Quebec coroner suspends funeral transport company after video shows improper handling of body

The Quebec coroner's office suspended a contract with a private funeral transport company after a video showed an employee moving a body, violating standards.

The Quebec coroner’s office has suspended its contract with a private funeral transport company after a video circulating on social media appeared to show an employee moving a body in a way that officials say violated basic standards of dignity and respect.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the coroner’s office said it was made aware of the video on Wednesday.

The footage appears to show an employee of a contracted funeral carrier dragging a deceased person in a body bag.

It was shared widely after being edited and posted by Quebec City radio host Stéphan Dupont, who received it from a listener.

In his post, Dupont said it happened at an apartment in Quebec City and “is not a joke.”

The office described the act as “unacceptable.”

The company, which was responsible for transporting bodies to morgues under a service contract with the coroner’s office, was immediately suspended.

The office said the inquiry has already begun, and the company is cooperating to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.

Noovo Info has learned that the company in question is Harmonia. CTV News reached out to the company but so far, it has not responded.

The coroner would not comment on the matter, but did tell CTV News that two people are supposed to be involved when transporting a body.

Officials said they have contacted the family of the deceased and offered condolences and support.

The Quebec Morticians’ Association left a comment on the video, also calling it “unacceptable.”

“If this video is genuine, we totally condemn this practice, which is unacceptable in terms of the dignity of a deceased person, and we are calling for an investigation by the coroner’s office and the Minister of Public Security, Ian Lafrenière,” it wrote.

The coroner’s office emphasized that it works with about 100 private transport providers, all of which are required to uphold strict service standards and treat the deceased and grieving families with respect.

“If a company does not meet these obligations, the coroner’s office will not hesitate to act, as we have done in this case,” the statement said.