Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

06/15/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Ellen Marie Chadwick
Werner Ludwig Fricke
Alma Lorraine Gutfriend
Daisy Sybil Sndriene Lane

06/15/2026

Being Present: Mobile Phone Etiquette at Services

Sometimes in our hectic lives, we forget to turn off our phones, but there are places where etiquette requires us not to distract others. Whether it be at a movie theatre, restaurant or seminar hall, it is always proper to silence our phones, and this is never more important than at a funeral.

Funeral services, visitations and/or receptions serve as occasions for friends and family to unite in honour of a loved one and provide support for those who are grieving. Out of respect for both the family and the deceased, it is important to be present in the moment; to give the gift of one’s full attention. This means not being distracted by phones – something increasingly hard to do in today’s busy society – and the best way to do this is by making sure they are silenced or left in your vehicle before entering a facility.

This etiquette needs to extend to all aspects of the service, whether paying respects at a visitation, listening to a eulogy or sharing fellowship at a reception-type event. Sometimes important calls will need to be answered, and if this is the case, please step out of the room to not be a distraction. Sometimes funeral directors will go as far as to make an announcement to silence phones prior to the beginning of a service.

Today, we are providing a gentle reminder that every life deserves to be celebrated with the primary focus on the ceremonies of the day and without the distraction of mobile phones.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

06/12/2026

Invite Them to Your Gathering

People often unintentionally withdraw from those who grieve. Many do not have experience in providing support to family or friends who are dealing with loss, sometimes awkward in their presence, sometimes not knowing what to say when consoling. As a result, the bereaved can experience a secondary loss: daily interactions with people, especially when they have lost a partner.

Mourners tend to isolate. They often resist reaching out to others for fear of becoming a burden. Therefore, it is important to take the first step by inviting someone who has experienced a recent loss to gatherings, whether it be a family dinner, an upcoming event or a even a simple social outing.

Why is social support so important? Many grief experts believe it is a key element in recovery. Being with others helps decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can inadvertently lead to mental health issues like depression and even substance abuse. Connecting with people improves mental health by providing something to look forward to and a reason to move away from isolation. Once out in the company of others, grievers are often reminded that amidst the pain, life still holds moments of happiness and joy.

So, whether it’s an upcoming wedding, a family dinner or even an outing to a park, remember to invite the bereaved, providing them with an opportunity to interact with others and find the social support they need during their period of grief recovery.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

06/09/2026

Pet Cemeteries: A Peaceful Resting Place for Our Furry Companions

In life, our dogs loved to be outside, running to fetch a stick, chase a ball or even plunge into an icy river. Many of our cats also chose the outside life, hunting under trees or simply sunning their bellies on a warm day. But when our beloved pets draw their last breaths, we often struggle with what to do with their remains. Should we scatter in the woods or bury in the backyard? For those who are undecided, a pet cemetery may be the perfect option.

Growing in popularity in many regions across Canada, pet cemeteries offer a secure and safe place to inter our best friends. Most of these cemeteries have beautifully landscaped grounds, providing a place of comfort to visitors. And pet cemeteries are not just open to dogs and cats; they also cater to birds, reptiles, pigs and small mammals. Even horses are allowed at some properties.

These gated, park-like settings provide several options, from private or communal plots for full body burials to locations designated for placing cremated remains. Memorial plaques are also available to provide a physical marking to where our fur baby is resting and to record their name and lifespan. Most importantly, pet cemeteries provide peace of mind and a place to remember fond memories.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

06/08/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Joyce Geraldine Bulbeck
Susan May Feeney
Werner Ludwig Fricke
Paul Joseph Keenan
Susan Colleen Larock
Marlene Denise Walker

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

Finding a Solution for Everyone Involved

When preplanning a service, there are often many individuals who will have feelings about the type of tribute that is planned to honour and remember the life of a loved one. Family members include immediate family: spouse, children, parents, siblings and more distant relatives. There are close and not so close friends. There are workplace and social colleagues who have formed significant relationships over time. It’s surprising how many people are impacted by the death of a loved one and the connections that were shared.

When planning a service, a good starting point is considering all of those people who had ties directly or even indirectly with a loved one. Some families will even create a list as a means to determine who or who won’t attend, who needs to be advised and who would want the opportunity to pay respects. We all have impacts on the lives of others and one of the reasons to honour someone is to recognize these ties.

With an idea of who would like to be part of honouring your loved one, subsequent decisions can be made. A level of service and venue can be selected. A life can be honoured and a community of well-wishers can unite and remember.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

06/03/2026

Congratulations to our Apprentice Funeral Director, Buffy Evers on Completing Her Schooling

We proudly announce and congratulate Buffy on the successful completion of the Funeral Director Program offered through the Canadian College of Funeral Service.

This achievement represents considerable time of dedication, compassion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to serving families during some of life’s most difficult moments. Throughout her schooling and apprenticeship, she has demonstrated not only professionalism and determination, but also the kindness, empathy, and grace that are so essential to the funeral profession.

Her ability to connect with people, provide comfort, and approach every situation with dignity and care confirms that she is exceptionally well suited to this meaningful career. The funeral profession requires both strength and compassion, and she has continually shown an admirable balance of both.

We are excited to see her continue to grow in her career and know she will make a lasting impact on the families and communities she serves.

Congratulations, Buffy on this outstanding accomplishment and best wishes for a successful and rewarding future in funeral service.

Rod & Stacey

06/01/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Margaret Louise Bernadet
Joyce Geraldine Bulbeck
Susan May Feeney
Lillian Specht
Marlene Denise Walker

05/29/2026

Signs Someone is not Coping Well with Grief

In our North American society, we have pulled us away from grief through medicalizing dying and death. Many of us have become ‘death phobic’ where we prefer not to deal with aspects surrounding death and we ignore our grieving. By tucking away grief with the hope it will disappear, we are presuming that grief will steal the joy that life still has to offer.

Some grievers attempt to overcome grief by jumping over it. They pretend they are ok, when in fact they have simply chosen to suffer alone. Support persons who are close to the griever need to be aware of some of the signs a family member or friend is not coping well. These include:

• A change in personality
• Drastic change in appetite
• Withdrawal from social situations
• Long periods of sleeplessness
• Increase in self-medication (over-the-counter or hard drugs), alcohol, gambling, etc.
• Heightened focus on and exceedingly long hours of work
• Frequent physical complaints
• Inattentiveness leading to accidents or fractures
• Unusual negative expressions or humour

As a family member, friend or caregiver becomes aware of the above difficulties they have several options available to help the griever become attentive of their inability to cope, address their grief and begin the journey to heal. Some ideas to help include:

• Provide a safe and trusting space for the griever
• Wait for the griever to be open to conversation
• Avoid offering unsolicited advice
• Ask questions such as: “What is this journey like for you?” “What are some of the most difficult things you are facing now?” “Can you think of things or persons who have helped you with difficult decisions or feelings in the past?” “What is one thing that I can do for you?”
• LISTEN knowing that the more stories that are shared, the more emotions can be released
• Accept that silence may be the griever’s choice
• Keep showing up

It bears repeating that everyone’s grief journey is unique. What may seem like unacknowledged grief may actually be a normal experience for the griever. It is when several of these changes persist for a long period of time and the help of a family member or friend is not working, there may be cause for concern the griever is not coping well. At this point the need to seek support from a professional grief counsellor may be warranted.

Many grievers try to not be a burden on others. It is up to us to keep an eye on them and to check in with them on a regular basis to make sure they are doing ok. With our help they will be better able to meet the challenges they face.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online