ARTICLES
Range of articles related to death and dying topics
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 a dead body. Here in British Columbia, we have two choices when it comes to disposition: cremation or burial. When...
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 Society of BC. I was intrigued by the term ‘deathcare’ to denote the planning and provision of services post-death. It...
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 At Home Deaths
In this article, we explore what happens when a death occurs at home under different circumstances. Unexpected Home Death When a death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly at home, the typical procedure is to call emergency services (9-1-1). Police and ambulance services will attend the scene. There is also the option to call BC Coroners Services…
Read More Green Burials
We are grateful to Nicola Finch for her enlightening article on green burials. Photo credited to ‘Cathy Valentine, Salt Spring island Natural Cemetery’ It is not going to be everyone’s choice, nor should it be. What happens to our bodies once we’re dead is personal. Conventional burial and flame cremation have been the disposition…
Read More Nidus: BC Resource for Personal Planning
We are pleased to profile Nidus with an article written by Audrey Jun, Nidus Executive Director. Nidus is a BC-based, non-profit charitable organization that provides education, support and assistance to British Columbians with personal planning for incapacity, end-of-life, and other support needs. Nidus enables seniors and other adults to plan for future incapacity, and also…
Read More Selecting an Executor – Does it matter who you choose?
This article is reprinted with permission from the Cooperative Memorial Society in Alberta Selecting an Executor – Does it matter who you choose? By Yvonne Martin-Morrison Executor considerations may not be top of mind for most people when they are drafting their wills and estate plans. It is understandable when many are not aware of…
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