Canadian guest cremated in Bhutan after fatal cycling accident

A 67-year-old man from Canada, Stuart Loewen, passed away on 5th May in Bhutan while cycling along the Trans Bhutan Trail.

Stuart reportedly tripped and fell from his bicycle before plunging over the edge of a cliff along the trail. 

He was travelling with his guide and two friends when the incident occurred a few kilometres before the trail connected to the road descending towards Punakha.

His funeral and cremation in Thimphu at the Hejo crematorium on 9th May was organized by His Majesty ‘s Secretariat (HMS).

His funeral was attended by his son, Cory Loewen, daughter, Val Loewen, younger brother, John Loewen, and two friends Mark and Daniel along with representatives from His Majesty’s Secretariat.

Stuart’s 36-year-old daughter, Val Loewen, described her father as someone who deeply loved nature, was very outgoing, and enjoyed talking to people.

She shared that he had a background as a scientist, and was naturally curious about how things worked.

“He liked learning about how things worked and understanding them. I think that’s why he liked to travel so much,” she said.

She said, “He taught me how to ride a bicycle and mountain bike. He even brought me my first bike, which I still have.”

She shared that her father believed in reincarnation, and had also expressed in his will, his wish to be cremated, with his ashes placed in different natural areas.

“I was very afraid when I found out that he was alone here, but I came to know that he is not alone, and there are a lot of other people here,” she said.

She and her family members expressed deep gratitude to His Majesty The King and His Majesty’s representatives for the support extended to them during this difficult time.

“He will be loved and missed, and in his memory, I will come back to Bhutan,” she said.

Stuart’s son Corey shared that Stuart had spent most of his life cycling, and had also taught him how to ride a bicycle while growing up.

“Travelling down the trails is something he enjoyed throughout his life,” he said.

Stuart had previously spent two years cycling in Nepal, which was how he first came to learn about Bhutan. This year marked his first visit to the country.

Corey said the family was deeply grateful for the support they received following the incident.

“To be laid to rest this way, my father would absolutely love it. It feels very right,” he said.

He added, “It’s not just one or two people, but a whole Bhutanese community coming together.”

The friends, Mark and Daniel, said they met Stuart through mountain biking.

Mark shared that he had been Stuart’s friend for almost 15 years, while Daniel said he first met him around 30 years ago through mountain biking, and the two had shared many adventures over the years.

Daniel described the incident as a “disaster” and an unfortunate moment in time.

Referring to a picture of the trail, Daniel showed the exact section where Stuart reportedly tripped and fell over the edge. He added that Stuart’s bicycle caught on bushes as he went over.

“On that day, Mark and I were ahead, while Stuart and our guide were coming from behind, just a few metres away,” he said.

During the incident, their guide immediately jumped down to search for Stuart, where he was found with no vital signs. By the time the medical team arrived and assessed him, he was pronounced dead due to head trauma.

The two friends described Stuart as a deeply adventurous person who was always the first to join any expedition and often encouraged others to take part.

Daniel shared that just a day before his passing, they had been discussing how they would like to be treated after death. 

He said Stuart had expressed a wish to be buried or cremated in an outdoor funeral park.

“Stuart had a long-standing connection with yoga and Buddhism,” Daniel added.

 The deceased’s younger brother, John Loewen, said he had come to bid farewell to his brother, who had lived a full life through mountain biking and adventure.

“It is sad, but it is a great blessing that Stuart was able to live; his life was full,” he said. He added, “To celebrate his life with the Bhutanese people, the place he learned to love, and his spirit being released here.”

John said that he and other family members were deeply saddened, but also felt fortunate to have been able to experience the moment in Bhutan.

He shared that Stuart was 10 years older than him, but remained extremely fit, often appearing much younger, so much so that people would assume he was in his mid-40s.

John said Stuart had developed his passion for cycling more than 30 to 40 years ago. 

He added that some of Stuart’s friends had visited Bhutan last year, which inspired him to plan this trip.

He further shared that another of Stuart’s passions was yoga, and he would spend a month or two every year at an ashram in India.

John said, “Stuart was not religious but he was very spiritual. He did not identify himself as Christian as we grew up with it, but he respected Christian values. He was very interested in Buddhism.”

John also shared that the family had initially considered repatriating Stuart’s body to Canada.

“We were talking with the Bhutanese government and were informed that any country further than Bangkok would need an escort,” he said.

He added that after discussions, the family reconsidered their options.

“We were thinking about how to manage that, and eventually we thought that if we can go as far as Bangkok, why don’t we come to Bhutan, have the final rites here, and then bring the ashes back. It would be easier for us as international travellers,” he said.

He shared that, in his home country, a funeral would typically involve a small cremation process carried out at very high temperatures.

“Looking at how Stuart was, being with the Bhutanese community, yes, this would be something he would have loved,” he said.

He added that the family members back in Canada are also deeply grateful and comforted by the support they have received.

“I am extremely honoured by the generosity and support from the representatives of His Majesty The King and the beautiful Bhutanese community. We are grateful to experience this,” he said.

John also reflected on Stuart’s history with cycling accidents. He said Stuart had once broken his neck and survived a serious injury.

“He lived through that, and the doctors fused his vertebrae together. Only after they removed one set did he regain mobility,” he said.

John noted that Stuart had travelled and cycled across about 10 countries during his lifetime.

He added that following cremation, there would not only be ashes, but also titanium from his spine, dental implants, and a plate in his hip.

John also recalled another incident where Stuart fell from an electric scooter and later woke up with new titanium in his shoulder.

“Stuart would joke that after cremation, a lot of titanium could be found, and it could be turned into jewellery or given to his mountain biking friends as a memory, so that a piece of him would be with them on every ride. But ultimately, it is up to his children to decide, and use it as a source of comfort and joy,” he said.

He said, “We are inspired and loved by him, and hope to cycle with him again. He is now with our mom and dad.”

In an earlier interview with North Shore Mountain Biking, Stuart had said that his passion for cycling began at the age of six.

Today, as the world remembers Stuart as an adventurous spirit, the Akhanda Yoga Ashram in India recalls him as part of their family for over 20 years, where he was known as “Abhay Anand.”

The ashram remembers Stuart as a core board member of Helping Hands of India, where he supported efforts to help children gain access to education.

Stuart Loewen’s final journey in Bhutan reflected a life defined by adventure and curiosity. 

Remembered by his family, friends, and communities across countries, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness and a lifelong passion for cycling and exploration. 

In Bhutan, his farewell became a meaningful tribute to a life fully lived.