ARTICLES
Range of articles related to death and dying topics
Thank you to Alex Muir, Chair, Metro Vancouver Chapter, Dying With Dignity Canada for his illuminating presentation on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) at our Annual General Meeting, 2025. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has been legal in Canada since June 2016. It is legislated under federal law as an exemption to the Criminal Code. However, because it falls under health care, it is administered provincially. The BC Ministry of Health website provides a good description of what MAID is,...
Tucked quietly behind trees and businesses, the tan wood-frame building has housed Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services since 1994. Included within that organization is Society’s First Alternative Services, which provides services exclusively for Memorial Society members. Upon arrival, our 3 person Memorial Society team was welcomed inside by apprentice funeral director Jesus Hernandez, whose warm presence set the tone for the visit. We were soon joined by directors Tyrel Burton and Andre Carelse who guided...
Visiting the Crematorium: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Tucked quietly behind trees and businesses, the tan wood-frame building has housed Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services since 1994. Included within that organization is Society’s First Alternative Services, which provides services exclusively for Memorial Society members. Upon arrival, our 3 person Memorial Society team was welcomed inside by apprentice funeral director Jesus Hernandez, whose warm…
Read More Options for Appointing an Executor
The Memorial Society receives inquiries from members about what to do when there is no one suitable in their life to appoint as the executor of their will. Here is a brief overview. When a person dies and leaves a valid will, it is the responsibility of the executor named in the will to administer…
Read More HAPPY SPRING – Cleaning!
Spring is a season of renewal—an ideal time to refresh your important life documents. Just as you tidy your home, reviewing and updating your end-of-life plans ensures everything is current and accessible. Here’s a quick guide: 1. REVIEW YOUR WILL Major life changes—marriage, divorce, new family members, or loss of loved ones – can affect…
Read More Hindu End-of-Life Beliefs and Practices
Hindu End-of-Life Beliefs and Practices As part of our series on diverse cultural beliefs and practices on death and dying, we are grateful to the Sri Sadashiva Subramaniya Swamy Temple Foundation for an enlightening article on Hinduism. For more information, visit https://www.subramaniyaswamytemple.ca/ In Hinduism, beliefs and practices surrounding the end of life are deeply rooted…
Read More Alkaline Hydrolysis i.e. Aquamation
Alkaline Hydrolysis i.e. Aquamation Thank you to AquamationBC Coalition for this informative article on Alkaline Hydrolysis. This article re-posted from January 2023. As a member of the Memorial Society, you are likely someone who has already given some thought to your own final disposition. ‘Disposition’ is just a fancy way of saying legally caring for…
Read More Reflections on Deathcare Superconference 2024
Reflections on Deathcare Superconference 2024 Peter Toppings, Executive Director, Memorial Society of BC I had the opportunity to attend the Deathcare Superconference in Seattle this past September. It was organized by a number of partners, including the Funeral Consumers Alliance, the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and the People’s Memorial Association, Washington’s equivalent to the Memorial…
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