Tompkins Funeral Home

04/10/2026

View Richard Earl Dorey's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/08/2026

Death. It's kind of a heavy subject. And, according to Stephen Cave, we fear it so much that we avoid thinking about it at all costs -- even when death is ex...

04/05/2026

View Dennis Leo Reid's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter

Our team at Tompkins Funeral Home hope you have a day filled with happiness, shared with family and loved ones.

To families and individuals of Christian faith in our community, we wish you peace and joy as you celebrate the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection.

04/02/2026

View Charles Daniel Spencer's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/01/2026

Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Mourning the death of a spouse is, without doubt, one of the most difficult things someone will ever have to experience in their lifetime.

If they die at a young age, the unfairness of this has a profound impact on the survivor. If they die at an old age, perhaps the couple was married for decades and this absence is sure to be felt deeply.

Regardless of the age one loses a significant other, there are likely a multitude of responsibilities that need to be tended to in the short and near term. It is incumbent on the survivor to assume these.

If you know of someone who has recently lost a spouse, offer your support. Helping them with their new responsibilities is sure to ease this burden. Be someone they can talk to, someone who listens to their struggles. They may need someone new to confide in.

It is not uncommon for those who grieve the loss of spouse to experience the feelings that accompany grief for at least a year. Being patient at this time is considerate of the relationship they shared with their loved one.

April is International Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month. If a family member or friend has lost a spouse, be that person whom they can count on, someone who has their best interests at heart.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/25/2026

What are Funerary Rituals?

Rituals are defined as any stylized and repetitive actions, words, or performances that are done within a group or by an individual. Some will visit the grave of a loved one each year on the anniversary of their death; sometimes families will set aside time to honour one of their own on occasions such as Christmastime. Rituals can also be based on religion, honouring practices from the past.

Funerary rituals are based on saying good-byes and paying tribute, and are used when it comes to mourning a loved one. One common ritual is wearing certain tones of colour, which in Canada is typically black or other muted colours. Other present-day rituals involve singing particular songs, reading certain passages, displaying photos of a loved one and gathering for refreshment after a service.

What is the importance of ritual and why do we perform them? Rituals typically involve very pro-social behaviour, which means, they bring a community together; this holds many intangible benefits for all in attendance, especially during tough times. Funerary rituals provide a setting to remember and grieve someone special, and an opportunity to express emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Lastly, rituals help mourners to come to terms with a new reality, one where a beloved is no longer there. This is especially significant when it comes to mourning the loss of a spouse, parent or child.

In conclusion, with shared actions and words, rituals provide an essential space for collective mourning, emotional expression, and remembrance. They not only provide an opportunity to honor the deceased but also allow the living to find support in times of grief.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/25/2026

View Rhonda Gail Green's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/20/2026

Ode to 1926, Celebrating Life 100 Years Ago

The year 1926 was a time of economic prosperity for Canada and around the world. Domestically, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police base was established on Ellesmere Island – the northernmost part of Canada – asserting its claim in the Arctic region. Canada also moved back to the gold standard in 1926, a monetary system pe***ng the Canadian dollar in relation to gold. In global relations, Vincent Massey was appointed Canada’s first foreign minister to the U.S.

On a lighter note, the Great Stork Derby kicked off in 1926, in Toronto when proceeds from Charles Vance Millar’s will spearheaded a ten-year contest to see who could have the most babies. The $500K prize was split between four women with nine babies each.

In science and technology, Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fuelled rocket in Massachusetts, kicking off what some believed was the start of the space age; the modest flight saw an altitude of just 56 metres. Other inventions of the year included the aerosol spray can developed by Norwegian chemical engineer Erik Rotheim and the gas fridge patented by Electrolux-Servel.

In the world of entertainment, Thomas Edison held firm to his belief that Americans preferred silent movies and would never support the “talkies.” He would be proven wrong, with the airing of the movie “Don Juan” at theatres a few months later. It was the first feature-length film to use the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system with a synchronized musical score and sound effects (although no spoken dialogue).

Other world news included:
• NBC launched operations.
• A.A. Milne published “Winnie the Pooh.”
• Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio became Walt Disney Studio.
• American Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel. Her time of 14 hours, 31 minutes was a record for both men and women, at that time.

An interesting quote from that year came from Nikola Tesla: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this but … we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face … a man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket.”

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/17/2026

View Clarence Henry Vanslyke's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/16/2026

03/16/2026

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