Project background
Our religious community undertook a major project: the transfer of 50 remains of our Brothers from a cemetery slated for closure (Saint-Romuald) to the Brothers’ cemetery in La Prairie.
This initiative was part of our plan to restructure burial sites in Quebec, with the aim of retaining only two cemeteries: La Prairie and Trois-Rivières (Pointe-du-Lac). This project also made sense in the context of the sale of the property where the cemetery was located to the Juvénat Notre-Dame du Saint-Laurent corporation.
Legal and administrative procedures (2023-2025)
The first phase of the project, which took nearly two years, consisted of meeting all of Quebec’s legal and civil requirements for the exhumation and transfer of remains. Given the complexity of the applicable legal framework, we called on a specialized law firm to assist us throughout this process.
This step required obtaining
authorizations from several authorities:
- The National Director of Public Health, responsible for regulations governing the exhumation and disposal of human remains;
- The Department of Health and Social Services, which issues exhumation permits;
- The Diocese of Quebec, whose ecclesiastical authorization was required given the religious nature of the cemetery;
- The Superior Court of Quebec, which gave final approval following authorizations obtained from other authorities.
These complex administrative procedures required rigor, patience, and meticulous attention to detail, all before proceeding with the physical transfer operations.
Exhumation of remains (June-August 2025)
The exhumation of the 50 remains took place during the last week of June 2025. This delicate operation, as well as the subsequent cremation, was entrusted to Groupe Garneau, a family-owned business in Lévis known for its professionalism. Each step was carried out with the utmost respect and dignity required for such work, in accordance with the strictest professional standards and taking into account the sacred nature of this task. Cremation allowed the remains to be prepared for their final transfer, while facilitating their preservation and transport.
Transportation and final burial (October 2025)
In October 2025, the urns containing the ashes of the “Brothers of the District of Saint-Romuald” were transported to their final resting place in the Brothers’ cemetery in La Prairie. It should be noted that since
July 2025, the property where the La Prairie cemetery
is located has belonged to Collège Jean de la Mennais, which is now responsible for its maintenance. However, the community retains the right to use the portion of
land where the cemetery is located, thus ensuring
the preservation and respect of this site.
An imposing funerary monument was erected on
the burial site, created by the company Monuments
Saint-Georges de Longueuil, on the initiative of Brother Hervé Lacroix. The names
of our fifty Brothers are carefully engraved in alphabetical order, united one last time under the motto of our Institute: Dieu Seul (God Alone).
On December 15, the members of the Provincial Council and a
few other Brothers gathered for a ceremony of remembrance.
This moment of sharing and prayer allowed us to officially honor the memory of our Brothers of Saint-Romuald, while highlighting their dedication
and commitment.
News give by Bro. Claude Gélinas, Project Manager