Winnipeg’s Rising Cremation Rates

By Lee Barringer

Winnipeg’s cremation numbers continue to increase each year, and the Vital Statistics Agency of Manitoba reported in 2020 that 68% of Manitoban’s chose cremation, over earth burial or entombment.

I believe part of this change is because Canada is a relatively young country, and a proudly multicultural one. Winnipeg is comprised of many different faiths and belief systems from around the world, many bringing a long tradition of cremation practices with them.  Secondly, cremation offers families a much more affordable option to traditional earth burial.

We can see that all cultures naturally change over time, and I think these changes have contributed to Winnipeg’s rising cremation statistics. It is important to note however, that cremation is not an end in itself, - unlike earth burial.

What I mean by this, is that the act of cremation is a form of reductionism. After a cremation, we are left with what is commonly referred to as “ashes” or cremated remains. A grieving family will still need to select a meaningful way to inter or scatter these cremated remains.

Branch & Pyre Cremation Care

Winnipeg’s Simple, Direct Cremation Experts

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Pre-Planning Your Cremation Service

By Lee Barringer

Only when we start asking thoughtful questions, do we start to receive thoughtful answers. It is also the only way to start a meaningful conversation around the subject of death for most families, as this subject is usually taboo in most households.  Unless you have been in a crisis, it is not always easy to see the value of acknowledging a loved one’s life, in a way that reflects the beliefs and values of your family.

But whether you know it or not, there are emotional stages of grief we all go through, and they are: Denial. Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross) and they are universal responses to loss that transcend all cultures and all ethnicities.

Often, when someone is asked about their wishes after death, the response is "I don't want a funeral" this is in many cases is a knee jerk reaction to a bigger concern, which perhaps would be "I don't want to die!"  

The truth is, many people no longer want “funerals” nor go to “funeral homes”, instead they’d rather plan a Celebrations of Life. These creative events are for the living, and an opportunity to gather and say “Thank You” to their loved one.

Perhaps when asked about our wishes upon death, we could instead simply state our preference of disposition: for example, “I would like a simple, direct cremation.”

Then I would encourage anyone reading, that you leave the way in which your family want to acknowledge your life, - up to them! This way we do not deny those we love, one of life's most important rituals, a time for story telling, and most importantly, - the opportunity to say thank you.

Branch & Pyre Cremation Care

Winnipeg’s Simple, Direct Cremation Experts

branchandpyre.com

I Don’t Want a Funeral

By Lee Barringer

I have often heard these words in my thirty plus years of death care, and often my response is, “Then don’t have one.” Many people are uncomfortable with the word “Funeral”, and today we often prefer the term Memorial Service, Gathering or a Celebration of Life. 

It is in fact a new and more comfortable description of what we now do to honor our loved ones at the time of death. It is also important to note however, the difference between a funeral and memorial gathering.

A funeral is the observances held for the deceased usually before burial or cremation.  Where a Memorial Service or Celebration of Life, is most often the observances held for the deceased after burial or cremation, but much more often with the choice of cremation.

But words and their meanings are important, and not all deaths warrant a Celebration!  What I mean is that not every death is an opportunity for a joyous reflection of a good life, that has been well lived. We must also remember that there are tragic and sudden deaths, such as the loss of a child, or a death by accident, homicide, or suicide.  Not all deaths qualify for a celebratory event. Some are just honestly difficult, seem very unfair and change us forever.

Many Winnipeg families feel the “traditional funeral” and the funeral homes that furnish them have often failed to reflect the beliefs and values of a changing society. Which is why we often see the common phrase in obituary notices: “No funeral by request”

But let us remember that although we may no longer like the word funeral, nor it’s past associations. A gathering of family and friends was and is now arguably still an important time to acknowledge those that we have loved.

Today they are simply organized in a more creative and meaningful way, a way that will reflect both the beliefs and values of the family and the deceased. But this important ritual still allows us an opportunity to acknowledge a life lived, and the opportunity to say thank you and goodbye.

 Branch & Pyre Cremation Care

Winnipeg’s Simple, Direct Cremation Experts

branchandpyre.com