About Us
Losing someone you love isn’t easy.
We get it.
We’ve been there, too.
Most of us have lost a loved one, someone that we care about deeply. If we haven’t, we know at some point we will. We hope that in our time of loss, we can reach out to someone to help us through, and so Branch & Pyre was created.
We’re a touchpoint for families. A place they can call when a death occurs, and be guided through one of the most difficult times of their lives, making cremation arrangements for their loved one.
We’re here to help you arrange, and will extend a compassionate approach with you every step of the way.
OUR VISION
Branch & Pyre provides Winnipeg families an easier way to arrange a simple, direct cremation for their loved one.
At Branch & Pyre, we understand that the last thing that most families want to do at the time of a loved one’s passing is to have to visit a funeral home and sit through a two-hour appointment to make arrangements.
So we created a simpler way to arrange. Online. With just a quick phone call to our office, and a few forms on our website, arrangements can be made safely and securely, in just minutes, from the comfort of home.
Our licensed, local professionals are here to help you arrange anytime, day or night.
Celebrate life, simply.
Branch & Pyre is an ideal option for families who not only want a simpler way to arrange a direct cremation, but who also may want to celebrate their loved ones’ life themselves, in their own way, at their own pace.
When it comes to planning a Celebration of Life, families are also doing things a little differently now; a little more casual, a little less of the formal, “one size fits all” funeral home experience.
For some, it might mean planning a tribute at a favourite local restaurant or hotel, or hosting a simple, intimate gathering in the backyard with the help of family and friends, while for others, maybe it’s a private moment shared over a glass of wine, quietly remembering the good times right at home.
In whichever way you choose to honour your loved one’s memory, let it be as meaningful and as individual as the life that they lived.
A message from Lee
“As a funeral director, for me it wasn’t always about the big funeral, the elaborate public tribute. Or how much families could spend to show how much they care.”
Throughout my career, some of the stories that I remember most were the simple ones. The private ones shared over a glass of wine, or during the ritual of lighting a candle at home. My clients taught me that even the posting of a memory on social media could be a profoundly meaningful act. And that didn’t cost a thing. I wanted to start a service for those families. The ones who wanted to say goodbye, simply.
— Owner, Lee Barringer
Founder/Owner of Branch & Pyre
About Lee
Lee started his career in funeral service in Winnipeg in 1988. He is a Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and has been an entrusted Celebrant Speaker for hundreds of Winnipeg families. A published author and regular contributor with the American Funeral Director magazine.
Subject Matter Expert, curriculum developer and Instructor for Red River College mortuary students. He developed and taught classes in Ethics & Professionalism and Belief Systems. A Palliative Manitoba board member, Education Chair and long time Grief & Loss Seminar instructor. Crematorium and Funeral Home Manager. 30+ years experience.
Lee is the owner of Branch & Pyre.
He lives in River Heights with his wife, Rachel.