What is the value in viewing?

Viewing is an important time because it reinforces the reality of death. It may not be easy to do but that is okay. Viewing allows family and friends to see that their loved one is at rest and free from pain and discomfort. It gives us a peaceful memory to cherish.

Why is embalming recommended?

Embalming is important for maintaining the health and safety of the public and the funeral home staff. This procedure ensures the preservation of the body from the time of death until disposition and it allows us to create an acceptable physical appearance of the deceased for the visitation time. Certain regulations exist that makes embalming necessary if the body is to be conveyed by public transportation.

How do I get an Official Death Certificate?

British Columbia residents applying for an official death certificate must apply through a local Vital Statistics Agency. There is $27.00 charge for each Death Certificate.

What is a Funeral Director’s Statement of Death?

It is a document supplied by the funeral director that can be used as proof of death in most cases. It contains the name and age of the deceased, the place and date of death, and the name and address of the funeral service provider. It does not include the cause of death.

Are You Competitively Priced?

At Oliveira Funeral Services Ltd. We dedicate ourselves to serving families well. This not only means we strive to assist them in putting together services that will be meaningful to them, it also means we strive to do so in such away as to make things affordable and value added. When some one you love passes away, you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not you are getting the best price. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our fee and those of our competitors. We honor all Memorial Society Contracts.

How do you make funeral Preplanning?

It is not a difficult or complicated task. Simply call our office and make an appointment or come by for a tour and cup of coffee. There are no fees for preplanning consultation. We provide price quotations on all our products and services without cost or obligation. Preplanning can be made at our Funeral Home or in the privacy of your own home. Your wishes will be recorded in writing and retained on file until needed.

Who Preplans a funeral?

People of all ages.Family members or an executor who is responsible for the care of someone in a nursing home or extended care facility.Family members who are caring for someone terminally ill.Anyone can consider preplanning.

What are the advantages of making Prearrangements?

Peace of mind and the assurance that your wishes are recorded.Preplanning provides an opportunity to ask questions and to get clear and concise answers on all aspects of the funeral.Personal choices can be considered and economic decisions made without emotional stress.Relieves family members of difficult choices at time of death. Preplanning is a practical idea that makes sense.Funeral Preplanning is every bit apart of sensible estate planning as Making a Will is or signing a personal directive.

Can a Preplan funeral be prepaid?

Yes, it’s your choice.Based on the last five decades, we know the cost of cemetery and funeral arrangements will continue to increase. Prepaying allows the costs to be frozen at today’s prices.Payment can be made in installments.You can also Pre-plan without payment.

If I choose to Pre-pay my funeral what Prepayment options do I have?

With a Pre-Need Funeral Trust Plan.Payments can be made by single payment or up to 5 year installments.(with interest free Payments) The funeral home must deposit your funds in trust. The accrued interest growth is applied to any cost increase when the services are required.

What happens when a death occurs at home?

If the death occurs unexpectedly or suddenly, the family should immediately contact the local police and inform them. The Coroner’s Office will be notified by the police and a Coroner will come to the place of the death to investigate the death. The deceased will then be transported to the nearest hospital for further investigation. After their investigation has been completed, the deceased will be released into the care of the funeral home selected by the family.If the death has been anticipated and the deceased was under a physician’s care, it is not necessary to contact the police. The family should advise the attending physician of the death and have the doctor complete a medical certificate of death. The family can also contact a funeral home of their choice to arrange for the transport of the deceased to the funeral home. The funeral home staff will then proceed to the residence and transfer the body to the funeral home without delay.

What happens when a death occurs in a care facility?

If an anticipated death occurs in a care facility, the attending physician will be notified and asked to complete the medical certificate of death. After the physician has signed the medical certificate, the care facility will notify the selected funeral home and they will come promptly to the deceased’s room at the care facility and transport the deceased to the funeral home.The family will have many options to consider following the death of their loved one so it is wise to consult a funeral director and determine the needs and wishes of the family. Consultation with a funeral director prior to the time of death will provide the family with information that can ease some of the burden faced when a death occurs. It also allows the family to supply the care facility with the name of the desired service provider so that the hospital can contact the funeral home as soon as possible following the death.

What happens when a death occurs while away from home?

When a death occurs away from home, it is preferable to contact a funeral home in the area where you wish to have the funeral service and interment. It will be more cost effective if the funeral home deals directly with a funeral firm in the place of death, rather than the family making the arrangements. After contact with the family, the funeral provider can then proceed to the place of death, if it is within a reasonable distance, or they can arrange for a local funeral firm to complete the necessary preparations to have the deceased returned home. Once the family returns back to their home, the remainder of the funeral arrangements can then be made with the funeral service provider.

How Long Do You Have to Wait For Your Loved One To Be Cremated?

In BC, you will need to wait 48 hours before a deceased body can be cremated by law. This is because cremation is a final process, and you will not be able to determine the exact cause of death after the cremation is completed.

How Does The Cremation Process Work?

Most cremations take place in a crematory. After a body is prepared for cremation, it is placed in a casket and slid into the cremation chamber. Only one casket is permitted at a time. Once everything is in place, an operator begins the cremation process, and this usually takes between two to three hours. Here the temperature is raised to approximately 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and after a period of two to three hours, the physical remains are consumed by heat.

Can I Watch The Cremation Process?

This may be possible with sufficient notice. You can contact Oliveira Funeral Home for additional information on rates and requirements.

What Happens After The Cremation Process?

The cremated remains are carefully removed from the cremation chamber. The cremated remains are then cleared off all metallic articles and are then run through a processor. These remains are transferred to an urn. Urns are labelled correctly with proper identification to ensure they are not misplaced or misidentified. The remains are then handed over to the family.

Is Cremation Becoming More Common?

Cremation has become the more popular over the past 2 decades. It may be due to cultural or religious requirements. In comparison to burial, cremation may be a less expensive option. Some people view cremations as being a greener option than burial.

What Can You Do With The Cremated Remains?

There are several different things that people choose to do with the cremated remains. You can keep the urn in your home, scatter the cremated remains on land or water, bury it in a cemetery plot or any other option.

Is Scattering Cremated Remains Illegal in B.C?

In British Columbia, cremated remains do not come under the laws and regulations for burials or cremations. If you plan on scattering the cremated remains on somebody else's property, you will need prior permission. You may scatter the cremated remains on water but make sure that it is not a marine park.You may have questions about Cremating a loved one and we’ll try our best to answer some of them for you below. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at Info@oliveirafuneralhome.com.

6 Unique Ideas for Cremation Ashes – Honouring Your Loved One

August 31, 2026

Losing someone is never easy, and after cremation, many families struggle with what to do with their loved one’s ashes. You want to honour them in a meaningful way with something personal and special, but that doesn’t always mean the same thing to different people. The good news is there are many beautiful ways to say goodbye or hold on to a loved one’s ashes.

Here are six unique ideas that families are choosing today.

1. Keep Them Close to Your Heart with Memorial Jewellery

Memorial jewellery is an increasingly common yet sentimental way to keep a loved one close. A small amount of your loved one’s ashes goes into a specially designed pendant, ring, or bracelet. You wear it close to your heart every single day.

Memorial jewelry ranges from simple pieces to decorative designs with engraving or birthstones. Some families choose matching pieces so each person has something personal to keep. Because each piece uses only a small amount of ashes, it can be combined with another memorial idea.

2. A Living Memorial

Plant a tree or beautiful shrub with some of your loved one’s ashes mixed into the soil. As the tree grows, it becomes a living memorial. You can visit it, sit under it, and remember them.

Many families choose a tree that was special to their loved one. Maybe they loved cherry blossoms or oak trees. A garden memorial is beautiful because it grows and changes with the seasons, yet provides a lasting place to revisit favourite memories of your loved one.

3. Sky Lanterns or Ashes Scattered at Sea

Some families choose to release the ashes into nature, somewhere that was meaningful to the departed. Ashes scattered at sea let your loved one drift on the ocean they may have loved. Ashes scattered on a mountain might pay homage to someone who loved hiking and nature.
A memorial service can include the release of sky lanterns or ashes into the wind. It’s a beautiful, symbolic moment. Many find it peaceful and powerful.

For a person who enjoyed the outdoors, being released into nature can be symbolic of their final adventure.

4. Ashes Made into Glass or Diamonds

Some artisans can help transform ashes into beautiful memorial glass or even a real diamond. Companies use advanced technology to turn a small amount of ashes into a gemstone or glass keepsake.

A piece of memorial glass can be displayed at home without looking like a traditional urn. A stone can be set into jewellery or kept on its own. This can be a meaningful use for a small portion of the cremation ashes. The finished piece can also be passed down within the family.

5. Ceramic or Artistic Urns

For families who want to keep the ashes at home, today’s cremation urns go well beyond a standard box. Urns are available in understated, traditional, and contemporary designs, making it easier to choose something you are comfortable displaying at home.

Memorial urns can be made from wood, ceramic, marble, bronze, or biodegradable materials. They can include engraving, photographs, or custom artwork. Some families display the urn openly, while others create a quieter memorial space with photos and a few personal belongings.

Double urns are available for partners who want their ashes kept together. Keepsake urns can be used when ashes are divided among relatives. Artistic urns offer flexibility in how the memorial is displayed.

6. Cremation Ashes Launched Into Space – The Ultimate Tribute

For someone who followed space exploration or astronomy, several companies offer memorial spaceflight services. A small portion of the ashes will be carried on a flight that returns to Earth, placed into orbit, or sent farther into space.

It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real. This can be the perfect tribute for dreamers, adventurers, and people who thought big.
Combining Ideas

You don’t have to choose just one idea. Many families split the ashes several ways. Keep some in memorial jewelry. Plant a tree with some. Create a piece of memorial glass. Have a scattering ceremony with the rest.

This way, you Honour your loved one in multiple meaningful ways. Different family members can have something personal that connects them to their loved one.

Give Yourself Time to Decide

There is no need to make an immediate decision about cremation ashes. They can be kept safely for months or years before choosing a memorial option. Waiting does not make the decision less meaningful. Think about the places and routines that mattered to the person, and ask family members what would bring them comfort. The right idea may become clearer with time.

Honour Their Memory in a Way That Feels Right

Cremation services give families flexibility. Ashes can be kept together, divided, scattered, incorporated into a keepsake, or placed in a cemetery. The best choice is the one that suits the person and their family. These cremation ashes ideas are a starting point and can be adapted to suit your family.

Discuss Your Options With Oliveira Funeral Home

Oliveira Funeral Home supports families with cremation services and memorial planning. Our team can explain the practical considerations behind each option and what may work for your family. If you have questions about cremation, memorial jewelry, urns, or another type of memorial, contact Oliveira Funeral Home and we’ll help guide you through your options.

Also Read – Legal Guidelines for Ash Spreading in British Columbia