MacIsaac Funeral Home

01/09/2026

01/06/2026

It is with deep sadness, yet grateful hearts for a well-lived life, that the family announces the peaceful passing of John Patrick Benoit, age 88, on January 5th in the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home. Born in Pomquet, Antigonish County on March 5th, 1937, John was a son of the late Leo and Alice (Deyou...

01/05/2026

Change and Starting Over

Grieving changes some people in profound ways, and sometimes the grief journey can give birth to a new life.

Following the loss of someone close, sometimes those who grieve no longer find joy in certain activities they used to do. Things once loved include participating in activities that were once shared with the beloved; doing those things without them can be challenging because strong emotions surface and little or no joy is experienced. This is especially noticeable in the early part of the grief journey. In the early part of grief, the attachment that the griever has to the deceased will make it challenging to think of life and engaging in life again without their beloved. As the griever begins to process the loss and accept the finality of the loss they will begin to find periods of reprieve, which will provide the space for them to engage in life again.

Some suggestions to introduce small changes in one’s life are:
• Keep a journal and write down your thoughts and emotions. This can help you detect when even the smallest of shifts are happening.
• Get outside. Spending time in nature is another way to create a shift. Studies have shown that even viewing pictures of nature can be a helpful tool to shift away from negative thoughts.
• Park judgement and timelines at the door and be self-compassionate. Accepting that grief brings emotional ups and downs will help you understand that you need to show compassion to yourself when you’re having a down day.

The thing to remember when grieving is that emotions are always changing and shifting. This is the natural evolution of grief and learning to accept change. Viewing ups and downs that happen as natural shifts can help us better understand what we are experiencing. By opening our minds, we become better able to forge ahead into a new chapter of our life. This acceptance helps to make the grief journey easier and more manageable.

When the griever experiences changes that are positive it can help to foster healing and growth. In this fresh experience, the griever will be open to new beginnings and accept their new reality more readily. The ability to experience something new in a positive way can provide the griever with a sense of hope that there is a life possible without their beloved.

Margaret Lorrie Beaton, MA, C. Hyp
Bereavement Counsellor

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/02/2026

James (Jimmy) David O’Brien, age 64, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital. Jimmy was raised in Antigonish, a place that shaped who he was and where many of his lifelong friendships were formed. He spent much of his working life in construction and as a...

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

We wish you a New Year filled with promises of a brighter tomorrow and moments that bring joy to your heart. May 2026 hold good health and much happiness for you and those you cherish.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings

Our team at MacIsaac Funeral Home wish you all a pleasurable holiday season! May you share memorable times together as you celebrate family traditions. We hope you are able to be with those who are near and dear to you and that you experience the Christmas spirit, its joys and happiness.

"Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind."
-Valentine Davies, 'Miracle on 34th Street'

12/17/2025

Supporting Those who are Grieving During the Holidays

The holidays are a time for celebrating, sharing traditions with family and friends, good food, exchanging gifts and love. For a griever, this excitement and anticipation of the holidays is often mixed with sadness, sometimes self-pity and dread. Their loved ones witness their anguish but are often at a loss as to how to best provide support.

It is important to differentiate between the griever not faring well and the griever doing their best under the circumstances. Signs of not coping include an increase in self-medication, a personality change and repeated negative emotions. Often family members and close friends are not always objective enough to hold conversations with the griever, without attempting to impose well intended personal views. This provides little benefit to the bereft.

For those who are close to a griever it is important to realize that grief cannot be fixed. Grief must be experienced, even during the holiday season. To have an open and non-judgmental conversation with the griever about what they are experiencing helps provide direction as to if their grief is simply being expressed in the best way they can or the griever is unable to cope and professional help is warranted.

Jim felt that his father should join the family for all of their holiday gatherings after his wife died so he wouldn’t feel alone. Had a conversation between them occurred, Jim would have discovered that his dad actually felt lonelier surrounded by family and appreciated the quiet reflection time being alone offered him. Always seek input from the griever as to what they feel comfortable doing over the holidays.

It is also important to prepare all family members to recognize the fact that persons are changed by the grief they are experiencing. They have lost someone very important in their life. Opening a dialogue in advance minimizes any misunderstanding that may occur as holiday events unfold. As an example, is it ok to mention or talk about the person who has died, subsequently addressing the elephant in the room?

Perhaps preparing a gift for the griever, one which honours the deceased, will show them they continue to be supported and loved. Sometimes children can be part of this, as they often have great ideas on making the griever comfortable and they come from a place of honesty. Grievers do like to hear the name of their loved one and are comforted by stories and memories. Sharing tales about how the deceased brought joy, laughter and perhaps even mischief can add some well needed levity to holiday events.

When someone close dies, we all have a role in helping each other. Remember the needs of those who were closest to the deceased are paramount in the way any traditions unfold. Together, by respecting one another’s feelings and limits, the holidays can be experienced in the most optimal way.

Bertha Brannen
Bereavement Group Leader

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

12/16/2025

It is with heavy hearts and deep love that we announce the passing of Francis (Nick) Rossong at the age of 91. Francis was born on Nov 19th, 1934 to John and Blanche (Casey) Rossong in Hazel Hill, Canso. Francis is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Mary Rossong, with whom he shared many wonder...

12/14/2025

Light a Candle in Memory of a Beloved Child Today!

The second Sunday of December is designated Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world participate in this observance, each lighting a candle in memory of a child, someone taken from them too soon.

Established by Compassionate Friends in 1997, this 24-hour vigil starts at 7 p.m. in local time zones, with residents lighting their candle to begin the ceremony. As the world rotates and nighttime begins across different global time zones, a symbolic ray of light and hope is created.

Many organizations, such as hospitals, schools and funeral homes, participate in this healing ritual. The lighting of a candle serves many purposes. It pays tribute to the life of a loved one, it provides light and hope during the darkest of days, and it symbolizes the continuation of the deceased in spirit.

In 2019, a virtual Worldwide Candle Lighting Memorial Wall was added to this observance, allowing family members to share messages honouring their child, grandchild, sibling or friend.

To learn more about participating in a candle lighting event, please visit:
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl/.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

12/12/2025

In the early morning hours of December 9, 2025 our brother Mick finally found his peace. After many years of struggles and trials, Mickey is finally at rest and reunited with the person he loved the most, our mom. A tragic accident at a young age changed Mickey’s life forever. Although confined to...

12/11/2025

Ralph Edwin Delorey, of Tracadie, passed away on November 26, 2025 in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Antigonish he was a son of the late Russell and Roberta (Bonvie) Delorey of Tracadie. Following graduation from high school Ralph attended the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology....