Green's Funeral Home
507 Bernard St. B9A 2V2 Port Hawkesbury, NS, Canada

Grief and Identity Redefining who you are After Loss Family, societal roles, culture, friends, and interests are key aspects that define who we are. When Jim died, Joanna struggled to make sense of her new identity without him. Their relationship had spanned more than 40 years and the very fabric of her sense of self was challenged by her new reality. They had shared so much of life together and without him by her side, she began exhibiting anxiety, fear, and reported feeling... lost and alone. Joanna was also facing secondary losses, which included changes to personal finances, friends, family, and home life. These demands were overwhelming and left her feeling depressed. All of these emotions that were surfacing in Joanna’s case are completely normal in the grieving journey. While hard to palette, Joanna had to not only accept her loss, but to also learn how to live independently. To begin the healing process, we started by normalizing Joanna’s grief reaction through education. She also joined a spousal loss support group and by spending time with others who were also grieving she began to understand that she was not alone. Our next step was to help Joanna reinvest in life again, by encouraging her to try new things and revisit old hobbies. She had always loved to dance. She enrolled in a dance fitness class, where she met other women who likewise shared this passion. Joanna also began to actively mourn Jim’s death by meeting with their old friends and establishing a program in Jim’s name to make sure his memory lived on. The group met, shared stories, tears, and laughter about their life with Jim. Lastly, a dream of Joanna’s had been to open up her home to foster rescue dogs when she retired. In realizing this vision she took on new responsibilities, added companionship to her life and acquired a renewed sense of community. While Joanna still misses Jim, she reported that she has begun to enjoy her life again. Taking the time to rebuild a new life without Jim had been challenging, but it had none the less empowered and transformed for her. Margaret Lorrie Beaton, MA, C. Hyp Bereavement Counsellor Green's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Gloria Patricia Gillis March 24, 1947 - March 23, 2021

When Urns are Left Unclaimed at a Funeral Home Typical cremation arrangements have next of kin signing paperwork to proceed with the cremation process. Following cremation, the remains are placed in an urn, which is subsequently returned to the family to either place at a cemetery, scatter or keep at home. Sometimes there is a plan for the urn and it is kept at the funeral home in safe keeping for a short period of time. Perhaps the family is waiting till spring to inter th...e urn. However, from time to time, next of kin will not follow up with the funeral home after cremation, and the urn remains at the funeral home, unclaimed. This is not an ideal situation. Some urns will remain for periods of time greater than one year. Most funeral homes have policies to await instruction from next of kin. There will not be any further actions with respect to the urn until further instructions are provided. In the meantime, the remains of a relative or friend are stored on a shelf, or in a cupboard. The location is secure, but it is by no means an ideal final resting place. When an urn is not retrieved by next of kin efforts are made to contact them, and sometimes these caretakers of the deceased are unreachable. Essential communications need to occur or the urn is left in a state of limbo. It is important to have a plan which includes the disposition of the urn and the final location where the cremated remains of the deceased will be placed. This may be a traditional location such as at a cemetery where the dearly departed can be visited in the future, or perhaps a meaningful location in nature where the urn can be scattered. Be sure to talk with your director to find out what is legally permitted. The urn will be kept in safe keeping in the meantime. To know more about your options and, step by step, what is possible with an urn following cremation, please contact us. Green's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Lost for Words Many of us fumble for words, sometimes even in normal day to day situations. So it’s no surprise that we feel awkward when meeting and expressing condolences at a wake or funeral service. It’s important to remember that just being present to support the family is, in itself, a kind gesture and will be remembered. You’ve taken the time to show them you care about them and their loss. Take a moment to think about what you’re going to say in advance. Some ideas fo...llow. Standard expressions of condolence include: I am sorry for your loss. My sincere or deepest sympathies. My condolences. They will be dearly missed. I am here for you. If there’s anything I can do to help. Please call. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you want to say more: I wish I had the right words. Know that I care. They brought so much joy to others. They will be fondly remembered. May the memories you’ve shared bring you comfort and peace. Share a special virtue they possessed and tell a story about it. Share a personal experience you had with them and something they taught you about life. Share something special about them that has benefited others. Always use kind words. Say the name of the deceased. Remember that expressions of sympathy are to comfort. Avoid sayings such as they are in a better place. Being sincere and present in the moment is especially important at times such as these. Green's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Add Some Newness to Your Day! We’ve been hunkered down for some time now. The days, have turned into weeks and now months. New routines are developing. Interactions with loved ones at home are evolving. Many are experiencing restlessness and many of us are wondering when the end will be in sight. There is no better time than now to inject some creativity into our lives. Some newness is sure to give us moments of joy and perhaps even the stuff of memories. ... The question then becomes what can we do to make a particular day special? Meals create an opportunity on many levels. If you have a young family, maybe this is a good time to introduce a cooking or baking lesson. If everyone at home are adults, why not experiment with some gourmet cuisine. Maybe your meal won’t turn out to be quite as good as what the chefs create, but the experience of buying different ingredients, learning a new recipe and the interactions you have with your favourite people will be fun. Why not have a glass of wine when you’re preparing the meal? Having a gourmet night once a week is sure to be something you’ll look forward to. Why not play some games. If you have a young family, wait till nighttime and play some hide and seek with as few lights on as possible. Bring out the playing cards, board games, chess and checkers boards. Keep a running tally. Have a tournament. Devote some time to this activity every day or second day. It will help pass the time. There are many more activities out there to help us pass the time. Do you have any suggestions which are working for you and yours? Green's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Crafting Memory Pieces Whether it’s creating a keepsake for yourself or as a gift for someone close, crafting can provide joy and meaning to the bereaved following the death of a loved one. Below are some ideas for making something special and personal to remember your beloved. ... https://www.pinterest.com/pin/363243526166108242/ Memory Candles https://www.pinterest.com/pin/230528074649825472/ Memory Ornaments https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158963061824282442/ Memory Trees If possible, include a picture, or an expression or quote to create a truly unique piece. Visit a local craft store to get ideas. Imagine placing your special ornament on the Christmas tree each year, making a living memory, one that endures time. Or repurposing an item such as a watch so that the memory of them is always close by. Making and then displaying simple items such as these provides both peace and joy. Memory pieces are another chance for us to remember and reflect on the special bonds that were shared. Green's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

In Memory Of John Francis Green January 02, 1978 - November 25, 2019 It was on this day in 2019, that John was taken from us. Much has happened over the course of this last year, yet today we find ourselves remembering John as a son, a brother, a partner, a friend, a funeral director, a community leader, an association member and executive. ... John simply knew so many people and had many special relationships that were both personal and professional. His welcoming ways, whether it be his smile or the twinkle in his eye, let anyone who had the good fortune to meet him know that they were welcome as a friend. And his circle of friends was vast, extending across communities and even across our nation. Always, highly regarded and well thought of by peers, he was instrumental in many initiatives. Today, let’s take a moment and remember how John touched our lives. Maybe share a story about him, say a prayer or tip a glass in his honour. He was one of the good ones. Gone too young and too soon. God bless. If you wish to share a story or pic in the comments below in memory, please do so.