ARTICLES
Range of articles related to death and dying topics
Photo Credit: Peter Busby A Conversation About MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) With Karen Gelmon, MD FRCPC, Medical Oncologist (Retired from Oncology Practice), Professor of Medicine (UBC) and MAID Provider/Assessor (Vancouver Coastal Health) and Memorial Society BC Board Member, Verena Foxx. VF: What are MAID practitioners called, and which health professionals can fill this role? Dr KG: Speaking for Vancouver Coastal Health specifically, the MAID practitioners are called assessors and providers/prescribers. The persons who fill...
Thank you to NORBC for this article on natural organic reduction A lot of people will tell you that they’d love for their body to “return to the earth” after death. It’s a beautiful sentiment that evokes the idea of life coming full circle, with a final act that ensures that our corporeal form is folded back into nature while making as light of an impact on the environment as possible. But...
Natural Organic Reduction (aka human composting)
Thank you to NORBC for this article on natural organic reduction A lot of people will tell you that they’d love for their body to “return to the earth” after death. It’s a beautiful sentiment that evokes the idea of life coming full circle, with a final act that ensures that our corporeal…
Read More Medical Assistance in Dying in B.C.
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…
Read More 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…
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