SHIPPING A CRYONICS PATIENT OUT OF CANADA

Legal requirements for the shipping of human remains in Canada are determined by the respective Provinces. Because all of the suspension facilities are in the United States, cryonics cryonics patients must be shipped by common carrier. In the Spring of 1991 Susan MacKinnon, the Administrative Secretary of the Funeral Service Association of Canada [(416) 619-0982] made a faxed information request to all the regulatory agencies of all the Provinces concerning the legality of shipping unembalmed remains out of these Provinces. More recently it came to light that Quebec does not require embalming. The most current information available shows:

• ALBERTA
  Embalming required if shipping case is not hermetically-sealed
• BRITISH COLUMBIA
  Embalming not required
• MANITOBA
  Embalming not required
• NEW BRUNSWICK
  Embalming required if shipping case is not hermetically-sealed
• NOVA SCOTIA
  Embalming not required if shipment within 72 hours of death
• ONTARIO
  Embalming not required unless dictated by the carrier or the receiving jurisdiction
• PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
  Embalming always required
• QUEBEC
  Embalming not required
• SASKATCHEWAN
  Embalming required if shipping case is not hermetically-sealed

This would seem to be a problem for Canadians cryonicists living in Prince Edward Island. However, it may be possible to legally ship a cryonics patient by private vehicle (rather than common carrier) to a nearby Province that does not require embalming. Then a common carrier could be booked for air shipment.

Canadian cryonicists are encouraged to remain abreast of current legal developments affecting cryonics in their respective Provinces. Such information should be available through the Provincial Funeral Service. Contact information:

• Alberta Funeral Service Association (403) 289-2405
• British Columbia Funeral Association (604) 388-7055
• Manitoba Funeral Service Association (204) 269-1264
• New Brunswick Board For Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors (506) 789-1699
• Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors (902) 678-1999
• Board of Funeral Services-Ontario (416) 979-5450
• Prince Edward Island Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association (613) 938-3888
• Corporation des Thanatologues du Quebec (418) 275-4875
• Saskatchewan Funeral Service Association (306) 236-5501

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