Agassiz

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.