I recently submitted an article for “We Can Die Better” e-magazine on alternative funeral practices, a topic that is close to my heart. I am thrilled to find out that they accepted the article and have published it for all to read. Here is an excerpt, “In many facets of our lives we experience the re-invention […]
Baby Boomers and the Death Industry
Following is an article recently published in the Globe And Mail on how the preferences and demands of baby boomers are affecting the funeral industry. While much of the information is accurate, I found it predictably biased because of the quoted sources which represent the two largest corporately owned funeral and cemetery businesses in Canada. In […]
“Howard’s End” by Vera Morgan
On a regular basis I find myself humbled by the clients I work with and in awe of how openly they welcome me into their world while they are grieving the death of a loved one. From time to time, those connections are even greater, leaving me with a feeling that I’m working with close friends […]
A Good Farewell
A friend sent me a link to a video the other day, adamant that I would want to share it with others and also warned me to have kleenex handy. She was right. I do want to share this with others. The video is an incredible farewell from family and friends to a young man […]
Cremation, Burial or Donate my Body to Science….hmmm
I received a call this week from a fellow asking questions about donating one’s body to science upon death. He had read an article in the Vancouver Sun by Randy Shore about the body donation program through UBC’s medical school. I wasn’t aware of the article so looked it up and had a read. Anytime articles are […]
Upcoming Death Cafes 2016, Vancouver and area
Death Cafes are being hosted all over the lower mainland and last night, I finally had my first Death Cafe experience in Maple Ridge. Given that I hadn’t been before, but had been snooping about on the internet, I had some preconceived ideas as to what the discussions would be and I wasn’t disappointed. The […]
….when you least expect it….
I was reminded by a personal experience today that memories of the important people in your life who have died will sneak up when you lease expect it and “bite you in the bum”. My advice, take a moment to cry, laugh, share a story or whatever helps and know that it’s “ok” and you’re […]
Celebrant or Clergy?
In my role as a funeral director I’m finding that more often than not when clients are considering who is the best person to lead the service, whether it be the Celebration of Life or a Memorial, they are looking to Celebrants to work with them, to guide and give structure to the service itself […]
Human Composting and The Urban Death Project, Seattle WA
It seems that every month now I’m hearing about another interesting new discussion surrounding the idea of alternative methods of disposing of human remains. Most of us are familiar with burial and flame-based cremation, with a growing realization that green burial and water-based cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, are also options, but how many of us have heard […]
Drop-in Bereavement Support Group in Burnaby
Creative Climate Counselling Group is pleased to offer an ongoing Drop-in Bereavement Support Group in Burnaby, open to all those whom have had a significant loss in their life. The first meeting of this group will take place as follows: on Monday, February 16, 2015 from 6:30 – 9:00PM Upcoming Sessions Monday, March 9, 2015 […]