Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

04/06/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Maureen Foley
Dwayne Giroux
Lani Jassman
Alfred 'Allan' Longworth
Slavica 'Sylvia' Luksa
Dennis van Westerborg

04/05/2026

Happy Easter

We hope you all have a peaceful and happy Easter and are able to gather with loved ones as part of your family traditions.

To those in our community of Christian faith, Easter is the three-day period following the death of Christ; it is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of their calendar year.

04/02/2026

Finding Paradise
“In Paradisum” Antiphon

At the end of the service, as the body is leaving the church, this requiem is sung by the choir in traditional Latin Liturgy. Historically, it is associated with the official ending of the church service.

“May the angels lead you into paradise;
may the martyrs receive you at your arrival
and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem.

May choirs of angels receive you
and with Lazarus, once a poor man,
may you have eternal rest."

Author Unknown

03/31/2026

Prearranging, We’ll Help You Find Your Best Choice

There are many more options for a family to choose from than there were in the past. Traditional casket funerals are still common, though cremation, as a choice, has also become a more frequent option. Services are also beginning to be less religious with many choosing secular type ceremonies.

In the funeral profession, over the years, we have been adapting to changing attitudes about remembering a loved one and celebrating a life. It’s surprising how many new ways and ideas to pay tribute to someone there are. Personalization is a term that will be at the forefront of how a service is delivered for many years to come.

The considerable experience a funeral director brings with them and the ability to listen and understand to what is needed to remember and honour a loved one adds value to each and every family we talk with. Prearranging… having that conversation… exploring options, learning about different scenarios and the consequences of various choices, and deciding on the type of service which best meets your family’s needs holds considerable benefit for all.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/30/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Maureen Foley
Dwayne Giroux
Lani Jassman
Slavica 'Sylvia' Luksa
Floyd Shillington

03/28/2026

Looking at Life Through Grief Lenses:
Or Cultivating Hope to Heal a Heart

Navigating loss is an individual grief journey that changes life’s planned direction. Initially, life appears dark and for some even hopeless however there is a way forward that lies within. “You won’t always feel this way” is a promise offered by many in the grief profession. Grievers are often slow to accept this reality as their struggle with a myriad of emotions is real.

Hope must lead the process. Small steps can be taken by focusing on what is still good in life. Appreciating the deceased for what they gave in life rather than what was lost with their death honours the deceased while fostering an attitude of acceptance. It is possible to establish hope by initiating reasonable daily practices. It begins with writing down goals, learning to problem solve, engaging in self-care, introducing creative activities and celebrating achievements. The goal is to decrease the frequent replaying of negative thoughts.

Positive feelings and hope can be further nurtured in different ways. Spending time with supportive persons, stepping out into nature, practicing meditation, and even playing and having a dialogue with a young child can uncover joys that lead towards a grateful heart.

Some grievers find hope by connecting with other grievers and some benefit from professional counselling as they receive guidance through this complex journey. The key however lies within, to move towards a new and meaningful life is to choose to direct self-talk that includes hope until it becomes habitual.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/26/2026

Hearses have been around for a long time in various shapes and forms. At first, they were rudimentary structures---from stretchers that transported the

03/25/2026

We, at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel are honoured to serve the family of such a special lady, Maureen Foley. Our thoughts are with her family.

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Maureen Mary Foley who passed gently into the loving arms of her heavenly father on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Medicine Hat.

03/24/2026

Memorial Tattoos Evolving to a New Level

Memorial tattoos have existed for centuries, providing a permanent inked tribute to a loved one. Depending on where the tattoo is located, the image, name or symbol can serve as a private or public expression of the person and the relationship lost.

A relatively new tattooing process is gaining popularity which allows for the infusion of a small amount of a loved one’s ashes into the ink to create an even more personal connection. The ash-infused ink is then applied to the skin by a skilled tattoo artist. The artist will require very fine, sifted ashes to prevent the ink from clogging, but when complete, the tattoo will look no different from a regular one.

For health and safety, it is recommended to only use a trusted tattoo artist and to ensure the ashes are handled in a safe manner, which may require the assistance of a specialized company to process, sterilize and mix the remains with the ink.

Getting a commemorative tattoo infused with a loved one’s remains will not be for everyone, but it can serve as a powerful way to remember a loved one while always keeping them close.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/23/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Maureen Foley
Dwayne Giroux
Lani Jassman
Alfred 'Allen' Longworth

03/20/2026

Giving Comfort to Those Who Struggle

It’s difficult to know how to help a friend who is grieving, but don’t let your discomfort stop you from reaching out. Now more than ever, your friend needs support. They don’t expect you to have all the answers or to always say the right thing. All they want is for you to be there, helping them to cope and heal.

Helping tips:
• Listen to what they have to say
Grievers like to talk about their lost loved one. Let them lead the conversation and encourage them to share stories. Don’t avoid talking about the death or change the subject to something more pleasant.
• Offer practical help
The grief journey is new to most people and they often don’t know what they want or need. Perhaps they are hesitant to ask for help, not wanting to be a bother. Take the initiative by calling them and offering to do a specific task such as shopping for groceries or running errands; dropping off a homemade meal; driving them to appointments; taking their dog for a walk; or babysitting their children. They may also appreciate help with housework, such as cleaning, laundry or meal prep.
• Continue the support
For many people, life goes back to normal after the funeral, but for those grieving a loss, life will never be the same. Grievers are often forgotten in the days and weeks after the funeral. Make a point to call and check-in on them regularly. Invite them to join you in activities such as a walk, a meal out or a shopping excursion. Or spend time sitting with them, looking through photo albums or doing a jigsaw puzzle.

It’s hard to know the best ways to help those in grief, but the only way to find out is with the gift of your time and comfort.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/17/2026

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Edward Berger
Colleen Dehmke
Lynne St. Onge
Floyd Shillington
Joan Taylor