Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home

03/23/2026

Bertha Eudora (Morris) Adshade - 80, Debert, passed away after a lengthy illness at Wynn Park Villa, Truro, on Friday, March 20. Eudora was born in Great ...

03/23/2026

Grieving Anniversaries

For many who grieve, the first year following the death of a loved one can be difficult, filled with sadness and loneliness. The griever must navigate a year of firsts, anniversaries and special days, once which were a time of happiness… which now shine a light on the void left behind by the loss of someone close.

Christmas, instead of holding a time of great anticipation and excitement is replaced by anxiety and dread. The desire to create a normal holiday with family members becomes conflicted with crippling emotions associated with grief. New Years celebrations toasted with hopes of a new and happy beginning now offer a grim reminder that dreams also die along with the people we love.

Birthdays bring memories of years gone by and anniversaries celebrate events such as weddings and new births in the family. Instead of these holding joy and comfort, they introduce unexpected times of loneliness even in the midst of a roomful of people. The one-year anniversary of the date of death often presents emotional challenges to the griever as they anticipate, prepare for and navigate it.

There are practices that a griever can initiate to make the first year as easy as possible. These include making choices that reflect feelings from the heart, providing loved ones with information about personal needs, having positive conversations about the deceased, and putting in place a plan and following through on it. Sometimes relief from conflicted feelings is found by talking through challenges with a trusted friend. Adapting to the changes grief presents takes courage, an open mind and a willingness to move forward in the absence of a beloved.

Generally, family and friends want to help, to in some way make the griever feel better. However, offering support and kind words will only help to a limited extent. Healing is only possible as feelings and emotions are processed by the griever’s mind and heart. This journey essentially belongs to the griever alone.

As the year of firsts comes to an end, much soul-searching and healing has taken place and those who grieve find themselves in a better position with the unknowns that are associated with grief now having been experienced. With their lives returning to a new normal, it is hoped that joys have begun to reappear in day-to-day routines and the griever has found new activities and relationships that provide added meaning to their life.

A postscript: Some say that navigating the second year of anniversaries can hold two unexpected realities that may surprise. The world has moved on taking year one supporters back to their busy lives meaning they pay less attention to the bereaved. At the same time, the griever experiences apprehension caused by the fact that their beloved may be forgotten as conversations about them diminish. Again, personal courage may be called on to foster a new sense of understanding and independence.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/21/2026

Percy Edward McCallum - Valley, Colchester County passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in the Palliative Care Unit of Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, ...

03/20/2026

Carla Leslie (Crowell) Murphy – 76, Portapique. It is with great heartbreak that we announce the sudden passing of Carla on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Sunrise, Florida. ...

03/20/2026

Invite Them to Your Gathering

People often unintentionally withdraw from those who grieve. Many do not have experience in providing support to family or friends who are dealing with loss, sometimes awkward in their presence, sometimes not knowing what to say when consoling. As a result, the bereaved can experience a secondary loss: daily interactions with people, especially when they have lost a partner.

Mourners tend to isolate. They often resist reaching out to others for fear of becoming a burden. Therefore, it is important to take the first step by inviting someone who has experienced a recent loss to gatherings, whether it be a family dinner, an upcoming event or a even a simple social outing.

Why is social support so important? Many grief experts believe it is a key element in recovery. Being with others helps decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can inadvertently lead to mental health issues like depression and even substance abuse. Connecting with people improves mental health by providing something to look forward to and a reason to move away from isolation. Once out in the company of others, grievers are often reminded that amidst the pain, life still holds moments of happiness and joy.

So, whether it’s an upcoming wedding, a family dinner or even an outing to a park, remember to invite the bereaved, providing them with an opportunity to interact with others and find the social support they need during their period of grief recovery.

© Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/17/2026

Carol M. Munsie - 60, Hilden, passed away after a brief battle with lung cancer on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Colchester East Hants ...

03/17/2026

Catherine Helen MacRae - 70, Truro, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Catherine was known for her adventurous spirit, compassionate heart, generous care ...

03/17/2026

03/17/2026

Walter Willis DeCoste – 89, Lower Truro. We, the Walter’s nieces and nephews are sad to announce the peaceful passing of our dear uncle ...

03/16/2026

Carl Ernest Hamilton – 90, Bible Hill passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Truro, he was a son ...

03/15/2026

Funerals of the Famous
Some Unique and Fascinating Details about their Service

In 1980, John Lennon was murdered. At his vigil in Central Park, fans and mourners honoured him with 10 minutes of silence. One minute can seem like an eternity when reflecting; ten must have had a profound effect on all in attendance. Yoko Ono commemorates her husband by lighting a candle and placing it on the window sill of their apartment, every year on the anniversary of his death. A memorial named Strawberry Fields was dedicated in 1985 in Central Park as a tribute to his life and legacy.

In 1990 Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was honoured with two memorial services after his death. One was held in New York and the other in London, places where Henson had worked extensively during his career. His request was that no one in attendance wear black. Both services included Bible readings, hymns and of course appearances from the Muppet’s ensemble. “Just One Person” was selected as the closing song.

In 2005, Canadian James Doohan best known as Scotty on the original Star Trek died and his cremated remains were among the first to be flown into and jettisoned into outer space. Doohan also had service in the Canadian military where he landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. As part of this operation he would be shot six times, one bullet resulting in the amputation of a finger. Doohan truly was a man who participated in many noteworthy missions.

© Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/12/2026

David Roy