类别：殡葬服务

Confused about cremation vs. burial? We explore the costs, traditions, and green burial options available to Markham families to help you decide.

Every funeral is different. Each one reflects the individual who has passed away, their beliefs, the beliefs of their family, their culture, and their personal tastes. For those who have not attended many funerals, or have never been to one at all, some common rituals and practices might strike you as alarming or upsetting. One such practice is the open casket. Why do some choose this? Open casket viewings give loved ones a chance to say goodbye to the deceased and see them one last time. You might see mourners standing by it weeping, or praying, or simply quietly remembering them. For some, they won’t believe that the person is truly gone until they see it with their own eyes. It’s both a comfort and a confirmation. What to expect Funeral home staff prepare the body for viewing. This includes embalming – to preserve the body – as well as dressing and applying makeup to give them a life-like appearance. Even with all of this, you cannot fully expect the person to look like they did in life. This can be jarring for some. What to do First of all, you are under no obligation to approach the casket before or after the service. If an open casket upsets you, it is most polite to arrive and take your seat. Resist the urge to say anything out loud about your feelings on open caskets. Unless you are close family, you can sit at the back if that makes you feel more at ease. You can mourn and remember your loved one in your own way. Do not feel any guilt about not approaching the casket. Remember, everyone deals with grief in different ways, viewing the body is just one of many. You can look at old photos, share stories, and hold onto keepsakes to help you get through this difficult time. Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre in Markham offers advice on many subjects relating to funerals, grief , and death – including funeral etiquette.

Have you ever read an obituary that says “In lieu of flowers…”? Do you ever wonder what this means? Essentially, it is the family’s way of politely saying that instead of sending flowers they would rather you express your sympathy in another way – such as a charitable donation in the deceased’s name. While this doesn’t often stop everyone from sending flowers, it does send the message that flower’s aren’t the only way to show you care. Here are five alternatives to flowers that show your sympathy when a loved one has passed away: Plant a tree – Whether you plant it in your own backyard, or you gift a sapling to a grieving member of the family, a tree is a lovely way to honour the memory of a loved one. Unlike cut flowers, planted trees have a longer lifespan. You can watch it grow – providing clean air and shade. A garden stone or statue – Whether you give a garden stone with the person’s name on it, or a garden statue such as an angel, this can be a meaningful and long-lasting gift. This is especially nice if the deceased enjoyed gardening or time outdoors. House cleaning or lawn services – If some you love just lost their spouse and are struggling to get the household chores done, it can be a nice gesture to pay for a cleaning or lawn and garden service to come in to help them during this difficult time. Food – When families are struggling with funeral plans and contacting relatives, and dealing with their own grief, cooking and eating healthy meals isn’t always possible. Send over a pre-assembled dish that just need to be popped in the oven then served to ensure everyone is eating and taken care of. Photographs and memories – Share some special photographs that the family may not have seen before, or some letters or mementos you’ve kept from the person who’s passed. These are just some ideas for alternatives to flowers, but if you wish to still send flowers there are plenty of florists in Markham that can create a stunning tribute for you. Metro Florist Inc. Tim Clark’s Flowers Ann’s Flowers Flamingo Floral & Gifts & More! You can also order flowers through the Chapel Ridge Funeral Home’s website !

When someone special to us dies it’s common practice in the West to plan a funeral or memorial service. While different cultures and religions have their own customs, there is some flexibility when it comes to personalization. Funerals and memorials can provide a lot of comfort to the living, especially if the service is designed to pay tribute to the deceased individual. While it can be difficult to make these types of decisions when grieving, the service can be so much more meaningful when it’s personalized. Here are some tips to help you plan a unique service: MUSIC While your church or funeral home might recommend some common hymns or songs, the choice is ultimately yours. Did your loved one have a favourite song? Or a favourite artist? Is there a song that reminds you of them or one that sums up their life? Funerals do not have to have the standard organ music if you don’t want. Do you want a live musician to play? Some families hire acoustic guitar players, pianists, or even bagpipers. Talk to the funeral home about how they can accommodate your requests. VISUALS Many funeral homes can set up easels where you can display boards with family photos of the deceased. A lot of families enjoy putting these together as it gives them a chance to reminisce – which helps with the grieving process. Ask different relatives and friends to loan you some photos to add to the memories. You can also make digital slideshows that can play on a loop in the reception hall during visitations and after the funeral. In addition to photographs, you can also display items that belonged to the deceased. These items can represent the individuals hobbies and passions in life. Things such as a baseball glove, a fishing rod, a set of knitting needles, etc. can go on display to add some personal touches to the room. You can set these items near the coffin or urn, or set them around the reception room. FLOWERS Red roses and white lilies are quite common for funerals, but if you know your loved one had a favourite flower or a favourite colour you can order funeral arrangements that are a bit more personal. Many florists can add ribbons that say “mother,” “grandmother,” etc. to pay tribute to the person who has passed away. There are several reputable florists in Markham and York Region that can help you pay tribute to your special loved one. STATIONARY From programmes to ‘Thank You’ cards, you can have personalized stationary printed in a design that reflects the individual who’s life you are celebrating. Families can use the stationary to send notes to loved ones who sent flowers or cards. READINGS Much like the music, there are several common poems and bible verses that can be read at funerals or memorials, however; you can personalize it by choosing poems or readings that either the person loved, or that represents them. If the person was not religious, there are plenty of secular poems that can be just as meaningful. If your really want to celebrate the life of your loved one, the best way is through the sharing of personal memories. By having people share their stories you can truly feel the impact that the person had throughout their life. These stories are often what people enjoy about funerals, even though they are sad. PRE-ARRANGED If you want to decide all of this before the time comes, you can pre-arrange your own funeral to ensure that your loved ones follow your wishes, and won’t be burdened with these tough decisions. For more information of personalizing a funeral or memorial service, speak to one of the friendly funeral directors at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in Markham to learn more about your options.

“ No funeral!? ” That’s the reaction many people have when a loved one tells them their wishes, or when they’re told there will be no service for dearly departed friend or family member. It can be hard to believe that someone wouldn’t want this time-honoured tradition. While we at Chapel Ridge are in the funeral business, we also understand that everyone is different in how they want their loved ones to mourn them. For the living, it can be hard to get closure or come to terms with the death without some sort of service. When someone says “no funeral” it doesn’t necessarily mean they want nothing. For many the traditional funeral service – with loved ones all in black and the somber tone of the proceedings – isn’t what they want. What this often means is that they would prefer to be honoured in a different way. No Funeral? What are the Alternatives? For many, it’s the traditional funeral that they don’t want. They don’t want their loved ones mourning, but rather celebrating. This is why many people hold what they call a “celebration of life” ceremony. It’s 2020, so funerals don’t have to be what they once were. Celebrations of life or memorial services can be held in funeral homes, but they don’t have to be. You can hold them in a private home, an event space, outdoors or a restaurant. They can be informal gatherings of close family, or bigger events that you plan in advance. You can still have speeches, readings and music if you wish, or you can make it more casual – allowing people to mingle and share stories in smaller groups. It’s really up to you. You Still Need Us Even if you don’t host your event at a Chapel Ridge, you still need to contact us after a death has occurred . Funeral homes and cremation centres do much more than host funerals. After the death is pronounced, and if no autopsy is needed, we will transfer the body and facilitate the necessary steps to prepare it for interment. If there are no pre-paid arrangements, you will need to choose an urn or casket and make burial arrangements. If you need any help or have any questions regarding alternative service options, please reach out to us !

After someone has died you might hear people use the term wake and you might be wondering what it means. You might assume this term is interchangeable with “reception” or “viewing”, and sometimes people use it like that. However, the a wake is a tradition with a very specific meaning and context that separates it from other pre- and post-funeral gatherings. Traditional Wake This is a pre-funeral gathering where loved ones sit with and observe the body of the deceased. Traditionally this is done at home, with the casket placed in a parlour or common area – open for viewing. Today, wakes can take place in a funeral home and are often called viewings. Viewings can also occur during a visitation with an open casket. Some differentiate a wake and a viewing as a former is often more of a social event. Wakes are also considered more religious than viewings. The term “wake” comes from old English and literally means to keep watch. An Irish Wake Traditionally, funerals, wakes, memorials and visitations are solemn events. However, in the Irish tradition a wake is a celebratory gathering. The Irish believe that the dead and the living must come together. The wake takes place in the home of the deceased and it is decorated with special items significant to the dead. The casket should be placed near an open window to allow the spirit to leave peacefully. In a way, Irish wakes are very superstitious. The deceased is dressed in their best clothes and candles are lit at their feet and head. Some drape rosary beads over their head. So, while it’s a celebration of life, it’s still steeped in religion and spirituality. At Chapel Ridge Funeral Home Here at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre we accommodate a wide variety traditions. If you would like a viewing and/or visitation in addition to a funeral or memorial services.  Contact us and we will gladly listen to all of your wishes and ideas. We can arrange a traditional wake or a modern visitation or reception. We can arrange catering and help you with all the details.

When it comes to funeral attire, there are many opinions out there. There are traditionalists who believe that you need to wear black or navy suits or simple, conservative dresses. There are also people who believe that colour is okay – framing it as a celebration of life rather than a solemn occasion. So, who’s right? What constitutes proper funeral attire these day? Both camps are right in their own way. So, how do you know what’s right or wrong? Funeral Attire Dos and Don’ts When it comes to picking an appropriate outfit for a funeral, don’t focus so much on the colours of the garments, but more on the styles. You might own black clothing, but it might be too casual or too flashy for a funeral. But every family is different – so what constitutes appropriate will depend on that. However, if you are a distant relative or casual friend of the family, err on the side of caution. Same goes for colour. It’s safe to avoid loud patterns if you’re not sure what the family would want. Solid colours or subtle patterns are more appropriate. Requested Attire In some cases, the family will request that funeral guests wear a certain colour or pattern to honour the deceased. If the person’s favourite colour was blue, they may ask that attendees wear something blue. Some religions and cultures call for specific attire. Though black is the traditional mourning colour in the western world, white is actually more common globally. In some cultures, red is considered inappropriate. If you’re attending a funeral for someone from an unfamiliar culture or religion, do some research before hand so you won’t make a mistake. While many families have adopted western practices, many still adhere to their customs. Never assume western style dress is appropriate and ask someone if you’re unsure. Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre in Markham, Ontario, hosts funeral services for people from all religions and customs. We encourage you to personalize the service and include as many or a few traditions as you wish into the service. Contact our staff today to start pre-planning your funeral.

Thank you cards are a way to show gratitude towards friends and family who are there for you or show generosity in some way. After a death, many of your loved ones will do what they can to be there for you. This could be bringing over meals so you don’t have to cook, sending sympathy cards and flowers, or being a shoulder to cry on. It’s hard to grieve alone, so it’s nice to acknowledge the people who keep you going during this difficult time. You don’t have to send cards to everyone, but it’s nice to acknowledge those who went the extra mile for you. Who to send Thank You Cards to? Those who helped you plan or organize the funeral While usually the immediate family plans the funeral, but if you have special friends who went above and beyond to help you organize, then those people deserve a thank you card. Whether they stayed and helped you clean up your house after hosting a wake or helped make food for the reception, these friends and loved ones deserve acknowledgment. Those who spoke at the funeral If someone gives a speech, reads a poem or a passage of scripture at the funeral service, you should send them a thank you card. It’s not easy to get up in front of a room full of people to speak and it’s even harder when it’s a funeral, as everyone is already highly emotional. It’s also nice to thank them for their kind words, thoughtful stories and wonderful memories. The clergy or officiant of the service You might want to send thank you cards to the clergy and/or officiants who conducted the funeral. This is especially nice if the person knew the deceased. Many people take comfort in their faith after a death, so it’s nice to thank the people who supported you in that way during this time. Musicians Did you hire a piano player, organist, bag piper, or singer to perform at the funeral? It is kind to send a note thanking them for helping your family celebrate the life of your loved one. Contact Us Before you can write anyone a thank you note, you first have to organize the funeral. Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre in Markham has a large chapel that can accommodate large crowds. Contact us today to learn more about our services.