Canada sees rise in unclaimed deceased individuals

Canadian authorities in Ontario and Quebec are reporting a rapid increase in the number of deceased individuals whose remains are not being claimed by relatives for burial.

In Ontario, the number of unclaimed deaths rose to approximately 1,710 last year, up from 691 in 2020 and 189 in 2010. The majority of these cases occurred in the Toronto metropolitan area. In Toronto, 23 percent of families were reportedly unable to claim remains due to financial constraints, as funeral costs can reach several thousand dollars. Additionally, 35 percent of cases involved individuals where no relatives could be located, and 28 percent involved unclaimed fetal remains.

In Quebec, Santé Québec reported 992 unclaimed bodies in 2025, primarily in Montreal, compared to 448 in 2020 and 355 in 2010. Experts suggest that poverty, homelessness, migration backgrounds, and social alienation are key drivers. Data indicates that the majority of those left unclaimed are men, accounting for 85 percent of cases between 2014 and 2023, often involving elderly individuals dying alone at home or in hospitals.