Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

11/10/2025

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

Manfred Czember
Ivan Gomke
Terri Kusiak
W. Kim Marchand

11/07/2025

Timely Reminder: It is Never Too Late or Too Early to Make a Will

National Wills Month is celebrated every November in Canada, making it the perfect time to contemplate writing a will if you haven’t done so already. Wills not only provide peace of mind, knowing your family and the causes you care about are supported after your death, they also save loved ones undue hardship and stress.

No one enjoys talking or thinking about death, but not having a will creates confusion and uncertainty. A will allows you to appoint the executor of your estate, while also naming who inherits your possessions and/or becomes guardians of your children. Without a will, the government makes these decisions for you, but only after a lengthy probate process, leading to unnecessary delays and sometimes, even worse, family animosity.

Here at the funeral home, we do not deal directly with wills as the document is usually unsealed only after the funeral. However, having a will helps us determine who is allowed to make funeral arrangements on your behalf. It ensures the funeral director is dealing with the right person – your executor or next of kin with authorization – resulting in a smoother funeral process and allowing loved ones to focus on their grief instead of all the paperwork.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

11/06/2025

We, at Cook Southland are honoured to serve the family of the late Ivan Gomke. Our thoughts are with his family. Please click the obit for more information and service details.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our father, brother, uncle and dear friend, Ivan Grant Gomke. He passed away at his home in Medicine Hat on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the age of 70 years.

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.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

11/03/2025

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

Manfred Czember
Garry Deringer
Terri Kusiak
Ella Van Maarion

11/01/2025

Supporting Movember

Hey, wait a minute. Why does my doctor have a mustache today? And why is the bank teller looking so scruffy? Come to think about it, a lot of men out on the street are sporting facial hair and almost all the hockey players on TV last night were too. Of yes, it’s November! Otherwise known as Movember, a global event aiming to change the face of men’s health.

Some say men’s health is in crisis. Statistics show men die on average 4.5 years younger than their female counterparts and largely from preventable causes. Globally, close to 10.8 million are dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis, while testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer among young men. On top of that, men’s mental health is suffering, resulting in a su***de every minute of every day.

From funding groundbreaking projects on prostate and testicular cancer to providing mental health and su***de prevention programs, Movember uniquely tackles these challenges. Since 2003, the fundraising campaign has supported over 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo of past years and transforming the way men view their health.

We all have men we love: partners, fathers, brothers, sons, uncles and friends. Donating and raising awareness through Movember can help us build a future with healthier men leading to happier families, better relationships and thriving communities.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

10/31/2025

The Nurse Honor Guard consists of volunteer nurses that give nurses a lasting dedication upon their death.

10/29/2025

Preplanning, an Ideal Time to Ask us Questions

So, you’ve decided to learn about preplanning and what’s involved in arranging a service. You’ve scheduled an appointment and will be meeting with us soon.

In this meeting we will be listening closely to your wishes to help us determine your needs. Part of what we do is learn about your family; we learn about events in your life where you share important aspects of relationships, life passions and accomplishments. Listening is very much a part of the process.

So, ask those questions. If you’re not familiar with funeral services, ask us to present various options that are being chosen by today’s families. Ask us about the differences between having services that have a casket or an urn as the main focus. Ask about religious or nonreligious options. Ask about pricing based on the level of service provided.

We will help guide you through all of the necessary questions you will have. Preplanning allows us an opportunity to have a chat with you, where your questions are answered and you become acquainted with the information you need to know.

If you wish to talk with us, please contact us.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

10/27/2025

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

Leontina Batsel
Joanne Krutzler
Terri Kusiak
Ella Van Maarion

10/24/2025

Stone Coffins Through the Ages

Have you ever heard of a sarcophagus? It’s a stone coffin adorned with sculpture or inscriptions, first associated with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome.

The earliest traces of stone coffins date back to the Egyptians of the 3rd dynasty. These purposefully designed receptacles represented palaces built using mud-brick architecture with ornamental doors and windows. Wood and limestone would become more popular in the 11th dynasty, followed by papyrus sheets, wood, pottery or stone shaped sarcophagi resembling human forms. Unless, of course, you were royalty like Tutankhamun. Then these coffins were made from silver or gold.

Elaborately painted terracotta coffins were popular in the Aegean area of Greece. The Phoenicians developed white marble coffins and Ancient Romans used metal, plaster or limestone vessels, often carved with the image of the deceased posing in a reclined position.

In the early modern era, a lack of space made stone coffins impractical in churches. In this period, chest tombs or false sarcophagi gained popularity, especially in 18th and 19th century Britain. Made usually from stone, wood, clay or plaster, they were essentially empty or bottomless cases that were placed over an outdoor burial plot, with the decedent’s co**se placed within it.

Over the last 150 years, common burial of the deceased is usually performed with a wooden casket or coffin, though metal caskets are also used by some, to better preserve the body of the deceased. Additionally, burial vaults are regularly used for additional protection, where the casket is placed and then sealed within these structures. They are constructed with a variety of materials including concrete, metals and polyurethanes.

The protection of the co**se of someone of importance or of a loved one is still a common occurrence; the peace of mind in laying to rest someone close is sought by many. And the stone sarcophagi discussed above still exist today, but they are typically reserved for only high-profile or royal burials.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

10/22/2025

Acknowledging the Loss of a Loved One and Processing Grief

One cannot process grief until they first accept that the body, mind and spirit are responding to a significant loss in everyday life. Acknowledgement is key.

This loss brings with it a chemical response that affects how a griever thinks and feels. Our death denying society often dictates that we need to grin and bear it, or to give it time heal so that we can get back to normal.

For some, it is tempting to medicate the pain and or deny the process. The public accolades we get about how well we are doing ignore the reality of our personal feelings. It is important to remember that grief is not a problem to be managed but a journey of hurt and pain to be experienced. Just as a fractured bone requires care, a broken heart must be supported and allowed to mend.

For some, grief can be ignored for a while, but it must never be denied, as it will resurface at an inopportune time at some point in the future. The suffering a griever experiences is typically not relieved just by interactions with well-wishers, though having someone close, who is a non-judgmental listener may help them access positive feelings and happy hormones with the comfort that is shared.

Research supports that talking and crying and journaling are proven methods that help release some raw emotions. Remember, grief is not a sign of weakness but a direct response to the amount of lost love.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

10/20/2025

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

Leontina Batsel
Joanne Krutzler
Ella Van Maarion
Lyle Merritt