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Funeral & Cremation Services in Abbotsford
Affordable, transparent cremation and funeral care for Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley — available 24/7.
About Alternatives in Abbotsford
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services provides affordable, all-inclusive cremation and funeral options for families in Abbotsford, BC and throughout the Fraser Valley. Founded in 1992, Alternatives is a Canadian-owned provider committed to transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our Simple Cremation service starts at $1,999.65 and includes transportation, the cremation process, and a basic urn. We also offer Celebration of Life gatherings, Witness Cremation, full funeral services, and green burial options. Our licensed funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and serve families in Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Langley, Mission, and surrounding Fraser Valley communities.
Abbotsford Support
Care Without Limits
We're here to help, every step of the way. Whether you're planning ahead or need immediate assistance, our team is available to guide you with care, understanding, and attention to detail.
Celebrate Life at Local Venues
Find unique, local spaces perfect for honouring your loved ones.
Matsqui Community Hall – 33676 St Olaf Ave, Abbotsford
Located in the beautiful Matsqui Prairie of British Columbia, the hall is owned and operated by the Matsqui Prairie Community Association, which is comprised of volunteers from the community. The Association is a not for profit organization whose goals are to maintain the community hall for the use and pleasure of the community. Here at Matsqui Community Hall, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place for all.
The Greenhouse Venue – 5124 Emmerson Rd, Abbotsford
The Greenhouse is a whimsical new venue nestled in a flower garden, next to a babbling brook on Sumas Mountain. The glass ceiling allows for plenty of natural light while the adjacent wood alcove offers a homey cabin ambiance. In summer, the windows open for a cool breeze and in winter, the space boasts a cozy wood burning stove which keeps the room quite toasty.
Local Cemeteries
Discover our guide to local cemeteries, each offering a serene and respectful environment to remember loved ones.
Aberdeen Cemetery – 28417 Fraser Highway, Abbotsford
This modest cemetery is located about east of Aldergrove, at 28417 Fraser Highway. Traditionally, Aberdeen served the community of Aldergrove in the Township of Langley as well as residents on the Abbotsford side of the municipal border.
Municipal Cemetery
South Poplar Mennonite Cemetery – 721 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford
Located in the heart of Abbotsford, British Columbia, South Poplar Mennonite Cemetery stands as a historic and serene final resting place.
Private Cemetery
Our Licensed Funeral Directors
At Alternatives, our team is committed to guiding and supporting families with genuine compassion every step of the way.
Andre Carelse
Director of Family Care, Licensed Funeral Director
Andre joined Alternatives in October 2018, as Director of Family Care of our Funeral Home and Crematorium Operations.
Born and raised in South Africa, Andre was privileged to be integrated into the family funeral home at a young age. After graduating in 1995 it was only natural for Andre to continue serving families in a profession that he finds fulfilling.
Andre and his wife Elaine owned and operated 2 funeral homes in South Africa prior to emigrating to Canada.
In 2008 together with their 2 young children, Andre and his family settled in Salmon Arm, BC where he continued serving families in the funeral profession. Due to international licensing requirements; in 2009 Andre completed his 2-year apprentice program obtaining licences in funeral directing and embalming. Andre has an entrepreneurial vision; and as society evolves he is constantly searching for alternative ways to better serve families.
Andre has great aspirations for the funeral profession. Leading a team of professionals keeps him motivated and committed to ensuring that families receive service of the highest standards. Andre has been drawn to the founding principals of Alternatives, ensuring that families continue to have all the options all the time.
Andre and his family enjoy travelling and spending time along the West Coast and in the beautiful BC mountains.
Andre joined Alternatives in 2018.
Amanda Hanscom
Apprentice Funeral Director
Amanda began her career in the funeral profession in 2005, starting in an administrative role and steadily growing into her current position as an Apprentice Funeral Director. With many years of experience serving families, she brings a caring, compassionate, and thoughtful approach to every aspect of her work.
She is deeply committed to supporting families during their most difficult moments and finds great meaning in being able to guide them with kindness, patience, and respect. Known for her big heart and genuine desire to serve others, she strives to ensure each family feels heard, comforted, and well cared for.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, collecting sea glass, and making meaningful memories with her family. Family is extremely important to her and continues to inspire the empathy and dedication she brings to her role each day.
Amanda joined Alternatives in 2023.
Ännika Anderson de Ángel
Licensed Funeral Director
Annika is a dedicated funeral service professional who found her calling unexpectedly while working toward medical school. With a background in psychology and kinesiology, she brings a unique, compassionate perspective to supporting families during their most challenging moments. Though her path to funeral service was unplanned, she is deeply fulfilled by the opportunity to provide comfort and care to those in need. Outside of work, Annika enjoys baking, crocheting, and hitting the open road on her motorcycle. Her diverse interests and empathetic nature reflect her commitment to serving others, both in her professional and personal life.
Annika joined Alternatives in 2021.
Carolyn Cizmok
Licensed Funeral Director
Carolyn began her career in the funeral profession in 2022 at Alternatives. Starting in an administrative role she passionately grew into her current position as a Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer. She is dedicated to supporting families with compassion & respect. She values ensuring every service uniquely reflects the life and wishes of their loved one and family. With her empathetic nature, she considers it an honour to serve families and provide meaningful care during such hard times. Outside of work she enjoys gaming, spending quality time with friends, art & travelling.
Gaymond Wong
Licensed Funeral Director
Born and raised in Vancouver, Gaymond is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and has a degree in History and Political Science. He has worked in the funeral profession for over 25 years.
Joining the Alternatives team in May of 2016, Gaymond has an amazing personality that makes everyone around him feel welcome. He has been a valuable addition to the company and families we serve. When not serving others, his focus is on a wide selection of popular music and trivia, along with a fondness for non-fiction.
Gaymond joined Alternatives in 2016.
Jesus Hernandez
Apprentice Funeral Director
Originally from St. George, Utah, Jesus Angel Hernandez is fluent in Spanish and brings a deep sense of compassion and care to his role in funeral service. Before joining the profession, he spent six years as a high school educator. However, after experiencing the loss of his grandfather and uncle in 2021, he was profoundly impacted by the care and support provided by two funeral directors, Gaymond and Annika. Their guidance and compassion inspired him to change his career path.
Now, Jesus has the privilege of working alongside them, offering families the same sense of closure that meant so much to his own. As a husband and new father, he understands the importance of family and honouring loved ones with care and dignity. His ability to connect with people, his background in education, and his bilingual skills allow him to serve families with understanding, empathy, and professionalism.
Jesus joined Alternatives in 2024.
Kristi Olson
Licensed Funeral Director
Kristi started her career with Alternatives as an administrator and worked her way towards becoming a licensed funeral director. With over five years of experience in the profession, Kristi offers support and guidance when families need it most. With a kind, calm approach, she makes sure every family feels comfortable and understood as they honour their loved ones.
Kristi joined Alternatives in 2019.
Lisa Hodgkinson
Licensed Funeral Director
With 15 years of experience in the funeral profession, including five years as a licensed funeral director, Lisa is devoted to providing compassionate and empathetic care to families during their most challenging times. A proud graduate of the Canadian College of Funeral Service in 2020, Lisa has consistently focused her career on helping and serving families with the utmost care, respect, and professionalism.
Drawn to the funeral profession out of a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Lisa’s caring nature and empathetic personality ensure that every family she serves feels supported and valued. Her dedication to providing comfort and understanding helps ease the journey through loss for those in her care.
Acknowledging the emotional demands of her profession, Lisa places great importance on self-care and balance. She finds renewal and inspiration through traveling and cherishing quality time with her family, enabling her to maintain well-being and continue offering exceptional service to the families she serves.
Lisa joined Alternatives in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Services in Abbotsford
Common questions from families in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.
- How much does a cremation cost in Abbotsford, BC?
- Our Simple Cremation service is priced at $1,999.65, all-inclusive with taxes. This covers transportation of the deceased into our care, the cremation process, all required documentation, and a basic urn. There are no hidden fees. Additional services such as a Celebration of Life, obituary notices, or extra certified death certificates are available at clearly listed prices. We serve Abbotsford families from our location in nearby Aldergrove.
- Do you offer funeral services in Abbotsford?
- Yes. Alternatives provides a full range of funeral and cremation services to families in Abbotsford, BC. Our offerings include Simple Cremation, Witness Cremation, Celebration of Life ceremonies, traditional funeral services, and graveside and green burial. Our licensed funeral directors can arrange services at local Abbotsford venues, churches, or community halls.
- Can I plan a funeral or cremation in advance in Abbotsford?
- Absolutely. Pre-planning locks in today's pricing and relieves your family of difficult decisions during a time of grief. You can pre-arrange any of our services, including Simple Cremation, and your funds are held in trust until they are needed. Contact us at (604) 857-5779 or start arranging online.
- What cemeteries are available in Abbotsford?
- Abbotsford has several municipal and private cemeteries, including Hazelwood Cemetery, Aberdeen Cemetery, Mt. Lehman Cemetery, Musselwhite Cemetery, Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, and South Poplar Mennonite Cemetery. Our team can help you coordinate burial arrangements at any of these locations as part of your funeral plan.
- What should I do when a death occurs in Abbotsford?
- Call us at (604) 857-5779 any time, day or night. We will arrange transportation and guide you through the next steps. For a detailed overview, visit our A Death Has Occurred resource page, which covers what to expect and what documents you may need.
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