.

If you're carrying cremated remains as carry-on luggage, be aware that containers holding 350 mL or more of inorganic powder or granular material may be restricted at passenger screening checkpoints. For larger volumes, shipping via air cargo through a funeral home is often the smoother option. Check with your airline as well — some carriers have specific policies about cremated remains in checked baggage.

Canadian Airports with Quarantine Stations

Several major Canadian airports have dedicated quarantine stations staffed around the clock to assist with repatriation cases. These include:

• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

• Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

• Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)

Other international airports in Canada may also accept human remains but typically coordinate with these main quarantine stations for guidance. Your funeral director or repatriation specialist will arrange the arrival at the most appropriate airport for your situation.

Exporting Human Remains from Canada

If you need to send remains from Canada to another country — for example, if a foreign national passes away while visiting — the process requires export documentation. If the deceased had a communicable disease, permission must be obtained from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Your funeral director can coordinate export requirements, including working with the receiving country's embassy or consulate to ensure all regulations are met on both ends.

Communicable Diseases of Concern

The Quarantine Act maintains a list of communicable diseases that trigger additional border procedures. These include, but are not limited to, active pulmonary tuberculosis, anthrax, cholera, Ebola, plague, smallpox, and yellow fever. This list can change, so your funeral director or repatriation specialist will reference the most current version when coordinating a transfer.

The Role of Your Funeral Director

The regulations around importing human remains are detailed, but families are not expected to navigate them alone. Experienced funeral directors and repatriation specialists handle these logistics routinely — coordinating documentation, booking airline cargo, liaising with foreign funeral providers, and ensuring everything is in order for CBSA clearance before the remains arrive.

At Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, we work with families and international partners to coordinate both the sending and receiving of remains. Whether your loved one passed away abroad and needs to be brought home to British Columbia, or a family member from another country needs to be returned to their home, we manage the details so you can focus on what matters most.

Bereavement Travel Fares

If you need to fly to be with family or attend a funeral following a death, many airlines offer reduced bereavement fares for immediate family members — including spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and in-laws. Eligibility and discounts vary by airline, so it's worth calling directly to ask. Having the name and contact information of the funeral home involved can help expedite the booking.

Planning Ahead

If you or a family member travel internationally on a regular basis — particularly to warmer destinations during winter — it's worth reviewing your travel insurance policy to confirm whether repatriation coverage is included. Knowing what's covered ahead of time, and having a conversation with your family about your wishes, can make an enormous difference if the unexpected occurs.

At Alternatives, we're here to help families think through these considerations — whether you're planning ahead or dealing with a repatriation right now. Our team offers clear guidance, experienced coordination, and the steady support families need during a difficult time.