In six short years, Heritage Gardens has reshaped what it means to lay loved ones to rest. "For us mortals, a lot is lived and learned in that time," says Andrew Wong of Heritage Gardens. What began as a mission to offer eco-friendly burial options has grown into something more profound. "We’ve realized that how someone is laid to rest deeply affects how their loved ones grieve and heal when they return to this space."
At Heritage Gardens, the emphasis isn’t just on the burial, but on how families connect to the space afterward. "We see ourselves as stewards," Wong explains. "We maintain the grounds but, more importantly, we provide people the space to grieve in their own way."
Supporting families through difficult losses
While traditional cemeteries are often governed by rigid bylaws that restrict personal expressions of grief, Heritage Gardens offers a different approach. "Bylaws are important, but when they force families into unwanted purchases or limit their mourning process, we have to ask - whose interests are being served?" he adds.
Wong adds that though there are requirements set out by legislation, every cemetery writes their own bylaws, on plot capacity, headstones, grave adornments and memorial gatherings. Wong advises families to understand these rules before making arrangements. "Can you plant flowers on the grave? Can you have a flat marker or a natural boulder? These are important questions to ask."
Freedom to customize memorials: A key step in the grieving process
"People need space to mourn. When the physical remains of a loved one are buried, visiting and interacting with their memorial allows us to stay connected to them," Wong notes.
Candles, incense, flowers, food offerings, photos, and mementos all act as physical representations of love. "These are memories and inside jokes, the remnants of a life lived well. Having the freedom to include these items at a loved one's memorial is an important part of the grieving process," he adds.
Wong and his team have seen firsthand how much people need this freedom. "We’ve chosen the more challenging route, allowing families to create their own personal gardens and offerings."
Locally sourced materials for personalized memorials
As part of their dedication to helping families stay connected and personalize their loved ones’ memorials, Heritage Gardens sources as much stone as possible from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This allows families easier access to local granite, marble, sandstone, and basalt when designing unique memorial markers and plaques.
"Providing families with a sense of control and the opportunity to participate in a loved one's committal service and memorial helps bring them one step closer to healthy mourning," Wong explains.
"It’s time to look at deathcare through a different lens — one that honours the dead while embracing the needs of the living."
For more information, visit heritagegardenscemetery.com.