If a loved one has recently been widowed, they're probably experiencing a lot of emotions. Grief is hard for anyone, but losing a spouse can be extra difficult - especially those who had a long happy marriage. After the funeral, memorial and reception, you might think that it's best to…
"No funeral!?" That's the reaction many people have when a loved one tells them their wishes, or when they're told there will be no service for dearly departed friend or family member. It can be hard to believe that someone wouldn't want this time-honoured tradition. While we at Chapel Ridge…
After someone has died you might hear people use the term wake and you might be wondering what it means. You might assume this term is interchangeable with "reception" or "viewing", and sometimes people use it like that. However, the a wake is a tradition with a very specific meaning…
Now that 2019 is coming to an end, many of you will be making New Year's Resolutions. While there are plenty of common ones out there - eating healthier, getting fitter or starting a new hobby, there are some practical resolutions you may not have thought of. As we get…
Death doesn't adhere to a convenient schedule, so there's really nothing you can do to prevent a death over the holidays. The holiday season is fun, but it is already a little bit stressful. Adding a death, whether expected or not, can only add to your grief. Many families grapple…
Up until recently, pet burials had to happen in specific places separate from human burial sites. However, a cemetery in Laval, Quebec, is recognizing your furry friends as a member of the family, allowing them to be buried alongside their human owners. The Laval Cemetery now has a "Masters and…
When it comes to funeral attire, there are many opinions out there. There are traditionalists who believe that you need to wear black or navy suits or simple, conservative dresses. There are also people who believe that colour is okay - framing it as a celebration of life rather than…
Burial has been a practice for centuries. It's the final step in a funeral - putting our loved ones in their final resting place. While burials have kept some rituals from the past, there are some oddities. Today is Halloween - a day where we see images of spooky cemeteries,…
Thank you cards are a way to show gratitude towards friends and family who are there for you or show generosity in some way. After a death, many of your loved ones will do what they can to be there for you. This could be bringing over meals so you…
Have you ever heard of an end-of-life doula? While most people recognize the term doula as related to birth and babies, there are now doulas specializing in death and dying. For those who have received the unfortunate news that they have a terminal illness or that their health is declining,…
