Kearney Funeral Services
219 6th St V3L3A3 New Westminster, BC, Canada

Here are a few things to keep in mind for memorials and funerals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the BC province's new restrictions: - Delaying a service can also make it increasingly complicated to later reach out to family and friends. - A memorial does not have to consist of a large funeral, rather it can be any ritual or process that will help families and loved ones grieve and find solace.... - While public health advisories have affected how people gather during the pandemic, the manner in which memorials are staged has adapted. - Under current guidelines, no more than 50 people are permitted at a service at a place of worship, and all attending must be pre-registered. Additionally, social distancing must be maintained, as well as face coverings, and limiting the amount of people who are able to come in to the funeral home for appointments. - At the funeral home or chapel (not considered a place of worship), only those in your core bubble may be present for any visitation or service. - Using a reputable firm that not only understands the guidelines, but also adheres to them closely is vital to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff at each ceremony. https://bit.ly/35Ukwde

All Souls' Day| November 2 Also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, All Souls Day follows All Saints' Day. Christians who observe All Souls' Day commemorate and pray for the souls of their faithfully departed loved ones. All Souls' Day is part of the season of Allhallowtide (October 31 - November 2) a "time to remember the dead, including martyrs, saints, and all faithful departed Christians."

Funeral Traditions Tower of Silence A dakhma, also known as the Tower of Silence, is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation for dead bodies to be exposed to carrion birds, such as vultures.... Zoroastrian tradition considers a dead body (in addition to cut hair and nails) to be "nasu" - unclean. Specifically, the corpse demon was believed to rush into the body and contaminate everything it came into contact with, hence the "Vendidad" (an ecclesiastical code "given against the demons") has rules for disposing of the dead as safely as possible. The modern-day towers, which are fairly uniform in their construction, have an almost flat roof, with the perimeter being slightly higher than the centre. The roof is divided into three concentric rings: the bodies of men are arranged around the outer ring, women in the second circle, and children in the innermost ring. Once the bones have been bleached by the sun and wind, which can take as long as a year, they are collected in an ossuary pit at the centre of the tower, where assisted by lime they gradually disintegrate, and the remaining material with run-off rainwater runs through multiple coal and sand filters before being eventually washed out to sea. Source: Wikipedia https://bit.ly/35qi3Z8

All Saints' Day | November 1 Also known as All Hallows' Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is part of a festival celebrated in Christianity, beginning with All Hallow's Eve (October 31) to All Souls' Day (November 2) to honour all saints known and unknown, and to honour the faithfully departed. This stems from the belief of a powerful spiritual bond between those in Heaven, and those who are living. Families will often attend church today, and flowers, candles, and blessings are often offered at the graves of their deceased loved ones.

Kearney History Ellen Kearney Crean When Frank Kearney died suddenly of an asthma attack in 1975, his sister Ellen (Kearney) Crean and her two sons, Thomas and Michael were left to continue the family business. In 1979 they repurchased Columbia Chapel, and in 1991 purchased S. Bowell and Sons from the Loewen Group Inc - known today as the Kearney Columbia-Bowell Chapel in New Westminster.

Frequently Asked Questions What are the benefits of pre-planning a funeral service? Pre-planning your funeral service can considerably ease a difficult time later on. It ensures your loved ones are taken care of. The stress of decision making after a loss can put significant strain on families. Pre-planning and pre-arranging removes the pressure and allows friends and family to simply focus on planning your service without undue anxiety.... Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information, or to contact us on how we can help you and your family with pre-planning options.

Remembrance Day November 11 Today we honour and remember our veterans who have served and those who continue to serve our country in times of war, conflict, and peace.... This year will look a bit different, as officials are asking the public to observe Remembrance Day at home, and remember in place by watching services online. Lest we forget.

Funeral Traditions Death Masks A death mask is typically a wax or plaster cast of a person's face after their death, usually made by taking a cast or impression from the corpse. Death masks may be kept as mementos of the dead, or be used for the creation of portraits. ... The main purpose of the death mask from the Middle Ages until the 19th century was to serve as a model for sculptors in creating statues and busts of the decedent. Not until the 1800s did death masks become valued for themselves. In other cultures, a death mask may be a funeral mask, an image placed on the face of the deceased before burial rites, and normally buried with them. The best known of these are the masks used in ancient Egypt as part of the mummification process, such as Tutankhamun's mask, and those from Mycenaean Greece such as the Mask of Agamemnon. In some European countries, it was common for death masks to be used as part of the effigy of the deceased, displayed at state funerals; the coffin portrait was an alternative. Mourning portraits were also painted, showing the subject lying in repose. During the 18th and 19th centuries masks were also used to permanently record the features of unknown corpses for purposes of identification. This function was later replaced by post-mortem photography. (Image is of a death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte) Source: Wikipedia https://bit.ly/3mwOElW

World Mental Health Day - October 10 The goal for World Mental Health Day 2020 is increased investment in mental health. The World Health Organization addresses this year's World Mental Health Day and the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our lives:... "The past months have brought many challenges: for health-care workers, providing care in difficult circumstances, going to work fearful of bringing COVID-19 home with them; for students, adapting to taking classes from home, with little contact with teachers and friends, and anxious about their futures; for workers whose livelihoods are threatened; for the vast number of people caught in poverty or in fragile humanitarian settings with extremely limited protection from COVID-19; and for people with mental health conditions, many experiencing even greater social isolation than before. And this is to say nothing of managing the grief of losing a loved one, sometimes without being able to say goodbye. The economic consequences of the pandemic are already being felt, as companies let staff go in an effort to save their businesses, or indeed shut down completely. Given past experience of emergencies, it is expected that the need for mental health and psycho-social support will substantially increase in the coming months and years. Investment in mental health programs at the national and international levels, which have already suffered from years of chronic under funding, is now more important than it has ever been." Source: World Health Organization https://bit.ly/3mDPZYQ

Funeral Traditions Tinguian Funeral, Philippines The Tinguian people believe that sickness and death are usually caused by unfriendly spirits, and some will punish those who refuse to obey the customs. Sometimes sickness and death are also believed to be brought about by mortals who practice magic, or by individuals themselves as punishment for violated taboos.... The methods of cajoling the spirits, of overcoming magic, and thwarting evil designs are with rituals that protect the spirit of the deceased and the family. A funeral is a great event in a Tinguian village. The deceased is bathed, so that his spirit may be clean, and is placed in a bamboo seat at the end of the house. The corpse is dressed in its best garments, beads and silver wire surround its neck, while above and about it are many valuable blankets, belts, clouts, woven skirts, and the like, which the spirit is to take with him to the ancestors in Maglawa, his future home. It is also the family's duty to place two small jars of liquor near to the corpse and to bring food to it, when the others are eating. All of this and more, are to ensure the needs of the spirit of the deceased are looked after by the members of the family. Source: Fay-Cooper Cole, 1922, Project Gutenberg https://bit.ly/3jtwfFe

Kearney History The staff at the Kearney Broadway location (Broadway and Willow), 1924.

The hardest thing you overcome

Kearney History Catherine Kearney Catherine was a professional Opera singer by trade, and also helped her mother lay out the deceased when a death occurred in their parish in Vancouver, where she met Thomas Kearney who would visit Vancouver from Bonanza Creek during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Kearney History Ellen Kearney Crean (daughter of Thomas James Kearney), 1925. Ellen and her friend Ruth Emerson became the first women to ever be licensed as Funeral Directors in California, from the California College of Mortuary Science.

Frequently Asked Questions What is a witness cremation? Traditionally, the graveside has been the location of final disposition and last time to say goodbye. In many cultures the final farewell has always been the witness cremation, where families may be present for the initiation of the cremation process. As cremation becomes a more popular form of disposition, more families are embracing the opportunity to say goodbye when the cremation takes place.... Please visit our website (link in bio) to contact us for more information on witness cremations.

Grief Resource Modern Loss "Modern Loss is a place to share the unspeakably taboo, unbelievably hilarious, and unexpectedly beautiful terrain of navigating your life after a death. Beginners welcome.... This project grew out of two friends separate experiences with sudden loss, and their struggle to find resources that werent too clinical, overtly religious, patronizing or, frankly, cheesy." https://modernloss.com/who-we-are/

Normalize finding and accepting joy in moments of grief

International Day of Peace - September 21 The International Day of Peace, also unofficially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday that is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence. The day was first celebrated in 1981, and is upheld by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people. The theme for 2020 is Shaping Peace Together... "Celebrate the International Day of Peace by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together." - https://internationaldayofpeace.org/ See more

Funeral Traditions Burial Beads In 2000, a law was passed in South Korea requiring people who buried their dead after 2000, to remove them from their graves after 60 years.... Up until that time, 6 out of 10 South Koreans were buried which was in line with traditional Confucian instruction to respect their deceased ancestors and regularly visit their graves. However, with South Korea being a small country with a dense population, burial space was becoming severely limited, which initiated a government cremation campaign encouraging cremation to save space. It was effective enough that in 2010, only 3 out of 10 people were buried. The founder and CEO Bae Jae-yul of ashes-to-beads company Bonhyang (in Icheon, South Korea) "says the beads allow people to keep their relatives close to them, wherever they go. He also says stored ashes can rot, a claim denied by crematoriums. Our beads are clean; they dont become moldy and dont go off and smell bad, he says. Bae uses ultrahigh temperature to melt cremated ashes until they are crystallized and can be turned into beads in a 90-minute process. The colors are mostly blue-green but sometimes pink, purple and black. The ashes of one person can produce four to five cups of beads, Bae says, although the ashes of young people have a higher bone density that can yield up to eight cups of beads." Info source: CBC News https://bit.ly/32fwhdG

Your heart is still beating

Kearney History The British Columbia Funeral Directors convention in Victoria, B.C., 1929.

It is important to understand that there can be big differences between funeral providers. Here are a few aspects to consider when choosing a funeral service provider. - Most funeral home service providers do their utmost to fulfill their clients’ needs and wishes. But find one that takes the time to really listen and understand your expectations. - Cremation services can have a wide variety of options to match your needs.... - Whatever your religious denomination or personal beliefs, an experienced funeral home will be able to tailor your service to meet your faith requirements. - Trust, communication, and transparency, in terms of laying out costs and fulfilling your wishes, are vital traits for a reputable funeral service provider. Visit the Blog portion of our website https://bit.ly/2HBZSqj (kearneyfs.com > About Us > Blog) for more information.

Our dead are never dead to us

Grief Resource Grief in the time of Covid - BC Bereavement Helpline One of the many resources provided by the BC Bereavement Helpline includes a virtual webinar presented by Grief Educator, Dr. Catherine Hajnal, addressing grief during this COVID-19 pandemic.... "Things are pretty topsy-turvy right now. The reality is that some of that unease and anxiety might be us grieving a felt sense of loss due to the COVID-10 pandemic and of us trying to make sense of all of that is happening around us. Listen to Dr. Hajnal define and discuss Secondary and Ambiguous Losses present with the pandemic and learn some coping skills to help ease our feelings of loss. " BC Bereavement Helpline Grief Resources: https://bit.ly/3jqYJ2C

Funeral Traditions Hanging Coffins Hanging coffins are coffins which have been placed high on cliffs. They can be found in various locations, most notably in China, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Although no one knows exactly how or why the hanging coffins came to be, there are numerous theories about their origins.... China In China, hanging coffins are most commonly attributed to the Bo people, an ethnic minority who first resided in Matangba, China more than 3,000 years ago. It's suspected that the Bo people used the burial technique to either protect the bodies from being taken by beasts and animals on the ground, and spiritually, to help their decedents get closer to heaven, and eternally bless their soul. The coffins, which were typically made from entire hollowed-out tree trunks, were sometimes supported by wooden stakes stuck into the mountainside. Others were left inside man made caves, tightly embedded into the face of the rock, or set on top of rock projections. In 2015, archaeologists discovered 131 hanging coffins tucked into caves along a 330-foot-high cliff. They were determined to be 1,200 years old. Whether they used pulleys or scaffolding, it remains unknown exactly how these coffins were raised up to their final resting place. Philippines In the Philippines, the tradition is suspected to date back two millennia and involve the Igorot tribe of Mountain Province. "The elderly feared being buried in the ground," one living tribe member explained. "When they died, they did not want to be buried because they knew water would eventually seep into the soil and they would quickly rot. They wanted a safe place where their corpse would be safe." Despite their precarious positions, tourists have been known to visit the coffins some even snatching a couple of bones as souvenirs. Sources: Wikipedia - https://bit.ly/3hwi6W5 All That's Interesting - https://bit.ly/35KKy4x

Funeral Traditions Jazz Funeral A jazz funeral is a funeral procession accompanied by a brass band, in the tradition of New Orleans, Louisiana.... A typical jazz funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a brass band from the home, funeral home or church to the cemetery. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges and hymns. A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after either the deceased is entombed, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final goodbye and they "cut the body loose", which is when the mourners cut loose as well. This is when the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or spiritual number played in a swinging fashion, then going into popular hot tunes. There is raucous music and cathartic dancing where onlookers join in to celebrate the life of the deceased. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the "second line", and their style of dancing, in which they walk and sometimes twirl a parasol or handkerchief in the air, is called "second lining". Although the majority of jazz funerals are for musicians, anyone can request one. And, as long as you’re respectful, passersby are encouraged to join in and help celebrate. Sources: Wikipedia https://bit.ly/3ktci1l Visit New Orleans https://bit.ly/3hAPdYT

Funeral Traditions Psychopomps Psychopomps (from the Greek word , psychopompós, literally meaning the 'guide of souls'), are creatures, spirits, angels, or deities in many religions whose responsibility is to escort newly deceased souls from Earth to the afterlife. Their role is not to judge the deceased, but simply to guide them. Appearing frequently on funerary art, psychopomps have been depicted at different times and in different cultures as anthropomorphic enti...ties, horses, deer, dogs, whip-poor-wills, ravens, crows, vultures, owls, sparrows, and cuckoos. When seen as birds, they are often seen in huge masses, waiting outside the home of the dying. Classical examples of a psychopomp are the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, the god Yama in Hinduism, the Greek ferryman Charon and god Hermes, the Roman god Mercury, the Norse Valkyries, the Aztec Xolotl, and the Etruscan Vanth. In Christianity, Saint Peter, Michael the Archangel and Jesus are thought of as psychopomps either as leading the dead to heaven or, as in the case of Peter, allowing them through the gates. The most common contemporary example of a psychopomp appearing in popular culture is the Grim Reaper, which dates from 15th-century England and has been adopted into many other cultures around the world over the years. Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopomp

Kearney History Kearney Funeral Services, Broadway location, 1958.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between a Traditional Funeral and a Celebration of Life? In general, the difference between a Celebration of Life and a Traditional Funeral is the presence of your loved ones body. The decision to have the body present or a visitation is an important one, and can be a very important part of the grieving process. Some choose to have a Celebration of Life with friends and family and their loved ones cremated remains present fo...llowing the cremation, while others choose not to have them present at all. It is important to understand that a visitation can be held before cremation when a Celebration of Life is the kind of service taking place. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information and to contact us on how we can help you remember and celebrate the life of your loved one.

Kearney History Kearney Broadway location, 1958.

Funeral Traditions Sea Burial Burial at sea is an ancient tradition with roots so deep, theyre difficult to trace. Most major religions have their own specific customs for performing burial at sea. Sometimes when a body cannot be located, a cenotaph, rather than a body, may be symbolically thrown into the sea.... Ship Burial - Scandinavia Ship burials, also known as Norse, or Viking funerals of early medieval Scandinavians, were a prominent tradition, usually reserved for individuals of high honour. The deceased was laid in a boat that also contained their prized possessions (grave goods) that fell in line with their social status and profession. Sometimes, slaves were sacrificed to act as servants to the individual in the afterlife, as well as animal remains such as oxen or horses. The ships tended to be ships of pleasure rather than ships utilized for travel or attack. Some ships were potentially chartered for the sake of a ship burial, especially considered they were designed without some necessary features like seats.

The storms of your life

The ones who love us

Funeral Traditions Totenpass Totenpass (plural Totenpässe) is a German term sometimes used for inscribed tablets or metal leaves found in burials primarily of those presumed to be initiates into Orphic (Ancient Greek and Hellenistic), Dionysiac, and some ancient Egyptian and Semitic religions. The term may be understood in English as a "passport for the dead". The so-called Orphic gold tablets are perhaps the best-known example.... Totenpässe are placed on or near the body as a phylactery (leather box), or rolled and inserted into a capsule often worn around the neck as an amulet. The inscription instructs the initiate on how to navigate the afterlife, including directions for avoiding hazards in the landscape of the dead and formulaic responses to the underworld judges. Source: Wikipedia https://bit.ly/36Vk013

Kearney History A photo of the T.J. Kearney Ambulance

It is not the length of life

October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day This day serves to bring awareness and support to individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a child during pregnancy, at birth, and in infancy. October has a long tradition and significance as a month to remember children who died. Several Canadian provinces have recognized the day in the past as a result of the advocacy and requests of bereaved parents and families from across the nation.... Visit https://www.october15.ca/ for information and resources on pregnancy and infant loss, and support for bereaved parents.

Frequently Asked Questions Preparing for the Death of a Loved One When a loved ones death is near, its not uncommon for family and friends to avoid the subject. Some people have feelings of guilt, confusion, depression and denial. These are common reactions as we see someone we love approach the end of life.... The reality is that its important to discuss the topic of death - including end-of-life care and funeral arrangements. Preparing for the loss of a loved one and knowing what to expect can help ease the burden when the time comes. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information and to contact us on how we can help you prepare for the death of a loved one.

Frequently Asked Questions What to do with cremated remains? Disposition of cremated remains is a very important decision. This is a very personal and often permanent decision which requires experience which we can provide. Options can range from burial, to keeping your loved one’s cremated remains in your home or holding onto them for scattering. ... For some, this decision is made within religious guidelines, while others decide on disposition based on the wishes of the deceased. It is important to understand the finality of this decision and to ensure that all family members are considered, as often families regret not choosing a final place of remembrance for their loved one. Rest assured we can provide the information you will need, to make the right decision for you and your family. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information, or to contact us on how we can help you and your family.

Loss Through Death Support Group Living Through Loss Counselling Society of British Columbia Offered In association with the Vancouver Center for Loss and Bereavement and Living through Loss Counselling Society of BC, this group is for people experiencing the loss of a loved one through death.... The loss of someone you care for may bring the greatest emotional pain one can ever experience. For many people, the resulting feelings of loneliness, sadness, fear and abandonment are overwhelming, and ones identity, self-esteem and sense of purpose in life may also suffer. Over a six week period participants will explore through lectures, sharing and written exercises, group members how to adjust to the pain of loss, restore their self-esteem, and regain hope and energy for the future. Facilitated by professional grief & loss therapists. Groups have a limited enrollment. This is a closed therapy group. Registration in advance is required. Visit the link below for more information. https://bit.ly/3hhIeok

Grief Resource What's Your Grief? "Our goal is to create a community that provides hope, support, and education to anyone wishing to understand the complicated experience of life after loss."... "What's Your Grief" is an online resource providing guidance, support, and resources related to understanding and coping with grief and loss, founded by Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams. Their resources include online courses, webinars, a podcast, and blog posts for anyone who is grieving, those supporting a griever, and grief professionals. https://whatsyourgrief.com/

One lives in the hope of becoming a memory

Funeral Traditions Flowers & Stones The practice of burying the dead with flowers is almost as old as humanity, and in prehistoric caves, even some burial sites have been found with evidence that flowers were used as markers of an interment. Cicero of Rome describes flowers being planted around a grave to purify the ground of human remains.... "The Jewish tradition of leaving small stones on a grave is ancient. It can be traced back to a time when gravestones were not used - instead, small stones were piled to mark a grave. As long as visitors tended the grave and left stones, the dead would be remembered. Stones are more than a marker of ones visit; they are the means by which the living help the dead to stay put. Even souls that were benign in life can, in the folk imagination, take on a certain terror in death. All the explanations have one thing in common the sense of solidity that stones give. Flowers are a good metaphor for life. Life withers; it fades like a flower. As Isaiah says, All flesh is grass, and all its beauty like the flower of the field; grass withers and flowers fade (Isaiah 40:6-7). For that reason, flowers are an apt symbol of passing. But the memory is supposed to be lasting. While flowers may be a good metaphor for the brevity of life, stones seem better suited to the permanence of memory. Stones do not die." Source: https://bit.ly/2Qctxad

Funeral Traditions Eternal Reefs Eternal Reefs takes the cremated remains or cremains of an individual and incorporates them into a proprietary, environmentally safe cement mixture designed to create artificial reef formations that will quickly assimilate into the natural ocean environment. The Eternal Reefs are then placed in one of our permitted ocean locations selected by the individual, friend or family member. These permanent memorials placed on the ocean floor create ...new marine habitats for fish and other forms of sea life. For families and individuals that choose cremation rather than burial, Eternal Reefs offers a unique memorial option that replaces cremation urns and ash scatterings with a permanent environmental living legacy. Eternal Reefs are permanent additions to the marine environment and serve to help preserve, protect, and enhance the oceans’ health. As of 2020, more than 2,000 Eternal Reefs have been placed in about 25 locations off the coasts of Florida (the panhandle, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast), Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Source: Eternal Reefs https://bit.ly/3c5x98j

Funeral Traditions Sea Burial Burial at sea is an ancient tradition with roots so deep, they're difficult to trace. Most major religions have their own specific customs for performing burial at sea. Sometimes when a body cannot be located, a cenotaph, rather than a body, may be symbolically thrown into the sea.... Ship Burial - Scandinavia Ship burials, also known as Norse, or Viking funerals of early medieval Scandinavians, were a prominent tradition, usually reserved for individuals of high honour. The deceased was laid in a boat that also contained their prized possessions (grave goods) that fell in line with their social status and profession. Sometimes, slaves were sacrificed to act as servants to the individual in the afterlife, as well as animal remains such as oxen or horses. The ships tended to be ships of pleasure rather than ships utilized for travel or attack. Some ships were potentially chartered for the sake of a ship burial, especially considered they were designed without some necessary features like seats.

Kearney History The Kearney Ambulance Service

Kearney History Kearney Broadway Young Frank Kearney left college and returned home to help rebuild the family business. His sister Ellen headed south to the California College of Mortuary Science where she and her dear friend Ruth Emerson became the first women ever to be licensed as funeral directors in California.... Unfortunately, due to complications from his fall Thomas passed away in 1942. The Kearneys continued to serve families working through another close by funeral home, using their men and vehicles to assist with services until 1944 when the family was able to purchase a property at 8055 Hudson St. in Marpole. The Kearney family were able to purchase another building a decade later on Broadway, in 1954, and ran both the Broadway and Hudson St. locations until 1968, when Hudson street was sold. Frank Kearney died suddenly of an asthma attack in 1975, leaving his sister Ellen (Kearney) Crean and her two sons, Thomas and Michael to continue the family business. In 1979 they repurchased Columbia Chapel, and in 1991 purchased S. Bowell and Sons from the Loewen Group Inc. In fact S. Bowell had been Loewens head office. Today the Kearney family serves the Lower Mainland from four locations Vancouver, New Westminster, South Surrey/White Rock, and now Burnaby.

Frequently Asked Questions Preparing for the Death of a Loved One When a loved one's death is near, it's not uncommon for family and friends to avoid the subject. Some people have feelings of guilt, confusion, depression and denial. These are common reactions as we see someone we love approach the end of life.... The reality is that it's important to discuss the topic of death - including end-of-life care and funeral arrangements. Preparing for the loss of a loved one and knowing what to expect can help ease the burden when the time comes. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information and to contact us on how we can help you prepare for the death of a loved one.

Frequently Asked Questions What to prepare before meeting a funeral provider Before coming into the funeral home to make arrangements for your loved one, there are some things that you will need to prepare and bring in for documentation and preparation purposes, which the funeral director will help you with during the arrangement process: ... - If there is a Will, the person(s) named as the legal representative/Executor must be present. Please bring a copy of the Will for the Director. - If your loved one was born in Canada, their birth certificate. - If born outside of Canada, their Canadian Citizenship Card or PR Card. - Their health card and Social Insurance Number (SIN). - Clothing for them to be dressed in (including undergarments and dentures if applicable). - A photograph for the funeral home staff to use as secondary identification as well as for preparation purposes. - Their parents names and places of birth including their mothers maiden name, if you know this information. Please visit our website (link in bio) and contact us at any point, should you need any assistance with planning and arrangements for your loved one.

Grief Resource Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society The LMGRS is a non-profit registered charitable organization that has been organizing grief support groups in the greater Vancouver area since it was incorporated in 1990. ... Their programs are designed for those who have suffered the death of a significant person by helping them understand, cope and live with their loss. They help the grieving person move from pain to healing in a non-judgmental, compassionate and confidential environment. Visit the Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society website for more information: http://lmgr.ca/

Funeral Traditions Haida Totem Funerals Haida totem poles are incredibly important to the First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest. They tell a narrative with symbolic representations of animals and beings, they express kinship groups, their history, and welcome visitors. Many Haida totem poles are used as memorials to honour the dead, and show that there is no distinction between the natural and spiritual world. ... The Haida Mortuary Pole The Haida mortuary pole had a cavity in the top which held a burial box containing the remains of a chief or high ranking person. These remains were placed in the box a year after the death. The box was hidden from view by a frontal board, painted and/or carved with a lineage crest, placed across the front. The shape and design of this board gave the appearance of a large chest. The Haida Memorial Pole About a year after an important chiefs death, his successor raised a pole in his memory. These poles depicted the appropriate crests and symbols that represented outstanding achievements or events in the life of the deceased chief. A memorial pole can also be raised for a high-ranking person whose life achievements merit the honour. Sources: The Bill Reid Centre at Simon Fraser University https://bit.ly/2Q6aRZB Ancient-Origins.net https://bit.ly/3aOWMJU

Kearney History Columbia Chapel In 1927, Thomas Kearney was asked and agreed to become a partner in a second funeral company, the Columbia Funeral Chapel in New Westminster, B.C. Tom ran the businesses successfully until an unfortunate fall forced him to retire in 1932. ... In the thirties, times were hard and eventually the family lost both the New Westminster and the Broadway properties. Broadway was purchased from the bank by Thomas Chapman who opened Chapman Funeral Directors at 802 W. Broadway, and John Norman took over Columbia Chapel. This left the Kearney family with a phone number, but neither facility. Our story continues next Thursday. For the full story behind our Kearney history, visit our website (link in bio).

This is not goodbye, my darling

Frequently Asked Questions What to do after the funeral? We know that there are many things to take care of after the funeral, and at Kearneys we can help you with them. We will provide the death certificates that you need to conclude your loved ones business, such as banking and credit cards. We can help you to notify OAS and CPP and provide forms for the CPP death benefit to which your loved one may be entitled. We can also arrange to stop junk mail from being delivered ...in your loved ones name. Our Funeral Directors will be happy to help you with these issues and other items with which you may need assistance. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information, or to contact us on how we can help you take care of any affairs after the funeral.

Grief Resource Center For Loss & Life Transition The Center for Loss & Life Transition is an organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them, such as family, friends, caregivers, and educators.... Founder and Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, Dr. Wolfelt hosts numerous educational workshops each year for hospices, hospitals, schools, universities, funeral homes, community groups, and many other organizations. Visit https://bit.ly/2N4BnQw for more information on Dr. Wolfelt and the Center for Loss and Life Transition.

Funeral Traditions Memento Mori A "memento mori" is an artistic or symbolic reminder of the inevitability of death. In the Victorian era, there was a particular fascination with death and mourning, ... Postmortem "death" photographs were commonplace, and sometimes were the only photos taken of someone. Also popular were "spirit photos", created by using a double exposure method that produced a ghostly image of the deceased next to the solid image of the mourning loved ones. Jewelry and tokens with the hair of the deceased were also prized and often given as affectionate gifts. See more

Kearney History The Kearney Ambulance In 1911, Thomas Kearney ordered the first motorized ambulances in Canada, from the Gardner Motor Works Company. Unfortunately however, his name was crossed out on the two order forms and the name Toronto Hospital was written over his. Tom received the first set of motorized ambulances delivered to Western Canada, a pair of handsome Pierce Arrows, reachable by dialing Fairmont 3. ... Our story continues next Thursday. For the full story behind our Kearney history, visit our website (link in bio).

The journey doesnt end here

Frequently Asked Questions "How is the funeral arranged?" To arrange a funeral, the Director will walk you through the many different options available and help you make the decisions that are right for you and your family. Taking the time to understand your individual needs and help you plan around them is what separates Kearneys from the many other Funeral Providers. This process of helping starts from the moment you call us, and continues long after the Funeral has concl...uded. Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information on how we can help you make funeral arrangements.

Grief Resource Living Through Loss Society The Living Through Loss Counselling Society of British Columbia offers professional grief counselling and emotional support to anyone experiencing stress due to life change or loss, as well as training, education, and resources as support to communities and those impacted by loss.... Visit our website (link in bio) for a link to the Living Through Loss Society, under our Resources tab. https://livingthroughloss.ca/

Funeral Traditions Tibetan Sky Burial With Tibet being mostly above the tree line, timber is scarce, making cremation challenging and economically unfeasible. Solid rock or permafrost lie beneath the surface, which is not more than a few centimetres deep, which also makes ground burial nearly impossible.... Thus evolved the practice of allowing vultures to consume the flesh of bodies until the bones are picked clean. Afterwards, the bones are ground and fed to crows. In most forms of Buddhism, bodies are meant to be cremated or given over to animals in an act of charity. This way, the remains are disposed of in the most generous way possible, and this practice acts as part of templates of instructional teaching on the impermanence of life.

Kearney History An introduction to how Kearney Funeral Services began. The Kearney General Store - Dawson City, 1898... Thomas James Kearney began coming to Vancouver in 1905. He was still operating his General Store in Bonanza Creek during the Klondike Gold Rush, but on a visit to Vancouver Tom fell in love with a lovely young local girl by the name of Catherine OConnor. Although a professional Opera singer by trade, Catherine also helped her mother Brigit OConnor lay out the deceased when a death occurred in their parish. Our story continues next Thursday. For the full story behind our Kearney history, visit our website (link in bio).

Live each day to the fullest

Frequently Asked Questions "Who do I call first?" If an unexpected death occurs, call the police immediately and wait for assistance. In the event that your loved one has died in a hospital or at home, call the location that is most convenient for you. One of our Funeral Directors will be able to assist in answering all your questions and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care. Our Funeral Directors are available on-call 24 hours a day to assist you.

The journey doesn't end here

Grief Resource BC Bereavement Helpline They are a non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC. Their mission is "committed to facilitating the provision of care and support to the bereaved, caregivers and service providers and to increase public understanding of grief as a life process through education, support, advocacy, networking and dissemination of information."... Kearney Funeral Services is proud to work with the BCBH as a community partner in providing care for families in British Columbia. https://bit.ly/2DgRqdw

Kearney Funeral Services has been featured in Vancouver is Awesome with a good look at what we do, and how we have continued helping families as a local independent family-owned funeral home since 1908. Link below for the article: https://bit.ly/33cbd94

"Alright, here goes. Im old. What that means is that Ive survived (so far) and a lot of people Ive known and loved did not. Ive lost friends, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, grandparents, mom, relatives, teachers, mentors, students, neighbors, and a host of other folks. I have no children, and I cant imagine the pain it must be to lose a child. But heres my two cents. I wish I could say you get used to people dying. I never did. I dont want to. It tears a hole...Continue reading

Fathers Day A day to celebrate our fathers and paternal bonds, and however that may be represented to you in your life. For those whose fathers are no longer with us, or do not have significant roles in our lives, this can be a difficult day to acknowledge or celebrate, or it may look very different. Today can be a day to honour or recognize fatherhood, or a parental figure that has impacted your life in a positive way.... "For good and bad, our parents profoundly impact who we become. They pass along their values and their prejudices, their passions and their dislikes. From them we learn how to move, communicate, and love. Usually unknowingly, they also teach us how to grieve and mourn." - Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt

"Alright, here goes. I'm old. What that means is that I've survived (so far) and a lot of people I've known and loved did not. I've lost friends, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, grandparents, mom, relatives, teachers, mentors, students, neighbors, and a host of other folks. I have no children, and I can't imagine the pain it must be to lose a child. But here's my two cents. I wish I could say you get used to people dying. I never did. I don't want to. It tears a hole...Continue reading