Affinity Funeral Service

Affinity Funeral Service Our dedicated and compassionate staff are very experienced supporting families at their time of need.

06/24/2026

Watch our short animated film which explains what happens at a buri...

06/23/2026

View Anita Bessie Samson's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

06/22/2026

View Adam Henry Kanarski's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Happy Father’s DayOur management and staff wish fathers everywhere an enjoyable father’s day, spent sharing special mome...
06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day

Our management and staff wish fathers everywhere an enjoyable father’s day, spent sharing special moments with family. To fathers who are no longer with us we fondly remember your support and caring ways.

Fatherhood has taught me about unconditional love, reinforced the importance of giving back and taught me how to be a better person.
-Naveen Jain

06/19/2026

View Evelyn Lorraine Jones (Wallace)'s obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

I Don’t Want to Feel BetterSome Struggle with this Part of GriefA lot of ‘what ifs’ precede the sentiment of not wanting...
06/19/2026

I Don’t Want to Feel Better
Some Struggle with this Part of Grief

A lot of ‘what ifs’ precede the sentiment of not wanting to feel better. What if they think I am not thinking about them? What if, heaven forbid, they feel that I have forgotten about them? What if I am having fun while they are no longer here to have fun with me? What if my friends and family don’t feel I am grieving properly? Grievers often experience a range of feelings that are a normal response to grief.

One sentiment that is that is related to the above self-questioning that is likely not to be expressed or not recognized by the griever is guilt. Longstanding mourning is one way that many choose to reconcile personal guilt, be it legitimate or perceived.

Hopefully, we can all agree that no one wants to grieve forever. For individuals stuck in a cycle of lament and despair, its important for them to direct their attention and energy to the reasons why continued rumination offers some sort of reward. Delving into and revealing the underlying causes of why someone wishes to continue in sadness will create an opportunity for them to recognize they are having difficulty with their grieving.

Moving forward is usually based on internal revelations, and accepting that grief, which is being experienced, is but part of their new life. That being said, this grief should not be all encompassing. Some ways to help the griever address this challenge include: talking with a trusted friend, joining a grief support group or seeking the counsel of a professional. This will help them to accept when the time is right to move forward.

Thanatologist Bill Worden talks about adjusting to a world without the deceased while finding a connection to the deceased. The human journey is to accept that loss will happen, pain will follow and change will lead to a new life.

Griever Betty was replaying all the things she felt she should have done to ease her partner’s days preceding his death. Once she listed all the time and comfort she had provided, she was able to let go of her sadness.

Sometimes we can overthink our daily lives and this is no more true than with someone who grieves. Being gentle and truthful with oneself will help those who have become stuck in grief arrive in a place where they are no longer overwhelmed by it.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

06/17/2026

View John Smyl's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Ceremonial ReleasesWhen a Symbolic Gesture and Nature… are at OddsFor some families, releasing an item that floats into ...
06/15/2026

Ceremonial Releases
When a Symbolic Gesture and Nature… are at Odds

For some families, releasing an item that floats into the sky is symbolic of the departure of their loved one from our worldly realm… and their ascendance into their final resting place in the heavens.

For this reason, these types of tributes have existed for many, many centuries. Sky lanterns originated in China and Thailand and have been used there in ceremonies since ancient times. These releases represent the letting go of deepest fears, troubles and desires, and opening doors to new beginnings.

North American ceremonial releases include the release of doves, butterflies and balloons. Doves signify peace and freedom, butterflies the transformation from one life to another and balloons ascendance to another realm.

A word of caution:

Balloons:
In recent years, balloons are no longer considered a recommended item for a ceremonial release. Birds can mistake a balloon, which falls back to earth or pieces of it, as food. When they eat it, this can create a blockage in their digestion tract and adverse effects can ensue, including death. To read more about this, please see this article from the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
https://cwf-fcf.org/en/about-cwf/faq/faqs/are-balloons-really-that-bad.html

Sky Lanterns:
Because of fire hazards associated with sky lantern releases, they are not permitted in most jurisdictions in Canada.

Ceremonial releases offer an opportunity to families wishing to personalize a service in a unique way. If considering this as an option, please look to symbols of remembrance which are safe during and following the release.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

Just Breathe Sometimes individuals experience stress and anxiety when grieving. This can lead to a variety of symptoms i...
06/12/2026

Just Breathe

Sometimes individuals experience stress and anxiety when grieving. This can lead to a variety of symptoms including rapid breathing, sweating, fatigue, increased heart rate and difficulty concentrating. Fear and worrying can dominate personal thought patterns and physical ailments can follow.

If experiencing anxiety, firstly take a moment and compose yourself. It’s about redirecting your focus from a state of panic to a state of calmness. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Elongate your back and begin to slow your rate of breathing. If comfortable close your eyes and focus on your surroundings. Listen to the sounds around you. Feel your feet on the floor and your hands beside you. Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale. Try to breathe deeply from the abdomen. Notice your chest and belly expanding and contracting.

Focus on the here and now, focus on your body as air enters and exits your lungs. Find a place of relaxation and calm. Continue to just breathe until you become comfortable.

If you continue to have anxiety over time consult your physician. They will assess if you need additional support with this condition.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

06/10/2026

View Michael "Mike" Patrick Clark's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Address

5001 45th Avenue
Drayton Valley, AB
T7A1L1

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+17805423338

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