Ettinger Funeral Home

09/04/2026

Undertaker, Mortician or Funeral Director? What’s the Difference?

These three terms are often used to describe the same profession, but each one has a little bit of history behind it.

🔹 The Undertaker: One of the oldest terms, undertaker originally referred to someone who “undertook” the responsibility of arranging and carrying out a funeral. The term became common in the 18th and 19th centuries and could include everything from preparing the deceased to arranging the funeral.

🔹 The Mortician: The word mortician is a much newer term. It came into use in the late 19th/early 20th century as an alternative to “undertaker.” It comes from mort, meaning “death,” and generally refers to someone who is trained in the care and preparation of the deceased.

🔹 The Funeral Director: Funeral director focuses more on the role of guiding and directing the funeral arrangements. A funeral director helps families make decisions, coordinates the details of the service, works with cemeteries and clergy, and makes sure everything comes together as planned.

So, which one is correct? 👉 All three! While the terminology and exact professional responsibilities can vary by location, undertaker, mortician, and funeral director have all been used to describe people working in the funeral profession. And if you’ve ever wondered why someone still says “undertaker”… now you know!

What do you call your local funeral professionals? Undertakers, morticians, or funeral directors?👇

09/03/2026

With children across the area heading back to school this week, we thought it would be the perfect time to take a trip back to the school days of long ago! Today, we’re going all the way back to 1910, to the Mill Village School here in Hants County📚

The girls. Back row, standing (right to left): Gladys Pratt (Parker), Etta Parker, Ethel Wallace, Georgie Miller, Julie Robinson, Millie Fisher, Helen Wallace, Gladys McKenzie, Edith Daniels, Lizzie Wallace (Brown), Sadie McCollum, Teacher Jessica Sutherland, Ruby Fisher (Williams). Front row, standing (right to left): Muriel MacKay (Brown), Lucy Pratt, Kay Pratt, Edie McKenzie, Della Daniels, Florence McKenzie. Seated right to left: Ina Miller, Berta Wallace (Brown), Lucy Wallace (Frame), Doddie (Alice) Robinson, Verna Robinson

The Boys. Back row, standing (right to left):Alfred Daniels, Ted Williams, Artie Daniels, Walter Ainslie, Harry Robinson, George Parker (half hidden), Hal Wallace, Douglas Fisher, Lloyd Williams, Clyde Wyles. Middle row, standing (right to left): Earl Fisher, Johnny Ainslie, Isaac Parker. Seated on chairs (right to left): Lawrence Robinson, Clarence Boyles. On the ground (right to left): Jamie Parker, Clair Miller and Kay Miller.

A little glimpse into school life more than 115 years ago, before school buses, computers, and everything else we associate with going back to school today! Wishing everyone a safe and happy school year!🍎

09/02/2026

We are truly honoured and grateful to have been nominated for the 2026 Business of the Year Award by the East Hants & Districts Chamber of Commerce❤️

Being recognized by our community means so much to our team. We are incredibly thankful for the continued support, trust, and encouragement we receive from the families and communities we have the privilege of serving. It is an honour to be there for people during some of life’s most difficult moments, and we are grateful every day for the opportunity to serve our community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who thought of us and supported our nomination. This recognition is something we are truly proud to receive.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to the other wonderful nominees, Leno’s Stop Shop and Move Yoga! It is an honour to be included alongside such deserving local businesses.

Thank you, East Hants, for continuing to support local businesses and for allowing us to be a part of this community❤️

✨2026 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS: TOP 3 FINALISTS✨

We are excited to reveal the Top 3 Finalists for Business of the Year (1-6 employees) award!

🔹Ettinger Funeral Home
🔹Leno's Stop Shop
🔹Move Yoga and Fitness

📅 Save The Date: October 20, 2026
📍Location: Alt Hotel – Halifax Airport
🔗 Learn more: https://www.ehcc.ca/business-excellence-awards/

09/02/2026

Today, September 2nd, we pause to remember the 229 lives lost in the Swissair Flight 111 tragedy off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1998. Nearly three decades later, the loss remains deeply felt by families, friends, first responders, and communities both here at home and around the world.

In the days following the tragedy, alongside first responders and other volunteers, funeral directors and embalmers from across Nova Scotia stepped forward, volunteering their time, knowledge, and compassion to assist with the recovery and to support the families who were facing unimaginable loss. They quietly carried out a difficult and emotional responsibility, helping to care for the deceased and providing comfort and dignity to those left behind. Their service is an important part of the story of how Nova Scotia came together in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Today, we remember the 229 souls who were lost, and we remember the families, first responders, volunteers, funeral professionals, and countless others who offered their strength and compassion during one of the darkest moments in our province’s history.

May they never be forgotten🕊️

09/02/2026

Pre-planning your funeral arrangements is a thoughtful gift for the people you love.
By sharing your wishes ahead of time, you can help ease the decisions your family may face and ensure your life is remembered in a way that reflects who you are.

A conversation today can bring peace of mind for tomorrow.

Learn more about pre-planning and how we can help you make arrangements that feel right for you:: https://1l.ink/VNLMZH4

08/30/2026

Our thoughts are with Carl’s family and friends during this difficult time.

A Celebration of Life will take place from 2-4pm on 19 September 2026 at the Elmsdale Legion, 850 Highway 2, Elmsdale. To read the full obituary, please refer to our website.

View Carl Francis Alguire's complete obituary, share memories, and explore heartfelt tribute posts from the community.

08/28/2026

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day to remember the special memories of beloved pet companions that we have lost.

Pets can become a close member of the family and a familiar part of our lives and daily routines, which makes the passing of one felt deeply, whether furry, feathered, scaled, or an uncommon variety.

We invite you to share a favourite memory or a photo of your beloved departed pet in the comments below. Let's celebrate their lives together and keep their spirits alive through our stories🌈🐾

08/28/2026

Sometimes, even the smallest light can carry a very big meaning.

For many children the darkness of nighttime can be frightening, the best thing to beat that fear is the comfort of a nightlight.

Something you might not know is when an infant or child is entrusted to a funeral home’s care, some funeral directors will take it upon themselves to leave a small nightlight on near them.

There is also a much older history behind the use of light following a death. For thousands of years, candles, lamps and other sources of light have been used in funeral traditions across many cultures. Light has often symbolized hope, guidance, remembrance and the journey from darkness into light.

When caring for a little one, that symbolism can feel especially significant. The soft glow of a nightlight serves as a gentle reminder that they are not alone and that there is still light and love surrounding them. It creates a warm, peaceful presence in an otherwise quiet room and represents the comfort and protection we naturally associate with caring for a child.

While there is no universal rule requiring funeral directors to leave a light on, for our staff and other professionals who practice this tradition, it is simply one small way of showing tenderness, dignity and continued care. And perhaps most importantly, it reflects something very simple: a child should never feel alone in the dark🕯️🤍

08/27/2026

Today’s Throwback Thursday takes us back 120 years to 1906, with this wonderful photograph of the old covered bridge at Shubenacadie.

Located along what was then Route 2, the bridge connected Shubenacadie with Shubenacadie East, carrying travellers, horses, wagons and the everyday traffic of the community across the river.

While covered bridges have become symbols of days gone by, the roofs and wooden sides served a very practical purpose. They protected the bridge’s wooden trusses and timbers from rain, snow and sunlight, helping to prevent deterioration while also keeping horses and oxen calm while crossing (as the structure resembled a barn). Covered bridges became particularly common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when timber was readily available and wooden truss bridges provided an economical way to span rivers and waterways. As iron and steel bridge construction became more common, covered wooden bridges gradually disappeared from the landscape.

The Shubenacadie bridge pictured here was eventually replaced by a metal bridge, and later, with the construction of the Shubenacadie bypass that we use today, the old bridge was eventually removed altogether.

Today, this covered bridge no longer stands over the river, but photographs like this one allow us to look back at a time when it was an important part of everyday life in Shubenacadie.❤️

08/26/2026

We’re usually happy to have folks use our yard to turn around, pull in for a quick rest, or otherwise use the space when needed. However, for the time being, we need to ask everyone to please refrain from using our parking lot.🚗

We are currently having some much needed maintenance done, and vehicles driving over the area could interfere with the work and potentially cause damage. We know this may be a little inconvenient, and we truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while the work is being completed.

Please help us out by keeping the parking lot clear until we’re able to welcome you back!😊