What happens when someone dies without family or friends to commemorate them? What is our responsibility to these people as a society? What is the connection between unclaimed bodies and the notion of dignity after death?
Interview with Patrice Chavegros, Vice-President of Athos Services Commémoratifs, former Executive Director of Urgel Bourgie / Athos and thanatologist with over 40 years’ experience.
Unclaimed bodies: what the law says
Under Quebec law, a deceased person is considered “unclaimed” when no relatives come forward after their death. In such cases, the coroner will conduct a search, in collaboration with the police, to find a family member. If the investigation is unsuccessful, the body of the deceased is then defined as “unclaimed.”
A deceased person may be declared “unclaimed” even if a family member is available. In some instances, a relative may refuse to claim the body.
Unclaimed bodies are handed over to a funeral service provider, which will arrange for their burial or cremation. A funeral service provider cannot refuse to take charge of an unclaimed body, even if the amount paid by the government falls far short of covering the costs involved.
Dying alone: a society (and family) issue
Beyond the procedures surrounding this (all too) common situation lies a much deeper issue. Unclaimed bodies are more than just a logistical problem; they represent a societal issue that cannot be ignored:
“You could say that this is a problem that has grown exponentially over the years,” explains Patrice Chavegros, “but it’s more than that. When a problem reaches such proportions, we talk about a trend.”
The number of unclaimed bodies has more than tripled in Quebec in 15 years, rising from 213 in 2008 to 725 in 2023. According to Mr. Chavegros, this reflects a disengagement not only on the part of society, but also on the part of individuals:
“People are living more and more isolated lives,” he deplores. “Families used to be very close-knit. Today, everyone lives on their own, so it’s very common to see people dying alone because they have no one left.”
A sad observation that, unfortunately, rings all too true. “These people all had interesting lives,” adds the vice president, who believes that everyone should be entitled to a final farewell that reflects their life story.
A dignified rest for the unclaimed
For Urgel Bourgie / Athos, dignity of the deceased is a fundamental right to which everyone should have access, regardless of their situation. That is why, when our team is charged with the responsibility of an unclaimed deceased person, they are treated with the same professionalism and attention as anyone else entrusted to our care.
A humane approach, from preparation to cremation
At Urgel Bourgie/Athos, the chosen method of disposal for unclaimed deceased persons is cremation. “We treat these individuals with the same humanity as we would someone whose family is taking care of their funeral,” adds Mr. Chavegros.
A dignified resting place, surrounded by nature
Urgel Bourgie / Athos’ commitment to unclaimed deceased individuals does not end there. While it could simply dispose of the ashes in a common grave, the funeral company is committed to providing them with a dignified resting place. Their ashes are buried in one of its 3 beautiful memorial gardens, located in Laval, Montreal, and Saint-Hubert. “We offer them dignity in their final resting place and burial; that’s important to us,” emphasizes Patrice Chavegros.
A memorial ritual for the forgotten
In addition to providing attentive care and a unique resting place, Urgel Bourgie / Athos organizes memorial ceremonies in honor of these forgotten deceased several times a year. This allows them to rest in peace and their lives to be celebrated.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos: funeral expertise at the service of all
For 120 years, Urgel Bourgie / Athos has been putting its expertise at the service of families and communities throughout the Greater Montreal area, offering compassionate and humane support.
For us, unclaimed deceased persons are more than just a statistic. As long as there are people who die in silence, we will be there to offer them a dignified rest.