Our Team

Having been raised in a household with a family business in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tyrel started to work in the family business on weekends from a young age. He appreciated the hard work and dedication it takes to manage and grow a successful family venture and it’s always been his dream to do the same.

In 2004, Tyrel took a sabbatical from pursuing his dream to be in business for himself in a family business. He knew in order to be successful in business, it would be important to obtain a formal education & foundation in owning and operating a business. Shortly after completing his studies at the University of Manitoba, Tyrel moved to Vancouver in 2006 and enrolled in the Chartered Accountant program at one of the largest accounting firms in Canada.

After practicing as a Chartered Accountant for a number of years, Tyrel felt that the “corporate” environment of a large international accounting firm lacked the personal touch he was used to while working at his family’s business in Winnipeg.

So, following his dream, Tyrel decided to search out new opportunities. Through family, he was introduced to the founder of Alternatives in 2012. He felt an instant connection to the “family feel” and founding principles of Alternatives and knew then that his career path was about to change.  By mid-2013 Tyrel had joined Alternatives as Managing Director.

On Tuesday, August 1st, 2017, while celebrating Alternatives 25th anniversary, Tyrel purchased the companies and is the new owner of Alternatives.

When he does find time outside the office, he enjoys travelling with his wife, Laine, and exploring his home community in North Vancouver. 

Tyrel joined Alternatives in 2013.

Lawrence G. Little, founder of Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services® (the new name for Personal Alternative® Funeral Services), has a distinguished 54-year career in the British Columbia funeral industry. Lawrence began his apprenticeship in the funeral business in 1971.  After completing a two-year apprenticeship and Mortuary College, Lawrence received his Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Trades Qualification for "Funeral Directing and Embalming" and was issued his license by the Province of B.C.

In 1980, Lawrence began a six-year term as a Director of the British Columbia Funeral Association and served as Chairman of the Professional Education Committee, the Public Education Committee and Chairman of the Management Committee.  Little has designed and conducted numerous funeral service training seminars and workshops throughout B.C., as well as international seminars for the International Order of the Golden Rule, an affiliation of funeral homes world wide.

Throughout his career, Lawrence has received several "Service Awards" for his contribution to funeral service and has served on numerous government and legislative Advisory Boards spanning his career. Early in 1987, Lawrence joined a large independent funeral company as their Regional Manager, overseeing the operation of eight funeral home locations, a crematorium, florist shop and monument company.  In 1989, the company was sold to a funeral conglomerate based in the United States.

August 1, 1992, Lawrence established Personal Alternative Funeral Services® to provide consumers throughout the entire Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley with a comfortable, affordable and common-sense alternative to the escalating costs found in traditional funeral homes and Memorial Societies. 

In 2009, Lawrence was elected to the Board of Directors of the prestigious International Chicago based Cremation Association of North America and served 3 years as a Director of the Board.  British Columbia has the largest cremation rate (nearly 90%) of any jurisdiction in North America.

In 2011, Lawrence rebranded Personal Alternative Funeral Services® to Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services®. Lawrence sold Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services® on its 25th anniversary - August 1, 2017.

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.

Adrene joined Alternatives in 2020.

Alika joined Alternatives in 2023.

Lenny doesn’t just provide aftercare—he provides fur-ever aftercare. As our gentle, people-loving consultant, he specializes in quiet companionship, warm snuggles, and the occasional playful distraction when needed. His keen intuition and calm demeanor make him a perfect listener, while his goofy antics ensure no one leaves without at least one chuckle. Lenny’s philosophy? 'Grief is heavy, but a dog’s love is light.'

At the heart of my work as an administrator and client care specialist is a deep commitment to helping families during one of life’s most difficult times. I find purpose in creating a space where families feel cared for, respected, and understood. What drew me to this profession is the opportunity to offer compassion, support, and clarity through the process of end-of-life care. I take great pride in guiding families through every step with empathy and respect. Each family is unique, and I strive to ensure their loved one’s memory is treated with dignity. Being part of their healing journey is incredibly meaningful—and it reminds me daily why I’m proud to do what I do.

Alissa joined Alternatives in 2023.

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.

David joined Alternatives in 2022.

Dwayne was born and raised in Delisle, Saskatchewan and began his retail career in a well established men’s apparel store and then at The Bay in Saskatoon where he developed a sound and disciplined business ethic. He later moved throughout Western Canada, holding senior management positions in Woodward’s, Eaton’s and again at The Bay, this time in Edmonton and then settled in British Columbia in 1991. Once in British Columbia, he was recruited by a large national retail clothing chain as Western Regional Manager, overseeing the operations of 37 stores between Vancouver Island and Winnipeg. 

Dwayne joined Alternatives in 2007.

Erin joined Alternatives in 2025.

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.

Hola, soy Hipólito Reyes, originario de Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México, y residente de Vancouver, Columbia Británica desde 1997. A lo largo de los años, he tenido el privilegio de formar parte de esta comunidad diversa y vibrante, y también he visto la gran necesidad de apoyo y orientación que enfrentan muchas familias, especialmente dentro de la comunidad latina, al atravesar la pérdida de un ser querido.

Mi vocación surgió en 2021, tras el fallecimiento de mi madre. En ese momento, me sentí perdido sin saber por dónde empezar, hasta que fui guiado con empatía por el equipo de Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services. Esa experiencia marcó mi vida y me impulsó a dedicarme a ayudar a otras familias a transitar estos momentos con claridad, dignidad y respeto.

Hoy, me enorgullece ofrecer servicios funerarios y de planificación anticipada completamente en español, diseñados para brindar tranquilidad y acompañamiento a quienes más lo necesitan. Nuestro equipo se enfoca en honrar cada historia de vida con sensibilidad, cuidando siempre las tradiciones y valores culturales de nuestra comunidad.

Además de los arreglos personalizados, también contamos con amplia experiencia en la repatriación de seres queridos a países de Centro y Sudamérica, colaborando estrechamente con casas funerarias en otros países, consulados y embajadas para facilitar todo el proceso de manera respetuosa y eficiente.

En Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, nos diferenciamos por nuestro enfoque humano, la transparencia en los precios y el compromiso de tratar a cada familia como si fuera parte de la nuestra. Estoy aquí para servirte, escucharte y acompañarte en cada paso.

Con nosotros, no estás solo.

Hello, I’m Hipólito Reyes, originally from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, and a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia since 1997. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of this diverse and vibrant community, and I’ve also witnessed the great need for support and guidance that many families—especially within the Latin community—face when experiencing the loss of a loved one.

My calling began in 2021, after the passing of my mother. At that time, I felt lost and unsure of where to start, until I was compassionately guided by the team at Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services. That experience changed my life and inspired me to dedicate myself to helping other families navigate these moments with clarity, dignity, and respect.

Today, I’m proud to offer funeral and pre-planning services entirely in Spanish, designed to provide peace of mind and support to those who need it most. Our team is committed to honoring every life story with sensitivity, while always respecting the cultural traditions and values of our community.

In addition to personalized arrangements, we also have extensive experience in the repatriation of loved ones to countries in Central and South America, working closely with funeral homes abroad, consulates, and embassies to ensure a respectful and efficient process.

At Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, we stand out for our compassionate approach, transparent pricing, and our commitment to treating every family as if they were our own. I am here to serve you, to listen, and to support you every step of the way.

With us, you are not alone.

James joined in 2025.

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.

Maria joined Alternatives in 2014.

Michelle joined in 2026.

Patrick Maas has been an Advance Planner for several years working with Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services. During this time he is proud to have helped over 1,000 families navigate their final wishes. As a husband, father and grandfather, he understands the importance of preparing these decisions for, and with, family.

Phyllis joined Alternatives in 2021.