Affinity Funeral Service

11/09/2025

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

11/08/2025

View Stewart Jasper Raymond Poirier's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/07/2025

View Neil Harold Norton's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/07/2025

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

11/07/2025

The Canadian National War Memorial
‘The Response’

Each year on November 11th, 10’s of thousands unite, pay tribute and remember the sacrifice of Canadians who fought and died protecting global freedoms. Veterans gather and, as one, march to the National War Memorial which serves as the cornerstone for these commemorative services. Dignitaries attend these annual events and lay wreaths in remembrance of those who served and were killed in conflicts around the world. And at 11 a.m. two minutes of silence are observed.

Following World War One, the federal government commissioned the building of the National War Memorial to honour the sacrifices of those who served in WW1. The design of Vernon March was selected from 127 entries – the name of his design was “The Great Response of Canada.” The memorial was completed in 1938 and dedicated in 1939 by King George VI.

This cenotaph includes two bronze statues which rest in a granite archway. The lower statue has 22 figures that emerge from below the arch. Depicted are service men and women including infantrymen, a cavalryman, an artilleryman, an aviator, a sailor, a sapper, a stretcher-bearer and nurses. Atop the granite arch are symbolic figures representing Peace and Freedom.

Since its inception, the memorial has been rededicated twice. In 1982, those who served in WW2 and the Korean War were also honoured. In 2014 the monument was rededicated to honour all who have served Canada in conflict - war and in the cause of peace - past, present and in the future.

As a somber symbol, the National War Memorial reminds us of the perils and tragedies of war, lives sacrificed and the spouses, children, parents and other family members who mourn.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

11/04/2025

The Life and Times of Canadian Elsie MacGill

Nicknamed the “Queen of the Hurricanes,” Elizabeth (Elsie) Muriel Gregory MacGill was a Canadian aeronautical engineer and prominent feminist. Today on the anniversary of her death, we celebrate her many contributions to Canada and the world.

Never one to let stereotypes stand in her way, MacGill’s education and career reflect many “firsts.” She was the first Canadian woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (1927) and the first woman in North America to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering (1929). In 1938, she became the chief aeronautical engineer of Canadian Car & Foundry, and in 1947, she was the first woman to chair a United Nations committee.

MacGill’s nickname “Queen of the Hurricanes,” came to prominence in the Second World War at which time she coordinated the manufacturing of 1,451 Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force as well as 835 Curtiss Helldivers for the U.S. Navy. The production of these aircraft led to Canada’s budding reputation as a powerhouse in the aircraft manufacturing industry.

An active feminist, MacGill was president of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs and a member of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. Inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame and the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame, she was awarded the Centennial Medal in 1967 and became an officer of the Order of Canada in 1971. More recently, she has been honoured with a postage stamp in 2019 and a commemorative loonie in 2023.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

11/01/2025

Movember
A Time of the Year when Stashes and Beards become more Commonplace

This month you may notice a few more unshaved colleagues at the water cooler or at social events. Yes men around the world will be ditching the razor for the 30 day stretch beginning November 1.

Movember is a grass roots charity, beginning in 2003 when two friends in Australia decided to bring moustaches back into style, in support of men’s health issues. In 2003, 30 men took the Movember challenge. In 2004, close to 500 took the challenge. In 2007, countries with Movember events included Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, UK and USA.

To date there have been more than 7 million Mo Bros and Mo Sisters and more than $1 Billion has been raised in support of men’s health issues. More than 1250 health projects have been funded for men’s wellbeing, including mental health, su***de prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer.

If you would like to host an event or get involved in an event, check out the Movember Canada website at: https://ca.movember.com.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

10/30/2025

10/27/2025

Complicated Grief and the Importance to Recognize It

Many individuals will experience what we in the bereavement profession consider normal or good grieving… however, sometimes the griever becomes stuck in their grief. Complicated grief occurs when processing the symptoms of loss persist more than two years or the griever experiences an increase in emotional episodes over time.

Causes of complicated grief include the death of a loved one by trauma or multiple losses within a short time period. Complicated grief can also occur when individual grievers struggle to avoid facing the raw emotions associated with grief. This type of grief can include long term bouts of depression and this sometimes goes unrecognized as grief. Sometimes a griever continues to dwell in their thoughts and emotions and their brain continues to replay these feelings associated with their loss.

To progress through one’s journey with grief, firstly, it is important to recognize one is experiencing grief before they are able to manage it. Grief will wait and it will resurface. It does not dissipate over time if not addressed. Admitting to these debilitating feelings of loss is the first step in moving forward.

Support from a friend who can listen to the complexity of grief symptoms without providing advice helps advance the process. Groups of strangers who are also affected by the same trauma have been known to support one another through grief recovery. Some grievers do require professional counselling to assist in opening blocked energy centers that interfere with their recovery.

The human spirit has enormous resilience and the capacity to find new meaning in life. Beginning the journey to address complicated grief can be daunting. That said, ignoring this process will cause further setbacks. The only way forward is through the grief.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

10/24/2025

Suggestions for Funeral Songs that can be used for Intros and Outros

Music is used at funerals to create special moments. Lyrics inspire reflection and stir emotions. Melodies create ambiance.

Intros help to establish the tone for the service. Will your good bye ceremony be light and breezy or a more somber and reverent event? Do you want traditional or contemporary selections? Choosing an intro song that resonates with those attending will help set the stage for a meaningful send-off.

Check out these intros to see if they match the tone of the service you are trying to create:
One More Light by Linkin Park
Ave Maria by Sarah Brightman
Asleep by The Smith’s
Smallest Wingless by Craig Cardiff

Outros often contain a final message to conclude the service. The hope is to inspire heart-warming, positive and uplifting feelings that attendees can take with them. What type of mood do you want to establish at this time? Why not choose a song that helps to create loving thoughts about the deceased or one that brings a warm smile to those who have come to say their goodbyes.

Some choices for outros are:
I Was Here by Beyoncé
Fly by Celine Dion
Make You Feel My Love by Adele
We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn

Music can be an intricate part of a service and the power of music can assist in reflecting on the life of someone that was close. Consideration on what song or songs will be used for the intro and outro is sure to be worth the effort.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

10/22/2025

Historically, religious funerals mostly aimed to help the deceased in their passage to the next life. This continues to be the case, but in modern times emphasis has shifted towards comforting the bereaved, particularly within Christian traditions

10/20/2025

View John "Jack" Oliver Herbert Reid's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.