Our Team

At Alternatives, our team is committed to guiding and supporting families with genuine compassion every step of the way. Each professional brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and empathy to their role, ensuring you feel cared for and understood during life’s most challenging moments.

We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive environment grounded in trust, respect, and kindness, so you can navigate your journey with confidence. Meet the individuals who make Alternatives a trusted resource and discover how their passion for serving families truly sets us apart.

Tyrel Burton

Owner

Lawrence Little

Founder

Lawrence Little

Founder

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.

Hipólito Reyes

Community Relations

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.