Funeral Services

Funeral Services


All we need to do is say the word "funeral" and you have an image in your mind of what a funeral looks like. This image comes from many sources: our culture, society, and geographical place in which we live, as well as our faith and our life experiences. Obviously, a funeral service in Kapuskasing could look very different from one held in Tokyo. There are even significant differences between the funerals in ethnically and/or geographically diverse regions of North America.


Yet, despite the differences, these funeral services have much in common. We invite you to read further to learn the simple answer to the question "What is a funeral?" Should you have questions about what you read here, we encourage you to call us.



What Makes a Funeral?


The terms Funeral Service, Memorial Service, and Celebration of Life can be used interchangeably, to describe the ceremonies and rites that take place when a member of our community dies. 


All three kinds of services serve to:

  • Help us acknowledge someone we love has died.
  • Allow us to say goodbye.
  • Provide a social support system for family and friends.
  • Help us move from life before death to life after death.
  • Provide a safe place to express our feelings of loss.



Funeral Service Options


Just as every life is unique, every funeral service is unique. The end-of-life ceremonies and rites you choose to honour and remember your loved one can have any combination of the elements described in the following.


Visitation: This can also be called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing the deceased’s remains in a casket or urn, and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.


Service: This is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, a middle and an end. It engages the participants in activities which will transform their status in the community; provides mourners with a collective grieving experience; and celebrates a life lived. It can be held in a place of worship; at our funeral home; or any other location selected by the family.


Committal: This is a brief ritual when the remains of our loved one are placed in their final resting place. At the cemetery, it is when the casket is lowered into the ground, or the urn is placed in a columbarium. The committal service can also be held when the cremated remains are scattered in a location that has significant meaning to the deceased or his/her loved ones.  


Reception: This is a gathering after the service, where food and beverages can be served. This is a time to share memories, laughter, and support in an unstructured way.



Are You Undecided? Turn to Us

 

In the book Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, you'll find this fundamental truth: “Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even its end.” As funeral professionals we help families express reverence for life. We have years of experience listening, brainstorming, and advising families how they can best pay tribute to a beloved family member. That means we're the perfect people to help you plan an end-of-life ceremony that best reflects your loved one and is right for your family.  We'll explore your funeral service options with you in detail, taking all the time you need.


Sources: Harris, Joanne. Chocolat

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