On Thursday, April 3, 2025, JFS hosted the Dying, Death, Burial & Bereavement (DDB&B) Resource Fair at the Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace. This special event was designed to connect low-income and no-income older adults with compassionate support and accessible services and information related to end-of-life planning, grief, and funeral options.
Throughout the day, the room was filled with warmth, connection, and meaningful conversations. Approximately 15 community organizations each hosted an information table with practical resources, friendly guidance, and materials for attendees to take home.
Whether seeking clarity on paperwork, exploring affordable funeral options, or simply in need of a kind listener, the nearly 80 attendees were met with empathy and understanding.
A standout feature of the fair was the quiet counselling space—a calm, private area where individuals could pause and reflect with the support of trained staff. Refreshments and a welcoming atmosphere helped make the day feel inclusive and comfortable while attendees navigated what are often sensitive and challenging topics.
Volunteers played an essential role in the DDB&B Resource Fair’s success, offering a friendly face at every turn and helping to ensure everything ran smoothly. Samantha, a second-year Gerontology student and JFS intern, shared her experience as one of the event organizers:
“As a practicum student, this was my first experience facilitating a public event. It was heartwarming to see people open up and find the support they need for topics that are often difficult to talk about.”
Feedback collected from both attendees and participating organizations will help shape future JFS programming, continuing the mission of making essential end-of-life resources more accessible to older adults in our community.
To further support that mission, JFS and South Vancouver Seniors Network will be collaborating to release a Dying, Death, Burial & Bereavement Resource Guide. This upcoming guide will include many of the same resources presented at the DDB&B Resource Fair, along with additional low-cost or no-cost resources.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us—whether as a visitor, vendor, or volunteer. The DDB&B Resource Fair was a meaningful reminder of the power of community and compassion in supporting older adults throughout the aging journey.
JFS gratefully acknowledges that the DDB&B Resource Fair and the upcoming resource guide are made possible with funding from Vancouver Coastal Health Smart Fund and the May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust.
If you have any questions about this event or are looking for resources, please contact Tamar Stein, JFS Seniors Community Outreach Coordinator, at Tamar Stein [email protected] or 604-558-5709.
You can stay up-to-date on future JFS events at jfsvancouver.ca/event/.