Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes

02/13/2026

Most Canadians don’t want their family left guessing or struggling financially when the time comes.

Pre-planning isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about giving your loved ones clarity, comfort, and confidence.

A short conversation today can remove years of uncertainty tomorrow.
Call to start planning today 780-590-0626
Or book here:
https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/pre-plan/advance-planning-information

02/13/2026

Many people are afraid to pre-plan their funeral.
They worry that talking about it somehow invites it closer.

But the truth is, avoiding the conversation doesn’t stop the inevitable.
It only makes things harder for the people you love.
When there’s no plan, your family is left to make 70+ decisions while they’re grieving… without your guidance, without your voice, and often without knowing what you would have wanted.

Pre-planning isn’t about expecting death.
It’s about protecting the people who will one day have to say goodbye.
It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts you can leave behind,
clarity, comfort, and peace of mind.

https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/pre-plan/advance-planning-information

02/11/2026

Our hearts are with Tumbler Ridge

We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

As details continue to emerge, our thoughts are with the students, educators, families, first responders, and the entire community affected by this heartbreaking incident.

In moments like these, grief, shock, and confusion are natural responses, whether you are close to the community or watching from afar.
If you’re struggling with this news, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.

Take time to connect with loved ones, check in with your own wellbeing, and reach out for support if you need it.

You are not alone.

If talking with someone feels right, trusted friends, family, or a professional support resource can be grounding and helpful.
Let us hold space for healing, compassion, and solidarity with those most impacted. 🕊️

02/11/2026

Obituary Piracy — A Growing Concern for Families

Many families are unaware that when an obituary is published, third-party websites may copy it without permission and then profit from flower sales, memorial products, or “tree planting” programs.
This practice often happens without the knowledge or consent of the family or the funeral home.

A petition has now been filed with the House of Commons asking the federal government to review and ban this practice so families can retain dignity, privacy, and control over their loved one’s tribute.

The petition is open for signatures until February 26, 2026 at 4:52 PM (EDT).
If this is something that matters to you or your family, you may wish to review the petition here:
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6997

Every family deserves transparency, respect, and choice when honouring someone they love.

02/04/2026

Grief in today’s modern world looks different than it used to.

Families are smaller.
Children are sometimes estranged.
Schedules are full.
Flights are expensive.
Time feels scarce.
And too often, services are shortened or skipped entirely because “no one will come anyway.”

But here is the quiet truth we don’t say out loud enough, people do care.
More than we realize. More than we allow ourselves to believe.

Many carry grief privately now.
They scroll instead of gather.
They send a heart emoji instead of a real life hug.
They assume their presence won’t matter.
They think they missed their chance.

And some go through their final years believing they are forgotten.
Uncelebrated.
Unseen.

Grief today is not always loud.
It is often silent, postponed, compartmentalized, and hidden behind busy calendars and polite smiles.
It shows up as distance, avoidance, or the phrase, “I’m fine.”

But every life still deserves acknowledgment.
Every story still deserves to be spoken.
Every goodbye still deserves space.
Whether a room holds 200 people or two, whether a service is traditional or simple,
whether tears fall publicly or privately, being remembered matters.

If you are grieving quietly, you are not alone.
If you feel forgotten, you are not invisible.
If you think no one would show up, you may be surprised by who would stand beside you.

In a world that moves fast,
choosing to pause, to gather, to speak a name, to share a memory,
to light a candle, is an act of love.

Grief has changed,
but the human need to be seen, honoured, and remembered
has not.

02/03/2026

01/27/2026

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today, we pause to remember the six million Jewish people, and the millions of others, whose lives were lost during the Holocaust.

This day is a reminder of the profound impact of hatred, intolerance, and indifference, and the responsibility we all share to honour those who suffered by choosing compassion, dignity, and humanity.

At Connelly-McKinley, our work is rooted in remembrance, respect, and the belief that every life matters. Today, we stand in quiet reflection, holding space for memory, learning, and hope.

We remember.
We honour.
We reflect.

01/25/2026

Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes Aftercare and Document Completion Services

When you are hurting and grief feels all-consuming, the last thing you should have to worry about is paperwork, deadlines, or navigating complex systems. Yet for many families, those responsibilities arrive immediately, often before there has been time to sleep, eat, or take a full breath.

We understand that grief does not follow a schedule. It shows up as exhaustion, anxiety, mental fog, and a deep ache that touches every part of your life. Simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Making phone calls, completing government forms, waiting on hold, or trying to understand what must be done next can feel impossible when your heart is heavy and your mind is tired.

That is why we offer our Aftercare and comprehensive Document Completion Services.
We offer these services because we know how grief truly affects people:
- Sleepless nights when your mind will not rest
- Anxiety that comes from fear of missing something important
- The emotional and physical toll of loss, the quiet, persistent soul pain

Our role is to step in and carry the administrative burden for you wherever possible.
Our experienced Aftercare team completes many of the required notifications, applications, and forms on your behalf, guiding you through what must be done and handling what can be handled for you.
We act as an advocate, a guide, and a steady presence during a time when clarity is hard to find.
Our care extends beyond documentation.

Where appropriate, families are also supported through our Online Grief Care resources, with in-house grief recovery sessions coming soon.
These services are designed to meet you where you are, offering education, gentle guidance, and emotional support as you begin to process your loss in your own time and in your own way.

This is not about paperwork alone. It is about compassion in action.

By easing the logistical weight that follows a death, and by offering ongoing grief support, we create space for you to rest, to grieve, and to care for yourself and your family, without the constant pressure of “what needs to be done next.”
We continue to walk alongside you in the weeks and months after the funeral, ensuring important details are addressed with care, accuracy, and respect.
We offer this care because grief deserves gentleness.
Because no one should have to navigate loss alone.
And because healing begins when you are supported, not rushed.




https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/about/professional-aftercare-services

01/24/2026

Our Director of Catholic Relations, Aimee Anderson, was honoured to be invited to the Mass of Installation for the Most Reverend Stephen Andrew Hero as the eighth Archbishop of Edmonton.

We welcome Archbishop Hero and offer our heartfelt congratulations as he begins this important chapter of leadership and service within our Catholic community.

01/19/2026

Blue Monday: Gentle Ways to Care for Yourself

Today is often referred to as Blue Monday, a time when many people feel heavier, more tired, or emotionally drained. For those carrying grief, loss, or change, days like this can feel especially difficult.

If today feels heavy, here are a few gentle ways to manage:
Ways to support your well-being today

Lower expectations. Some days are for doing less, and that’s okay.

Seek light. Open the curtains, step outside briefly, or sit near a window.

Connect. A short phone call or message can ease isolation.

Move gently. A slow walk or light stretching can help shift energy.

Be kind to yourself. Grief and sadness are not something to “fix.” They deserve care.

You don’t need to feel positive. You don’t need to feel productive.
You only need to take the next kind step for yourself.

If you or your family need support, guidance, or someone to talk to, our team is here.
Today and every day.
You are not alone.

12/31/2025

As we close one chapter and step gently into a new year, we hold space for both gratitude and grief.

For many, this season is filled with mixed emotions, moments of remembrance, moments of love, and moments of quiet strength.

To the families we have served, thank you for trusting us during life’s most tender moments.

May the coming year bring comfort, peace, and the continued presence of love in your hearts.

12/25/2025

Today, as families gather in warmth, love, and tradition, we pause with deep gratitude for the families who have trusted us during some of the most tender moments of their lives. It is an honour to walk alongside you, to serve with care, and to help carry the love and legacy of those who mean so much.

We also hold close in our hearts those who are grieving today. Christmas can feel very different when someone dear is missing. Please know that you are not alone, we see your courage, we honour your love, and we are holding space for you.

From our family to yours, we wish you peace, comfort, and gentle moments of hope this Christmas. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. It is a privilege we never take for granted.