Sunbury Funeral Home

01/12/2026

Celebrate the life of Jeannette Rossignol and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

01/12/2026

01/05/2026

Funeral Footnotes
Music and Memories

Songs playing on a radio remind us of a time from our past, a time when maybe we first heard the song, maybe a time when we shared a special memory with a special someone or were going through a special time in our life. Maybe it was the music played driving to a beach or the family cottage in the summertime or maybe the music played at our prom.

Music often is used as a symbol of love. Everyone remembers the song played at their wedding.
As times change, so does the use of music at funerals. Once it was a choir or an organist performing a hymn or a rendition of Amazing Grace. Now contemporary songs are commonplace and are used as symbols of the relationships shared with departed loved ones.

Music takes us back. It helps us remember. Sometimes the lyrics in songs replace our own lack of words at this vulnerable time. Below please see some suggestions for ‘Songs of Remembrance.’ There are many more choices online.

Even Though You’re Gone by Angelis
In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah MacLauchlan
The Way we Were by Barbara Streisand
In the Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics
To Where you Are by Josh Groban
Who you’d be Today by Kenny Chesney

© Sunbury Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

Our team at Sunbury Funeral Home wish you a year full of promise, inspiration to achieve your goals, and joys that fill your heart with warmth. May you experience good health and have a year filled with smiles, love and prosperity.

12/27/2025

Celebrate the life of Janet Griffiths and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

12/25/2025

Wishing you Peace and Joy this Holiday Season, Merry Christmas!

Christmas is a special time of year, when we unite with family and friends. Tis the season to share time honoured traditions and create lasting memories.

Our team at Sunbury Funeral Home hope your holiday season holds many special moments that warm your heart.

12/21/2025

Celebrate the life of Nancy Lewis and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

12/19/2025

Putting up the Christmas tree is always a reminiscent occasion around here as I dig out the plethora of homemade ornaments from Christmas’s past. I’ve seen some beautifully color coordinated Christ…

12/15/2025

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

© Sunbury Funeral Home/CFHC Online

12/10/2025

The Gift of Time

Tis the season of giving. It’s important to remember that not all gifts need to be monetary in nature.

Do you know someone who is alone over the holidays? Reach out to them to grab a coffee, or even better, invite them to an event you will be attending.

Do you know someone who has difficulty getting around? Offer to drive them to pick up those last-minute items on their list. The commute is sure to be appreciated and will give you time to catch up.

Do you know someone who is grieving? Be there for them. Be a shoulder to lean on and someone who provides comfort when most needed.

Do you know someone who is typically quiet at gatherings? Be the person who listens to their story. They’re sure to recognize you’ve made the effort to connect with them.

Time seems to be a scarce these days. The value of our time increases significantly when it is of benefit to others.

© Sunbury Funeral Home/CFHC Online

12/01/2025

The Year 1975 Remembered

Toronto’s skyline was forever changed in 1975 when an enormous Sikorsky helicopter flew into the downtown core to attach the last pieces of the CN Tower’s antenna. This event marked the end of construction of what would be the world’s tallest structure for the next 32 years.

The year also saw the beaver becoming Canada’s official national symbol, denoting its importance to Indigenous People and its prominence during the fur trade. Other noteworthy events included Environment Canada switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius, Ontario becoming the first province to exclusively teach the metric system in school, the birth of government-owned Petro-Canada, the opening of Montreal’s Mirabel Airport, and the awarding of Senate seats to both the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

In world news, after close to 20 years of fighting, the Vietnam War officially ended when North Vietnam conquered Saigon on April 30, 1975. The surrender by the South Vietnamese resulted in the mass exodus of U.S. troops from the region.

In science and technology, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen with the release of the Altair BASIC, Cromemco Cyclops became the first digital commercial camera, and a U.S. patent was awarded for Ethernet local area networking, the predecessor of today’s internet.

In sports, Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in what became known as the “Thrilla in Manila.” Home Box Office, the first pay television network, delivered the broadcast, allowing the boxing match to be viewed by over 100 million people worldwide. In entertainment, Charlie Chaplin was knighted by the Queen and Jaws frightened many as the summer’s blockbuster movie. Its release actually had children too scared to go in the water. Books of the year included Jack Higgins’ The Eagle Has Landed’ and James Clavell’s Shōgun. Toys and gifts of 1975 included Mood Rings, Pong (home version) and Pet Rocks.

© Sunbury Funeral Home/CFHC Online