Hill & Robinson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings

Our team at Hill & Robinson Funeral Home wish you all a pleasurable holiday season! May you share memorable times together as you celebrate family traditions. We hope you are able to be with those who are near and dear to you and that you experience the Christmas spirit, its joys and happiness.

"Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind."
-Valentine Davies, 'Miracle on 34th Street'

12/23/2025

View Imogene MacKinnon's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/22/2025

12/17/2025

View Brian Craig Doolittle's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/17/2025

Supporting Those who are Grieving During the Holidays

The holidays are a time for celebrating, sharing traditions with family and friends, good food, exchanging gifts and love. For a griever, this excitement and anticipation of the holidays is often mixed with sadness, sometimes self-pity and dread. Their loved ones witness their anguish but are often at a loss as to how to best provide support.

It is important to differentiate between the griever not faring well and the griever doing their best under the circumstances. Signs of not coping include an increase in self-medication, a personality change and repeated negative emotions. Often family members and close friends are not always objective enough to hold conversations with the griever, without attempting to impose well intended personal views. This provides little benefit to the bereft.

For those who are close to a griever it is important to realize that grief cannot be fixed. Grief must be experienced, even during the holiday season. To have an open and non-judgmental conversation with the griever about what they are experiencing helps provide direction as to if their grief is simply being expressed in the best way they can or the griever is unable to cope and professional help is warranted.

Jim felt that his father should join the family for all of their holiday gatherings after his wife died so he wouldn’t feel alone. Had a conversation between them occurred, Jim would have discovered that his dad actually felt lonelier surrounded by family and appreciated the quiet reflection time being alone offered him. Always seek input from the griever as to what they feel comfortable doing over the holidays.

It is also important to prepare all family members to recognize the fact that persons are changed by the grief they are experiencing. They have lost someone very important in their life. Opening a dialogue in advance minimizes any misunderstanding that may occur as holiday events unfold. As an example, is it ok to mention or talk about the person who has died, subsequently addressing the elephant in the room?

Perhaps preparing a gift for the griever, one which honours the deceased, will show them they continue to be supported and loved. Sometimes children can be part of this, as they often have great ideas on making the griever comfortable and they come from a place of honesty. Grievers do like to hear the name of their loved one and are comforted by stories and memories. Sharing tales about how the deceased brought joy, laughter and perhaps even mischief can add some well needed levity to holiday events.

When someone close dies, we all have a role in helping each other. Remember the needs of those who were closest to the deceased are paramount in the way any traditions unfold. Together, by respecting one another’s feelings and limits, the holidays can be experienced in the most optimal way.

Bertha Brannen
Bereavement Group Leader

© Hill and Robinson FH/CFHC Online

12/16/2025

View Clancy O'Shaughnessy's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/14/2025

Light a Candle in Memory of a Beloved Child Today!

The second Sunday of December is designated Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world participate in this observance, each lighting a candle in memory of a child, someone taken from them too soon.

Established by Compassionate Friends in 1997, this 24-hour vigil starts at 7 p.m. in local time zones, with residents lighting their candle to begin the ceremony. As the world rotates and nighttime begins across different global time zones, a symbolic ray of light and hope is created.

Many organizations, such as hospitals, schools and funeral homes, participate in this healing ritual. The lighting of a candle serves many purposes. It pays tribute to the life of a loved one, it provides light and hope during the darkest of days, and it symbolizes the continuation of the deceased in spirit.

In 2019, a virtual Worldwide Candle Lighting Memorial Wall was added to this observance, allowing family members to share messages honouring their child, grandchild, sibling or friend.

To learn more about participating in a candle lighting event, please visit:
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl/.

© Hill and Robinson FH/CFHC Online

12/10/2025

View William Farley's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/10/2025

Writing a sympathy card can be an emotional experience. Finding the right words to comfort someone who is grieving isn't easy.

12/09/2025

View Jody Ostrom's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/05/2025

View Johnathan Stacey's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/05/2025

Crafting Memory Pieces

Whether it’s creating a keepsake for yourself or as a gift for someone close, crafting can provide joy and meaning to the bereaved following the death of a loved one.

Below are some ideas for making something special and personal to remember your beloved.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/230528074649825472/ Memory Ornaments
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/363243526166108242/ Memory Candles
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158963061824282442/ Memory Trees

If possible include a picture, or an expression or quote to create a truly unique piece. Visit a local craft store to get ideas. Imagine placing your special ornament on the Christmas tree each year, making a living memory, one that endures time. Or repurposing an item such as a watch so that the memory of them is always close by.

Making and then displaying simple items such as these provides both peace and joy. Memory pieces are another chance for us to remember and reflect on the special bonds that were shared.

© Hill and Robinson FH/CFHC Online