We’ve talked with many Torontonians here at Affordable Burials and Cremations who describe a feeling of melancholy that settles in during late fall. Some call it an emptiness; others refer to it as a sense of dread. At the root, it’s a lingering sadness that a loved one has died and the holidays are coming – ready or not. Numerous members of our care team have lost a special friend or family member this past year, and we understand the pain firsthand. We also understand that “big days” have a way of magnifying grief like no other. Most of us read more …
Your Questions about Cremation…Answered
For families in the Toronto area, the choice of whether to have a traditional burial or cremation can be very personal. You have to take into consideration preferences, religious and cultural beliefs, and budget. At Affordable Burials and Cremations, we believe, ultimately, you have decide what makes sense for you and your family. With more people choosing cremation, it is important to be informed before making any decisions about funeral arrangements. If you are considering cremation, you might be unsure if you can have a visitation or funeral service with cremation. Perhaps you have questions about how it’s possible to read more …
How to Honor a Loved One During the Holiday Season
At Affordable Burials and Cremations, we’ve been helping our neighbors in the Toronto area navigate the difficult emotions associated with losing a loved one for more than a century. Over and over again, we’ve witnessed firsthand just how heartbreaking and devastating the aftermath of losing a loved one can be — and we also understand that grief can come and go in waves. Grief can be more challenging during certain times of the year, especially around the holidays when it becomes more apparent that our loved ones are missing from our annual traditions and festivities. As we embark upon this read more …
4 Tips When It’s Time to Care for an Aging Parent
There is good news to share on the current health of our society: people are living longer than ever before. With that news comes a caveat, in that longer life spans confront us with new and often daunting challenges, especially when it comes to caring for an aging family member. Sometimes, crisis strikes suddenly, and responsibility for a loved one becomes thrust onto your shoulders. Your mother falls and breaks a hip. Dad experiences a side effect of his medication. Other times, the weight of becoming a caregiver comes gradually, giving you time to plan and make arrangements for your read more …
Expressing Gratitude During Difficult Times
Our role at Affordable Burials and Cremations gives us a unique perspective into how valuable life is and how challenging it can be. As we help our neighbors in Toronto plan funerals, and visitations, we see the overwhelming love people have for each other, as well as the pain and grief that accompany death. When a loved one dies, it’s natural to focus on how much you have lost. How will you move on without that special person by your side? How can you begin to make sense of what happened? How do you work through the complex emotions – read more …
Why Wouldn’t You Pre-Plan?
Most of us don’t like to think about our mortality – let alone plan for it. Sure, we make arrangements for other events in life, but what about when it comes to the end of life? Think of the planning involved when you make a significant purchase or organize a vacation or party. Not to mention the thought and time you invest thinking (and, perhaps, dreaming) about retirement! When it comes to your end-of-life wishes, have you given any consideration to your funeral plans and how you’d like to have people remember you? The good news is that this kind read more …
8 Tips for Managing Grief During the Holidays
For families in the Toronto area who have lost a loved one recently, we know the holidays are going to look and feel different. Our caring team at Affordable Burials and Cremations sees this every day as we meet with our neighbors to plan cremations and burials. This time of year comes with its own set of expectations. We anticipate the joy and festivities for 11 months. We look forward to seeing loved ones, reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying beloved traditions. But after losing someone special, everything changes. We have the advice to share on practical ways to take read more …
4 Tips for Sorting Through a Loved One’s Belongings After Death
Families who come to Affordable Burials and Cremations from all around Toronto often tell us that one of the most heartbreaking moments of losing a loved one is returning to an empty home filled with memories – and possessions. Organizing items that have been collected over the decades is a daunting but necessary task, and our caring team is here to offer our advice on how to proceed. We understand this is one of life’s most stressful responsibilities, especially when you’re already coping with loss. After all, giving away a loved one’s possessions can feel like you’re giving away a read more …
Funeral Etiquette: What to Do and What Not to Do
Knowing what to say and do at a funeral service can be tricky and, at times, possibly even awkward. Above all else, it’s important to remember that the needs of the grieving family come first. This is their opportunity to show how important their loved one was to them and to express their love and appreciation for the life this person lived. Our team here at Affordable Burials and Cremations knows that attending a funeral service is a crucial way of showing your support during this very difficult time. As it’s such a pivotal and intimate occasion, you might feel read more …