Category: Chapel Ridge & Community

Struggling with the loss of a loved one? We explore anticipatory grief and the journey of healing. Serving families in Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, and Aurora with compassionate funeral and cremation services.

Choosing funeral or cremation services in the GTA? Find compassionate guidance in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Scarborough, Stouffville, Thornhill, and Aurora. Comprehensive options & pre-planning available.

Explore the future of green funerals, from human composting to Aquamation. Learn what eco-friendly burial options are available now in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Scarborough, and Aurora.

Explore the future of green funerals, from human composting to Aquamation. Learn what eco-friendly burial options are legally available now in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Scarborough, and Aurora.

With cemetery space becoming scarce in Hamilton and the GTA, families are seeking economical alternatives. Explore cremation, niche walls, and green burial options in Richmond Hill, Aurora, Stouffville, and Toronto.

A recent trending story caught our attention regarding eco-friendly funerals. If you haven’t read the news articles, here is a brief summery. Hanna Longard, an upper year student at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, is researching green funerals. As part of her research, she has been visiting cemeteries, interviewing funeral directors, and consulting with a wide range of people in what she calls the “death care” industry. Overall, Longard wants people to know there options when it comes to your arrangements after-death. While people may not want to discuss the inevitable, she thinks it’s important for people to know that there are eco-friendly funeral and burial options. Through her research, she’s seeing that some Canadian cemeteries are already offering eco-friendly burial options, such as compostable caskets and communal burial plots. This is positive, yet not everyone knows about it. People have different reasons for wanting these green options. Some people are concerned with how the traditional methods impact the planet, while others are moved by the concept of being returned to the earth in a natural way. In the article from The Canadian Press , president of the Funeral Service Association of Canada, Yves Berthiaume, said that the issue isn’t a matter of funeral homes not having these options, but more the fact that people don’t know to ask about them. There seems to be a lack of demand in this area currently, which of course, can and will change over time. Another reason why not everyone is adapting to the practice is the cost. It is more costly for funeral homes to stock eco-friendly products, so they need to charge more for green funerals. Longard’s project is aimed at creating awareness of green options – getting more people to talk about their wishes and look into the environmentally responsible options available. What are your thoughts? Would you have an eco-friendly funeral/burial? If you have any questions about the burial and funeral options at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, check out our webpage or reach out to a funeral director for more information.

Whether you lost your father very recently, or it’s been years since he passed, Father’s Day can be bittersweet. While everyone grieves differently, you don’t have to make it a sad day. Honour your father’s memory this June 17 with new traditions. Do Something He Loved Whether it was fishing, photography, golf, or attending sporting events – do his favourite hobby in honour of him. You could organize a group or do it alone – whatever you’re comfortable with. If you are now a father yourself, take this opportunity to introduce a new generation to these activities. Start New Traditions If you have your own family and your own hobbies, maybe honour your dad on Father’s Day by starting new traditions. This doesn’t mean you’re leaving him behind, but rather picking up where he left off. If your dad always wanted you to be happy and care for and love your family like he did, then Father’s Day should be a happy day. Support a Cause Another way to honour your late father’s memory on Father’s Day is to donate to a charity or community project. Whether you want to help support medical research or social programs, pick an organization that your father would be proud to support. Talk to Someone If you’re still grieving your father’s death, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to a friend, family member, spiritual leader, or colleague. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching any of those people in your life, reach out to us at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre in Markham . We can listen, or refer you to a qualified grief councillor in the York Region. You are not alone!

One thing we must all remember this holiday season is that we must treat every day like a gift. Be kind, grateful, and spend time with loved ones. The holiday season is also a great time to participate in community events. So, whether you’re catching a performance of A Christmas Carol at The Flato Markam Theatre, or taking your children to the Markham Public Library over the winter break, there are plenty of events and activities in the city to get you into the spirit of the holidays. There’s also The Polar Espresso event hosted by the Markham Youth Council at the Markham Centennial Centre. It’s a night of performances, food, drinks, and more festive fun! Even if you don’t attend any of the local events, make sure you take some time to reflect how truly magical this time of year is. Even if this year has been difficult – there’s always something positive that can get out of the experience. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!  Your friends at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre