MacIsaac Funeral Home

11/15/2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Catherine Gerard (Kay) Doucet, a cherished member of the Antigonish community, who left us peacefully on November 8, 2025, at the Maples, Antigonish. Born on October 9, 1931, in Tompkins, Newfoundland, Kay was the beloved daughter of the late Al...

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day Observance

Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with Canadians across our nation and honour those who have fallen in war and conflicts around the world.

They fought for our freedoms and helped to pave the way for the liberties and opportunities we enjoy. Thank you for your service. As we pause in silence in your memory, our hearts go out to all families who are affected by the loss of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

11/10/2025

It is with deep sadness that the family of Joe A. MacDonald of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, announces his passing. Joe A. was the eldest son of the late John L. and Lucy (Gillis) MacDonald. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Hector (Carole Gillies), and his sister-in-law Arlene (Pat). He is....

11/07/2025

Conversations from the Heart

There’s that moment when two people who are talking truly connect. They share eye contact and they fully understand one another. Those who grieve seek to have these moments, knowing that others share how the pain of their loss has affected them.

Some tips to be that person are:

• Be open to their vulnerability. At times such as these, compassion is important.
• Be an active listener. Listen to understand and not to reply. Seek clarification if needed.
• Don’t rush the conversation. If it takes 10 minutes or 2 hours for them to express all that they are going through, this is a difficult time. Surely nothing is more deserving of your time.
• Be sure to express your thoughts well. So that they understand what you are saying.
• Remember this is about helping them discover. It’s not about offering advice.

Perhaps in your conversation with them there will be a moment of profound silence, a moment when a breakthrough occurs. Being that person, one with empathy is sure to help them at a time of need.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

11/04/2025

Raymond Joseph LeBlanc (Pere), aged 89, of Havre Boucher, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on November 4th, 2025. Raymond was predeceased by his beloved wife, Diane LeBlanc (2024), with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and family. He will be deeply missed by his sons Dennis (Lorna) an...

11/04/2025

Brenda Botterill (née Hill), age 93, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, October 24, 2025 in St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Brenda was born on August 21, 1932 to Wilfred and Doris Hill in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. She is survived by daughter Ruth (Ross) Adams, Ca...

11/03/2025

Funerals are often a sad, reflective occasion where mourners come together to remember a lost loved one, but they don't all have to be that way. These epic, weird, and just plain cool hearses are the perfect way to send the dearly departed off in style. Whether it's a converted E-Type Jag or a...

10/31/2025

10/27/2025

Some Basic Funeral Planning Terms and Definitions

Funeral home professionals often use terms which the general public is unfamiliar with. Here are three such terms and an explanation of what each refers to.

Preneed: this refers to any funeral or cemetery plans which are decided on in advance. Preneed arrangements are recorded wishes with a funeral home. Essentially, the individual will have a preneed file which contains a list of decisions made… such as: the selection of a casket or urn, the desired location for the funeral service and clergy who will preside at it, and sometimes even more specific information such as what music is to be played and which readings or poems will be recited. Preneed arrangements can be prefunded or left till when a person passes.

Prefunding: This is formalizing prearrangements with payment. In this scenario, the person makes decisions on the details of a service and prepays for these services. Two important aspects to prefunding need mentioning. Firstly, any arrangements prefunded will not incur any additional charges when the person passes. These funds are held with a third party and earn income offsetting the effects of inflation. Secondly, some individuals choose to partially prepay for services. They may pay for funeral services, but not cemetery fees. Or, in some instances the funeral home will not take prepayment for services which are not offered directly through them, such as an obituary or catering. These services will need to be paid for at the time of need, when the person passes.

Atneed: This is when decisions are left until when a person passes. Surviving family members make choices about funeral services for their beloved at that time. The decision-making process is typically brief with atneed arrangements. In many instances decisions need to be made immediately when meeting with the funeral director. We are very experienced in working with families under this scenario, so service details will unfold naturally. That said, this is a difficult and emotional time for those entrusted with these arrangements and leaving decisions till this time will add some anxiety and stress to the process.

We have individuals and families who make their arrangements in all of the above ways. If you have questions about preneed, prefunding or atneed arrangements, please contact us. We’re here to help.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

10/25/2025

Margaret Ellen (Rudolph) MacIsaac, the eldest daughter of Frank Irven and Susan Ellen (Johnson) Rudolph was born with an abundance of vitality and creativity. Her view of the world was formed through the lens of nature, the lens of a camera and anything that could be read from a book. This was a per...

10/22/2025

Removal of Floral Arrangements and Personal Keepsakes at Gravesites

In preparation of the onset of winter, grounds crew will ensure the cemetery grounds are made ready for the upcoming season and remove debris. In addition to leaves, tree branches and landscape trimmings… they will also remove items from gravesites.

This is in order to make sure the cemetery remains as safe as possible over the winter months. With snowfall, anything remaining at gravesites may fall onto the ground, get covered in snow and pose a trip or safety hazard.

If you have personal items at your family’s gravesite, or floral arrangements, or mementos of any type, it is best that these are removed at this time and brought home for safe keeping.

Please check with your local cemetery to see what their bylaws are and what is permissible with the placement of any personal items at graves, including flowers.

© MacIsaac Funeral Home/CFHC Online

10/19/2025

Eleanor (Ellie) Agnes Weaving, 76, passed away on October 18, 2025 with her beloved Ricky by her side after a long battle with Dementia. She was the daughter of Margaret and Trevor Parry (Ottawa). Ellie was a standout baton twirler/majorette in High School who loved the Beatles. She pursued a Recrea...