Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes

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Edmonton, AB
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes

An Alberta family-owned 4th generation funeral home serving families in the greater Edmonton area

Mission Statement:
Our funeral home and staff are committed to serving our families from the heart with integrity, compassion and excellence providing personalized and meaningful services. We believe in honouring and embracing your family as if they were our own.

08/20/2025

Milestones & Anxiety in Grief

I still remember the day the anxiety started creeping in.
And as strange as it sounds, bless the anxiety.

We so often see anxiety as something that needs fixing or removing. But I’ve learned it carries wisdom. It is two things: a signal and a protector.

It signals that grief is rising to the surface.
And it protects us by keeping us moving, showing up, getting through the moments—when all we really want is to stay in bed.

At every milestone, every celebration, there it is. That sense of panic that whispers: “Wait…where’s my loved oner?”

That’s what grief does.
That’s what loss does.

Our brains are wired to map our loved ones into time and space. So when everyone’s there except the one who isn’t… the alarm goes off. Because our beautiful, complex minds hold two truths at once: they’ve always been here and they are no longer here.

No one ever speaks to us about the anxiety or grief that shows up around milestones.

In grief, everything is bittersweet. We have to walk through the bitter (the loss, the longing, the anxiety, the tears) before we can reach the sweet.

If you’re walking through your own milestones in grief, I hope these words offer you a little support today.

What can help during milestones in grief?

Create a ritual of remembrance, light a candle, say their name, or share a favourite memory before stepping into the day.

Let yourself feel both, give space to the tears and to the laughter. They can co-exist.

Carry something small that connects you to them (a photo, a piece of jewellery, a note).

Lower your expectations—give yourself permission to step out, to rest, or to show up imperfectly.

Lean on your people. Let someone know the day might feel hard, and allow them to support you.

Grief is never simple. It’s layered, unpredictable, and shows up differently for each of us. Some days it’s heavy and consuming, other days it’s a quiet ache in the background. And milestones have a way of stirring it all up at once.

It isn't easy but with some tools in our kits, we can get through the tough days and times.
We can do more than survive, we can start to thrive.

08/04/2025

Celebrating Heritage Days: A Tapestry of Diversity and Kindness

At Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes, we are honoured to serve families from all walks of life, faiths, and cultures.
Heritage Days reminds us that our greatest strength lies in the diversity of our community — and in the kindness we extend to one another.

Every tradition, every story, every life matters.

Today, we celebrate the vibrant cultures that make up the heart of Alberta — and reaffirm our commitment to serving each family with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Let kindness be the language that connects us all.

07/04/2025

Today, on National Bereaved Parents Day, we honour the unimaginable strength of parents who have experienced the loss of a child.

There are no words that can ease such sorrow, but please know—you are seen, you are remembered, and you are not alone.

At Connelly-McKinley, we hold space for your grief, your love, and your child’s memory. Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, your journey matters.

May today bring a moment of peace, and a gentle reminder that your love endures forever.

07/01/2025

Happy Canada Day from Our Family to Yours

Today, we proudly celebrate this beautiful country we call home.
As a family-owned Canadian funeral home, we are deeply honoured to serve our communities with compassion, respect, and care rooted in Canadian values.

Thank you for trusting us during life’s most meaningful moments.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and peaceful Canada Day.

06/28/2025

When someone you love dies, your nervous system can't keep up with the truth.
Intellectually, you might understand that they are gone, but your body doesn't accept it right away.
You still wait for them to come to breakfast, reach out to call them, or hear their voice in the next room.
It's as though part of you is searching for their presence, trying to keep the connection alive in any way it can. This isn't denial; it's a deeply human response to sudden absence.

Grief doesn't just live in your thoughts; it lives in your body.
Your nervous system has been wired around their presence, their routines, the comfort of knowing they exist.
That wiring doesn't disappear overnight. It takes time for your body and mind to integrate the reality of loss.
Until then, you might find yourself setting a place for them at the table, picking up the phone to share something with them, or expecting them to walk through the door at any moment. These moments can last weeks, months, even longer.

Over time, as you sit with the pain and allow grief to move through you, your nervous system begins to adapt.
Slowly, your body starts to catch up with your mind. You begin to live into the truth of their absence, even as you carry their love forward with you.
It doesn't mean you forget them, or stop missing them. It simply means your body and spirit learn a new way to hold their memory while you continue living.

06/20/2025

Recognizing National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21st we will honour the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

At Connelly-McKinley, we acknowledge the deep connection between culture, ceremony, and the journey of life and death. We are committed to listening, learning, and supporting all families with compassion, cultural respect, and understanding.

May today be a time of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to reconciliation.

06/15/2025

Honouring Fathers This Father’s Day

Today, we hold space for every story of fatherhood, for the dads who guided us, the father figures who stood by us, and the memories that continue to shape our lives.

Whether you are remembering your father, missing your child’s dad, or cherishing the lessons a grandfather passed down, your love lives on.

This Father’s Day, we honour the strength, the wisdom, and the quiet presence of fathers past and present.
May your memories bring comfort, and your heart find peace.

From all of us at Connelly-McKinley, we are thinking of you.

06/12/2025

Recognizing Our Heroes

To the brave firefighters battling the wildfires across Alberta, BC, and Manitoba — Thank you!

Your courage, strength, and relentless dedication to protecting our communities, homes, and natural landscapes do not go unnoticed. While others run from danger, you run toward it, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.

Our thoughts are with you, and with the families and communities affected.
Stay safe, and know that your efforts mean the world to us.

06/07/2025

Sometimes we feel invisible.
We tell ourselves no one notices, no one cares.

But the truth is, people do care.
They just may not know how to show it.
They may be carrying silent battles of their own.

On World Caring Day, let this be your reminder:
You matter.
You are loved.
And even if the words aren’t spoken, your presence has touched hearts more than you know.

Care loudly today.
Check in.
Say the thing.
Be the proof that love still lives quietly in this world.

06/05/2025

The Power of Hope When the Chips Are Down

Hope isn’t just a nice idea, it is a lifeline. It is what allows people to stand when they feel broken, to speak when they feel silenced, and to dream again after devastation. When you believe things can improve, even a tiny bit, your brain, your heart, and your spirit all begin to recalibrate.

Tears don’t mean weakness.
Tears are release.
Tears cleanse the soul. They make space for something new, even if that "new" is just the next breath.

When you’ve been through something heavy, loss, illness, betrayal, fear, it’s natural to feel like you’ll never get out from under it. But you will. You don’t have to know how. You only have to believe it’s possible.

Looking forward, we stumble less.
Because looking forward reminds us we’re still moving. And motion, even slow, is the beginning of healing.

Why We Should Never Doubt That Things Will Get Better

The world is full of unseen turns. Just as pain showed up without warning, so too can peace. Healing is never linear, and hope often arrives quietly, in moments that don’t feel like progress, but they are.

You’ve already survived your worst days. The proof of your strength isn’t in some distant future — it’s in the fact that you’re still here.

Life changes all the time. Even when nothing around you is shifting, something inside you is. Trust that the ground beneath your feet isn’t static, and neither are you.

Three Solid Ways to Spark Immediate Hope & Faith

1. Change your input immediately.
Turn off the news. Step away from the scrolling. Instead, put on a powerful song, a guided meditation, or a story of someone who got through what you’re facing. Just five minutes of hopeful input can shift your internal dialogue.

2. Speak something true and kind to yourself out loud.
Say it, even if you don’t believe it yet:
“I’m still here. I’ve made it this far. I can keep going.”
Your brain listens. And over time, it starts to believe it.

3. Put your body in motion.
Walk outside. Stretch your arms. Lie down with your hand on your heart and take 10 deep breaths. Movement is medicine. It tells your nervous system: I am safe. I can do this.

Hope doesn’t promise you ease.
But it promises you possibility.

Even if all you can do today is whisper, “Maybe…” that’s enough.

You’re not alone. You’ve got more strength than you know. And this pain will not be the end of your story.

06/02/2025

Seniors Week! June 2 to June 6

This week, we celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and love that our seniors bring into our lives every single day.

Whether it’s a story told at the kitchen table, a recipe passed down through generations, or a quiet act of kindness—our seniors shape who we are and remind us of what truly matters.

Share your favourite memory, lesson, or photo with a senior who’s made a difference in your life. Let’s fill this space with love, laughter, and legacy.

05/30/2025

Many people believe that purchasing life insurance or joining a memorial society means they've made their funeral or cremation arrangements—but that's only the beginning.

Neither life insurance nor society membership actually secures the details of your final wishes or locks in today’s costs. Without speaking directly with your preferred funeral home, essential decisions remain unmade, and your family may still be left with unexpected choices and expenses.

To truly plan ahead, you need more than just a policy or a membership—you need a conversation. A licensed funeral professional can help ensure your arrangements are clear, complete, and protected from rising costs.

Peace of mind comes from a plan, not just a product or file.
Call us today to start planning.
780-590-0626

Address

10011 114 St NW
Edmonton, AB
T5K 1R5

Website

https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/

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