No. Burial is the established Islamic practice and cremation is not accepted across the four schools.
The Canadian position
Canadian law permits either. Where no instructions exist, the person with authority over the remains decides — which is why written instructions matter.
The Islamic position
The four Sunni schools agree on burial. This is one point where leaving no instruction can produce an irreversible outcome.
The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.
If your family includes non-Muslims who may be making decisions, write the instruction down and give it to them now, not in the will.
General information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance depends entirely on the exact family circumstances. Confirm the Canadian position with a lawyer in your province and any religious ruling with a qualified scholar.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.
- Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
- Research — Cambridge Muslim College
- Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- What to do when someone dies — Government of Ontario
- Claim against sellers estate after death ontario — Treadstone Law
- Tax return for deceased person with no income canada — Treadstone Law
- Title still in deceased name selling property ontario — Treadstone Law
- Enforcing judgment deceased debtors estate ontario — Treadstone Law
- Accessing safety deposit box after death ontario — Treadstone Law
- Cra reassessment estate deceased taxpayer — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law