ARTICLES

Range of articles related to death and dying topics

A quiet scene of a light grey gest book on a wooden table, a patterned carpet in the background, and foliage in the foreground

Visiting the Crematorium: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

August 21, 2025
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...
Read More
a photo of a man and woman's hands reading a document

Options for Appointing an Executor

May 12, 2025
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 the estate. An estate refers to all the money, assets and property owned by a person, as well as any...
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…
Read More

Consumer Protection In The Funeral Industry

Consumer protection in the funeral industry We are please to share this article by BC Consumer Protection about their mandate as it relates to the funeral sector. Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in the province. For example, they licence and regulate travel agencies, payday…
Read More