Have you ever attended a funeral in Vancouver? Do wonder about other ways besides a headstone to memorialize a loved one? If you haven’t considered the various options, then you could be missing out on the best way to preserve your departed loved one’s memory.

Sometimes the memories in our head are not enough to sustain us after a loved one pases away. Does it help you to have a tangible place where you can go to remember your departed friends and family members?

If you’re interested in knowing more about preserving memories of lost loved ones, then you’ll want to invest 20 minutes for this edition of Forever in their Hearts, where host Erik Reynolds talks to Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver about the types of memorials and monuments that families choose to remember departed loved ones.

The city of Vancouver is no stranger to memorials. Metro Vancouver residents can dedicate a memorial park bench* or other item to honor a loved one. This interview is a chance to learn about other ways to preserve memories of a lost friend or family member.

Spontaneous Memorials around Metro Vancouver

This episode kicks off with a quick explanation about spontaneous memorials. Valerie explains what they are and what they offer to both those mourning a lost loved one and the community.

Spontaneous memorials are a necessary part of life in the Greater Vancouver area, and serve an important purpose in the grieving process.

If you aren’t sure how memorials along roadsides and other places here a tragedy occurred can help you come to terms with your grief, then a funeral director can help answer your questions.

How Headstones Work for Burials and Cremations

Next the conversation turns to headstones, and how they work for burials and cremations. During this episode, Valerie provides answers to these and other questions:

- Can cremation still have traditional graves with headstones?
- Does every cemetery allow the same kinds of memorials?
- Could a cremation with scattered remains still have a memorial?

Now ask yourself these two questions: Do I know how I want to be memorialized after I’m gone? Have I shared this information with my family? If you answered “No” to either or both of these questions, then it’s time to discuss your options with a Vancouver, BC funeral home.

Deciding Who Plans the Memorial for Your Lost Loved One

Then Valerie segues into the subject of who plans the memorial. With so many different options, trying to do everything by yourself can be intimidating, if not more than a little overwhelming.

Valerie offers some suggestions for people who can help you pick a memorial that fits the style and tastes of your departed loved one while staying within your family’s budget.

Preserving memories of departed loved ones doesn’t have to be a burden that you bear alone. What’s keeping you from contacting a Vancouver funeral chapel for a consultation?

The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing some final thoughts on the topic of the different ways that we can remember our departed friends and family members.

How Will Your Family Memorialize You?

Have you considered how your family will remember you when you’re gone? Does your family know your wishes? Are you ready to use funeral pre-planning to help ease some of the stress should the inevitable take place?

Listen to the entire podcast now, and then share your questions and comments about monuments, memorials, and other funeral-related topics below, where we can discuss them together.

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1

*http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/dedicate-a-park-bench-picnic-table-or-bicycle-rack.aspx