Disposal of Used Body Bags and Health-Care Risk Waste

How used bags are classified

Under GN R.363, waste generated in mortuary preparation rooms must be treated as health-care risk waste. In practice, used body bags contaminated with body fluids should be managed as health-care risk waste in line with your provincial and municipal requirements and your facility’s waste management plan.

Good practice

• Place used bags in the correct health-care risk waste containers immediately.
• Do not reuse single-use bags.
• Use a licensed health-care risk waste contractor and keep manifests and disposal certificates.
• Train staff on segregation – clean packaging (cartons, outer wrap) can go to general recycling.

Bags that go with the deceased

Where a bag accompanies the deceased to the crematorium, chlorine-free materials (PE, PEVA) are preferable to PVC because burning chlorinated plastics can produce harmful emissions. Check your crematorium’s requirements. For burial, many families and cemeteries prefer no plastic in the grave.

Reducing waste

• Use the right bag for the job – not every case needs a heavy-duty bag.
• Choose reusable transfer covers for funeral-home transport where hygiene protocols allow.
• Order full cartons and rotate stock to avoid expiry losses.

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Educational resource only. This article does not replace facility protocols, infection-prevention policies, official forensic procedures, manufacturer instructions or legal advice. Always verify product suitability against the applicable protocol and supplier test evidence. Last reviewed: October 2026.