Does your family know about your final wishes? Have you take care of funeral pre-planning arrangements? Do you have all the information to decide on burial versus cremation? If you don’t have a plan in place for your final wishes, then you could be subjecting your family to stress when the time comes to plan for you.

Religious beliefs and laws about where someone wants their ashes scattered are just two things that could affect a loved one’s final wishes. Are you aware of everything that could affect yours?

If you’re interested in learning more about funeral traditions, then you’ll want to invest about 20 minutes to listen to this edition of Forever in their Hearts, where your host Erik Reynolds interviews Dale Martin, Jr., President of Martin Brothers Funeral Homes in Vancouver, about funeral traditions, including religious beliefs, burial versus cremation, and where a family can legally spread their loved one’s ashes.

The British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency reports that from 1986 to 2010, the number of cremations increased more than 20% while the number of burials dropped by nearly 22%. This interview is a chance to explore cremation and burial options, and determine which one of these options is right for you and your family.

Burials, Cremations, and Religious Beliefs

This episode starts off with a discussion about two popular funeral traditions, burials and cremations, and how they fit in with a person’s religious beliefs. Dale offers advice for how to determine what type of burial would be best for you and your family, and shares thoughts based on his own beliefs as well as beliefs associated with other major religions.

Then Dale focuses in on a frequently asked question about cremations: what are my options for a burial at sea? He explains what funeral traditions Martin Brothers Funeral Services offers to families, including special options for memorial services as well as offering tangible mementos that loved ones can take with them after the service ends.

If you haven’t shared funeral traditions that you’d like included with your final wishes, regarding burials, cremations, or your religious beliefs, then the funeral service your family plans for you may be very different from what you had in mind.

Learning the Details Associated with Cremations

Planning a cremation varies from planning a traditional burial. While some of the aspects may seem the same, fine details regarding cremations make all the difference. During the podcast listeners will hear Dale answer these questions on the topic:

- Are there limits on what I can do with cremated remains of a loved one?
- When do I need a permit to scatter my loved one’s ashes above ground?
- Are there permits involved for burying a loved one’s cremated ashes?
- Is my family allowed to keep the cremated remains in our home?
- What if I’m not emotionally ready to take cremated remains home?

Consider how much time your family has spent discussing funeral traditions they wish to have observed. Have you sat down to jot down things you want or don’t want regarding religious beliefs, or burials and cremations? If the answer is no then there’s no time like the present to get started.

Funeral Traditions throughout History

Next Dale segues into the topic of which one is more popular, burials or cremations. In the process of answering, he uses examples of Western history from the past century to show how values have changed among North Americans in regards to their funeral traditions.

Dale then shares statistics to back up the examples from history, and states that there’s nothing wrong with society preferring one method over an alternative as far as funeral traditions are concerned.

Prices regarding burials and cremations also drive society towards one method over another. The funeral chapel has all the information you need to plan a service that includes funeral traditions that reflect your religious beliefs with respect to your budget. If you are ready to take advantage of Martin Brothers Funeral Services pre-planning services you are invited to visit this page.

The episode wraps up with Dale sharing his thoughts about why society has started choosing one method over another when it comes to burials and cremations. Regardless of the reason, he reminds that it has to be a decision that is comfortable with you and your family.

Are You Ready to Share Your Final Wishes?

Do you know what funeral traditions you want included in your funeral service? Are you aware of everything available to you when preplanning funeral wishes to help your loved ones plan your service? Listen to the entire podcast now, and then if you have questions or comments we invite you to share them in the space below.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1

Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: .778.330.7633