Affinity Funeral Service

05/27/2026

View Laverne Joyce Brown's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/27/2026

View Margery Joan Warchola's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/24/2026

Victorian Grave Dolls

During the Victorian era, death could strike at any time, claiming the young and the old. Mourning methods embraced several practices, including a lesser-known tradition of grave dolls.

Following the death of an infant or child, families who could afford the expense commissioned a wax replica of their offspring. The likeness was deliberate, as the doll would actually be dressed in the child’s clothing and have clippings of hair attached to the doll’s head. Instead of viewing a child’s sickly body, the doll would be laid in a miniature coffin during a wake or funeral. The eyes would simply be closed, symbolizing a peaceful sleep and softening the cruelty of death.

Following the funeral, it was customary for the doll to be left on the child’s grave or even kept at home, where it would be displayed in a case or placed in a crib or bed to bring comfort to the family.

While grave dolls are no longer common practice, the tradition of leaving items at a cemetery continues. Families often adorn the grave site of children with photos, flowers, mementoes and toys – including dolls. Before leaving such items, remember to check cemetery policies to prevent the loss or removal of treasured items.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

05/23/2026

The Whitecourt Trade Show in JDA Place is where to be right now!
Come visit us in booth #12.
Enter to win our wine holder casket with bottle of wine. 🍷

05/22/2026

Before you Contact a Local Charity to Take Away Their Clothes
Repurpose that Favourite Shirt or Article of Clothing into a Keepsake

There are so many personal items that can be repurposed into a keepsake. Why not use some of their favourite activities to create a tribute that is housed by a shadow box. Did they fish, collect stamps or do crossword puzzles? Incorporate these items into a creative tribute.

Personal items such as reading glasses, a good luck charm, a fancy lipstick holder or smoking pipe can also be included. Did they leave a goodbye note which could be somehow inserted into the piece?

Did they have an expression they were known for which could be embroidered onto some material which they often wore?

Here are a few ideas of what you can make:
• A Christmas ornament
• A stuffed bear or pillow
• A shadow box frame tribute
• A quilt or placemats
• Love hearts

Pinterest is a simply wonderful place to find ideas. Click this link to see what others are doing.
https://www.pinterest.ca/bsg133/dads-clothes-keepsake-ideas/

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

Discover bsg133's collection, Dad's Clothes Keepsake Ideas

05/20/2026

View Bernard "Ben" William Richter's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/20/2026

View Maurice Evan Duncan's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

The Subtle Difference between a Coffin and a Casket

The public will often use the word coffin or casket when referring to the vessel that the body is placed in for a funeral or burial service. There is a slight difference between these two structures though, which has to do with their design.

A coffin incorporates tapering into its design, it is thicker at the chest, and tapers at both the top and bottom, corresponding to where the head and legs of the deceased rest, respectively. A casket, is more symmetric, having a rectangular shape. That said, the casket also is designed with both a top and bottom that correspond to where the head and feet of the deceased rest. This is evident when viewing the interior of the casket.

Another difference between these two structures is that coffins are typically crafted with a more simplistic design, while caskets incorporate more intricate designing and are built of materials which are of higher standards, sometimes including metals.

In North America, the vast majority of these ‘constructs’ are caskets, though, it seems that the use of both words casket and coffin, synonymously is appropriate. However, we as funeral directors use the term casket.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

05/15/2026

Country music can soothe the soul in times of grief and mourning.

05/12/2026

Celebrate Nurses During National Nursing Week

Nurses are an essential part of Canada’s health-care system, providing care for patients and advocating for their needs. Approximately 460,000 nurses are hard at work across our country, assisting with diagnoses, monitoring conditions and devoting time to research and policy work. Help celebrate their contributions during National Nursing Week, taking place May 11-17, 2026.

The week centres around International Nurses Day, commemorated every May 12 on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who founded modern nursing practices in the early 19th century. Credited with raising the standards of nursing via increased responsibility and education, Nightingale opened the first nursing school in London in 1860, paving the way for a respected and appreciated profession.

Nurses are essential members of the health-care workforce, providing care through every stage of life. From the moment of birth until a person’s last breath, nurses play a vital role, providing comfort, care and compassion. National Nursing Week is the perfect time to reflect on all they have done to help us and our loved ones, and extend a sincere thank you for their hard work and dedication.

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online