MacIsaac Funeral Home

01/23/2026

Say Their Name

For one reason or another, at wakes, funeral services and other times following the death of someone close, there seems to be an avoidance to say the name of the deceased in conversations with others. “My (sister, uncle, cousin, parent) was a wonderful person, may they rest easy.” Alternately, someone talking to a surviving family member will skirt around the actual use of their name. “Their loss is a tragedy for us all.”

Why is it that there is an awkwardness in using their name when talking about the deceased? Perhaps saying their name may upset someone. Perhaps well-wishers are inadvertently trying to protect the feelings of those whom they are consoling.

Saying their name does show someone who is grieving that you are fully engaged in your support for them, for the mere reason it is awkward. By saying their name, you are acknowledging their life and are talking about them in the most personal way. Let’s remember them by name… it’s so much more meaningful.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/23/2026

With great sadness we announce the passing of our father, grandfather and brother, James Hugh Landry, 71, of Beaverbank, Nova Scotia. Hugh passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Home in Beaverbank, NS. Hugh was born in Antigonish, the son of Jame...

01/20/2026

After 90 years of life beautifully lived, Dorothy (Marie) Belland (née MacKenzie) passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026 surrounded by her family. Born in 1935 in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, the youngest of eleven children to Murdock and Emma MacKenzie, Marie built a life centred on love, resilien...

01/19/2026

Blaine “BJ” Joseph Sloan, age 40, passed away, leaving a space that can never be filled and a love that will never fade. Born on March 1,1985, BJ grew up in Gaspereaux Lake, where his deep connection to the outdoors began. He later made his home in North Grant with his spouse of 20 years, Amanda...

01/19/2026

Dr. Starla Fitch shows us how the ways we’re seeing may be endangering our lives in this poignant, funny talk. Her stories will make you change the way you l...

01/15/2026

With great sadness we announce the passing of Joseph Alexander (Joe Peter) MacDonald, 94, of St. Andrews, Antigonish County on January 9, 2026. Dad was the second eldest son of the late Peter J. (Peter Dan) and Annabelle (MacGillivray) MacDonald of St. Andrews. Born in St. Andrews on September 3, 19...

01/14/2026

Funeral Services and Flower Selections

The following are some considerations when sending flowers in memory of a loved one.

• Casket sprays and standing sprays are typically purchased by the immediate family of the deceased. More distant relatives and friends usually opt to purchase a simple spray or wreath.
• Floral arrangements are sent for both traditional services with a casket and memorial services with an urn.
• When making the purchase with your florist. Address the flowers to the funeral home with a delivery time earlier in the day, which the funeral is to take place on. Label the flowers with the name of the deceased. The funeral home may be hosting more than one funeral that day, so it is important to properly identify who the flowers are for. A condolence card can also accompany the arrangement.
• When deciding on which flowers to send, if you can find out if the family has a certain preference, or if the deceased had a favourite flower, these are both good choices. Or you may wish to research the meaning of different flowers and make a decision based on a certain virtue associated with a particular flower.

Remember you can always call us to find out our protocols for sending flowers to our funeral home. We can help you and even recommend a florist that we regularly work with.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/09/2026

01/06/2026

It is with deep sadness, yet grateful hearts for a well-lived life, that the family announces the peaceful passing of John Patrick Benoit, age 88, on January 5th in the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home. Born in Pomquet, Antigonish County on March 5th, 1937, John was a son of the late Leo and Alice (Deyou...

01/05/2026

Change and Starting Over

Grieving changes some people in profound ways, and sometimes the grief journey can give birth to a new life.

Following the loss of someone close, sometimes those who grieve no longer find joy in certain activities they used to do. Things once loved include participating in activities that were once shared with the beloved; doing those things without them can be challenging because strong emotions surface and little or no joy is experienced. This is especially noticeable in the early part of the grief journey. In the early part of grief, the attachment that the griever has to the deceased will make it challenging to think of life and engaging in life again without their beloved. As the griever begins to process the loss and accept the finality of the loss they will begin to find periods of reprieve, which will provide the space for them to engage in life again.

Some suggestions to introduce small changes in one’s life are:
• Keep a journal and write down your thoughts and emotions. This can help you detect when even the smallest of shifts are happening.
• Get outside. Spending time in nature is another way to create a shift. Studies have shown that even viewing pictures of nature can be a helpful tool to shift away from negative thoughts.
• Park judgement and timelines at the door and be self-compassionate. Accepting that grief brings emotional ups and downs will help you understand that you need to show compassion to yourself when you’re having a down day.

The thing to remember when grieving is that emotions are always changing and shifting. This is the natural evolution of grief and learning to accept change. Viewing ups and downs that happen as natural shifts can help us better understand what we are experiencing. By opening our minds, we become better able to forge ahead into a new chapter of our life. This acceptance helps to make the grief journey easier and more manageable.

When the griever experiences changes that are positive it can help to foster healing and growth. In this fresh experience, the griever will be open to new beginnings and accept their new reality more readily. The ability to experience something new in a positive way can provide the griever with a sense of hope that there is a life possible without their beloved.

Margaret Lorrie Beaton, MA, C. Hyp
Bereavement Counsellor

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/02/2026

James (Jimmy) David O’Brien, age 64, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital. Jimmy was raised in Antigonish, a place that shaped who he was and where many of his lifelong friendships were formed. He spent much of his working life in construction and as a...

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

We wish you a New Year filled with promises of a brighter tomorrow and moments that bring joy to your heart. May 2026 hold good health and much happiness for you and those you cherish.