Unlike a traditional funeral, a memorial service is a gathering where a casket is not present (although the urn with the cremated remains may be on display). A memorial service can be held weeks or even months after the death.


A memorial service can be held in a church, the funeral home or a community hall, or somewhere of importance to the deceased and family. There is usually music, selected readings, and a eulogy. Memorial services can be further personalized as a celebration of life.


Memorial Service Ideas


Our experience has shown us that many families want more than a traditional funeral. It can be done by bringing more of the personality and lifestyle of the deceased into the arrangements. By displaying photographs or staging the event around a favourite pastime, a memorial service can become more personal and meaningful.


If a personalized memorial service suits the needs of your family, we suggest you consider the following questions:

  • What did your loved one like to do?
  • What were they like as an individual?
  • What was their profession and how did that shape their life?
  • Was your loved one spiritual?
  • Were they proud of their cultural or ethnic heritage? 


We're Here to Advise, Assist, and Guide You


Using the above five questions as our guide, we will spend the time to help create a fitting memorial service for your loved one. Please call us to learn the details of our memorial service planning process.


Why a Memorial Service?


Rather than opting to do things "the same old way," many families want to celebrate the life of a loved one. Many funeral service professionals see this change as one of the many contributions to social change made by  "Baby Boomers." The National Funeral Directors Association notes, "As baby boomers age and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves. They make funeral choices based on values that are different from previous generations. Baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make them meaningful." If you desire to make the funeral for a loved one more engaging and personally meaningful, a celebration of life may be the perfect concept to build on.


How Does a Celebration of Life Differ from a Traditional Funeral?


As mentioned on the page Traditional Funeral Services, four components make up the conventional approach to funerals:

  1. A Visitation
  2. The Funeral Service
  3. A Committal Service
  4. The Funeral Reception


A traditional funeral then is a series of events; it's a ritualized process where the deceased, and the attendees, pass from one social status to another; a process where the torn fabric of a family and community is repaired. According to the online article "Six Characteristics of Helpful Ceremonies," by William Hoy, Director of Grief Connect, this is done by including:

  • Symbols of shared significance intended to communicate beyond words
  • Ritual actions shared by a group of individuals
  • Gathered people providing comfort to one another
  • Connection to heritage through recognized readings
  • Increased physical contact between attendees provide comfort
  • Witnessing the transition of the body through burial or cremation


In knowing these characteristics, you can design a Celebration of Life as unique as the life of your loved one. 

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Can I Get A Biodegradable Casket In Manitoba?

By Richard Rosin • August 29, 2026
Yes, You Can Get Biodegradable Caskets in Winnipeg When I originally wrote about biodegradable caskets back in 2020, natural and green burial options were still relatively unfamiliar to many people in Winnipeg. A lot has changed since then. Awareness and interest in natural green burial have continued to grow. In June 2025, the City of Winnipeg’s Brookside Cemetery became the first cemetery in Manitoba to receive Green Burial Provider Certification from the Green Burial Society of Canada. And in June 2026, we were proud to become the first funeral company in Manitoba to be certified by the Society as a Green Burial Funeral Service Provider. For families who want a more environmentally conscious approach to burial, there are now more options to consider. What Is Available? There are many choices, but these are three of the most common: Caskets Natural caskets can be made from sustainable wood or woven materials such as tree branches. They are made without metal handles or hinges and use natural or organic finishes. Burial Trays These simple carriers, made from sustainable wood, offer another option for natural burial. Burial Shrouds A burial shroud can be as simple as a natural cotton wrapping placed in or on a casket or burial tray. There are also specially designed shrouds with reinforced strapping that allow pallbearers to carry the person and lower them into the grave. We’ve also worked with families who have provided their own shrouds. These products can be purchased online, locally, or through a funeral director who offers environmentally friendly funeral and burial options. Choosing a Natural Burial Product Whenever possible, I like to support local options. Here in Winnipeg, we are fortunate to have The Village Casketmaker , which has been making caskets and urns locally for more than 20 years. We also purchase natural cotton and make our own simple burial shrouds. Another option we support is Mourning Cloak Shrouds , which creates shrouds designed so they can also be used to carry the person. What Is Right for You? There isn’t one natural burial product that is right for everyone. You may be thinking about the environmental impact, where the product is made, the materials used, cost, or simply what feels most appropriate for you or your family. That’s part of what we’re here to help you work through. If you have questions about biodegradable caskets, burial trays, shrouds or green burial options in Winnipeg, give us a call at 204-219-1126 or email richard@richardrosin.ca . We’re here when you need us.
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By Richard Rosin • March 21, 2026
Green Burial in Winnipeg: A Sustainable, Meaningful End-of-Life Choice As the world gets warmer, many of us are trying to reduce our impact cutting energy use, composting, and advocating for change. But there’s one question most people haven’t considered: What will your environmental legacy be after you’re gone? For many families in Winnipeg, that question is leading them to explore a more natural, meaningful option: Green Burial. What Is Green Burial? Simply put, Green Burial is the way people cared for their dead long before the modern funeral industry existed. It’s a return to simplicity. A return to nature. Green Burial reflects your values your desire to reduce your impact on the earth, even in death. It allows the body to return naturally to the soil, continuing the cycle of life that has been practised across cultures for thousands of years. The 5 Core Principles of Green Burial Green Burial is guided by five key principles: No embalming, Direct earth burial Ecological restoration & conservation plans Simple memorialization Optimized land use These principles ensure that the process is as gentle on the environment as it is meaningful for families. Common Misconceptions About Green Burial Some people believe Green Burial is: A new or fringe idea Only for environmentalists A lower-cost, “less meaningful” option A poor use of land Less environmentally friendly than cremation The truth is quite different. Green Burial is actually one of the oldest traditions in human history , practised across cultures for generations. Today, it’s growing in popularity because it aligns with the values of people from all walks of life and want their final act to reflect how they lived. And for many families, it becomes a deeply meaningful way to honour a loved one, rooted in simplicity, presence, and connection. Green Burial Options in Winnipeg In Canada, the Green Burial Society of Canada certifies funeral homes and cemeteries that meet strict environmental standards. There are currently certified sites across the country, including right here in Winnipeg. Brookside Cemetery officially certified its Green Burial section in June 2025, making it possible for local families to choose this sustainable option close to home. Why It Matters: Your Environmental Legacy Most people don’t realize they have one final opportunity to make an impact. Your Environmental Legacy doesn’t stop when your heart does. There is still one more decision to make, one more way to reflect your values, care for your community, and protect the earth for future generations. Start the Conversation If Green Burial speaks to you, the next step is simple: Ask questions. Have conversations. Make a plan. Because the best decisions are made with clarity not in a moment of urgency. Questions about Green Burial? Richard Rosin, Winnipeg’s Friendliest Undertaker Call 204-219-1126 or email us to learn more.
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