L. R. Giberson Funeral Directors

01/11/2026

Ralph William Holmes, of Johnville, NB, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026 at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, NB. Born on December 27, 1970 in Bath, NB, he was the son of Stephen and the late ...

01/11/2026

Grief, a Reality Check

Some grievers report the first few months following a significant loss go by in a blur while others say months drag on filled with unbearable days and night. This time often feels surreal as a period of feeling numb or living with a personality that feels totally unknown. While the world around the griever moves on, one’s personal world can feel upside down.

Many grievers mention having a different awareness as though a shift has occurred. There may be a time of day, a place or an event that presents a temporary positive state of mind and then the gloominess returns creating a discomfort and a belief that grief will last forever. Questions arise as to whether there is a way forward to a new happier reality or will life remain as a less than desirable state.

For those who feel they are stuck in their grief and they are not progressing towards healthy healing from grief, several questions need to be asked. Often a self-examination will reveal if there is progress along one’s journey. Some aspects of the journey that need to be addressed are:

1) Does the expectation of the griever coincide with the normal process associated with loss?
2) Is the individual journey following generally accepted timelines suggested by grief research?
3) Are there long periods of time when grief is denied?
4) Are self-medication practices being used to avoid grief which have long-term negative impacts?
5) Are disrupted sleep patterns, healthy eating and other healthy habits improving over time?
6) Are negative thoughts more prominent than before the loss?

Depending on the honest evaluation of the above, there may be areas that require attention. Is pretending to be okay or indulging in self-pity slowing the process associated with grief and subsequently healing? An educational component may be needed to shed light on what is considered a ‘normal’ response to loss. Perhaps the griever needs to reach out to family, friends or professional counseling for support in areas that are difficult to manage alone.

Life can get busy and exhausting, stealing away time that is needed to stop and check in with oneself. Self-awareness provides insights to identify steps needed to make behavior changes.

Self-examination can also reveal that the journey towards healing is going as expected. Perseverance and patience while in this grieving phase of life may be all that is required to regain a sense of self again. Recovery has been described as time when the griever can appreciate all that their loved one offered in life as opposed to what they took away when they died.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© L. R. Giberson Funeral Directors/CFHC Online

01/10/2026

The death of Gary K. Perkins of Centreville occurred on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville. Gary was born August 28, 1957, in Perth, NB and was the son of the late Kempton and ...

01/10/2026

Druscilla (Dede) Diamond slipped into the arms of her loving Saviour peacefully while holding the hand of her husband on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville, NB. Dede was born July 14, 1963, in ...

01/08/2026

It is with great sadness the family of Kenneth Nelson Jones, announce his passing at Central Carleton Nursing Home in Hartland, New Brunswick on January 6, 2026. Ken was born in Andover, New Brunswick on March 30, 1941 to ...

01/07/2026

It is with gratitude and celebration of a life well lived, that the family of R. Bert Southan of Wicklow announce his passing which occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital. Bert ...

01/07/2026

01/06/2026

The death of James Thomas Giggie of Beechwood occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at his home. James was born January 28, 1957, in Bath and was the son of the late Harold and Beatrice (O’Donnell) Giggie. He ...

01/05/2026

The death of Steven Michael Corey of Bristol occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville with his family by his side. Steven was born March 8, 1959, in Bath, NB and was the ...

01/05/2026

Functions of a Funeral

At a community level, funerals allow people from groups, clubs and organizations an opportunity to remember and pay tribute to a someone they shared special times with. Services are an ideal venue for reflection and farewells.

Friendships that were formed over time and bonds that were created are recognized. Those who had close ties to the deceased have an opportunity to ruminate on the relationship they shared and recount experiences and special moments. Friendships are chosen with people who we have common interests with, and it seems natural to have the chance to say good-bye one last time.

Families are given a chance to invite others to an occasion where their loved one is honoured. With the support and comfort of well-wishers, they can more easily grieve the loss of their beloved.

The life of a loved one is venerated. Their deeds, likes, hobbies, accomplishments and kindness are shared with a community formally. Respects are paid and tributes are given. In a way, the service is like a final public acknowledgement of their life.

Funerals achieve exactly this, a life is honoured; family, friends and the community at large gather to be together to comfort one another and to say goodbye to someone they regarded as special.

© L. R. Giberson Funeral Directors/CFHC Online

01/03/2026

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Eugene Joseph Peters who passed away peacefully on December 29th, 2025. Eugene, known by his family and childhood friends as "Poune", was born ...

01/03/2026

It is with sadness that the family of Thomas “Tom” Earle Tompkins of Mount Pleasant, NB announce his sudden passing which occurred on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at his home. Tom was born April 27, 1981, in Woodstock, NB. ...