Tompkins Funeral Home

Tompkins Funeral Home Dedicated to providing options that meet the needs of today's families and individuals. Our contempo We offer a variety of options for families to choose from.

Tompkins Funeral Home is a full-service funeral home offering facilities for visitation, chapel services and celebrations of life services to Gananoque and surrounding communities. Our funeral home was established in 1867 and owned by two families prior to 1950 when the Tompkins family became owners. Dave Tompkins the current managing director is a third generation funeral director. We cater to the needs of families and individuals requiring either traditional funeral services or cremation. Our local crematorium ensures families always remain in our care and do not have to work with third parties. Our contemporary facilities are well received by families, and their guests who visit to pay respects and celebrate the lives of loved ones. Our caring and compassionate staff are here to assist your family at a difficult time. We support you in many ways, attending to every detail in a timely and respectful manner.

04/16/2026

View Ron Garrah's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

The Significance of Black ArmbandsFor over four centuries, in many cultures and religions, black armbands have been used...
04/15/2026

The Significance of Black Armbands

For over four centuries, in many cultures and religions, black armbands have been used to signify the wearer is mourning a recent death or commemorating the anniversary of a passing.

A portrait dating back to 1614 shows Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, wearing a black armband after the death of her brother Henry Frederick, the Prince of Wales. The armbands were also common during the Victorian period, where it was a tradition for affluent British families to provide entire mourning wardrobes to their servants. At the request of Queen Victoria, royal servants wore black crêpe armbands for eight years following Prince Albert’s death in 1861.

The tradition spread to the Western world where mourning armbands gained popularity during the Great Depression, being cheaper to buy than a set of mourning clothes. Chinese culture also embraced a similar custom, using white armbands – the symbol of death – as demonstrated by the Chinese military following the passing of Empress Tzu-Hsi in 1908.

Today, athletes in the sports world wear armbands or a strip of black tape to mourn the loss of a teammate, owner or coach. The armbands can also be seen in the police and military communities. For over 400 years, the black armband has represented a symbol of mourning and grief, a way to inform the public of the honour being bestowed on someone special.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

04/14/2026

View Diana Doreen Potter's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/13/2026

View Jeanne Marie Keaney's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/10/2026

View Richard Earl Dorey's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/08/2026

Death. It's kind of a heavy subject. And, according to Stephen Cave, we fear it so much that we avoid thinking about it at all costs -- even when death is ex...

04/05/2026

View Dennis Leo Reid's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Happy EasterOur team at Tompkins Funeral Home hope you have a day filled with happiness, shared with family and loved on...
04/05/2026

Happy Easter

Our team at Tompkins Funeral Home hope you have a day filled with happiness, shared with family and loved ones.

To families and individuals of Christian faith in our community, we wish you peace and joy as you celebrate the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection.

04/02/2026

View Charles Daniel Spencer's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Bereaved Spouses Awareness MonthMourning the death of a spouse is, without doubt, one of the most difficult things someo...
04/01/2026

Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Mourning the death of a spouse is, without doubt, one of the most difficult things someone will ever have to experience in their lifetime.

If they die at a young age, the unfairness of this has a profound impact on the survivor. If they die at an old age, perhaps the couple was married for decades and this absence is sure to be felt deeply.

Regardless of the age one loses a significant other, there are likely a multitude of responsibilities that need to be tended to in the short and near term. It is incumbent on the survivor to assume these.

If you know of someone who has recently lost a spouse, offer your support. Helping them with their new responsibilities is sure to ease this burden. Be someone they can talk to, someone who listens to their struggles. They may need someone new to confide in.

It is not uncommon for those who grieve the loss of spouse to experience the feelings that accompany grief for at least a year. Being patient at this time is considerate of the relationship they shared with their loved one.

April is International Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month. If a family member or friend has lost a spouse, be that person whom they can count on, someone who has their best interests at heart.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

What are Funerary Rituals?Rituals are defined as any stylized and repetitive actions, words, or performances that are do...
03/25/2026

What are Funerary Rituals?

Rituals are defined as any stylized and repetitive actions, words, or performances that are done within a group or by an individual. Some will visit the grave of a loved one each year on the anniversary of their death; sometimes families will set aside time to honour one of their own on occasions such as Christmastime. Rituals can also be based on religion, honouring practices from the past.

Funerary rituals are based on saying good-byes and paying tribute, and are used when it comes to mourning a loved one. One common ritual is wearing certain tones of colour, which in Canada is typically black or other muted colours. Other present-day rituals involve singing particular songs, reading certain passages, displaying photos of a loved one and gathering for refreshment after a service.

What is the importance of ritual and why do we perform them? Rituals typically involve very pro-social behaviour, which means, they bring a community together; this holds many intangible benefits for all in attendance, especially during tough times. Funerary rituals provide a setting to remember and grieve someone special, and an opportunity to express emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Lastly, rituals help mourners to come to terms with a new reality, one where a beloved is no longer there. This is especially significant when it comes to mourning the loss of a spouse, parent or child.

In conclusion, with shared actions and words, rituals provide an essential space for collective mourning, emotional expression, and remembrance. They not only provide an opportunity to honor the deceased but also allow the living to find support in times of grief.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

03/25/2026

View Rhonda Gail Green's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Address

63 Garden Street
Gananoque, ON
K7G1H8

Opening Hours

Monday 12am - 11:59pm
Tuesday 12am - 11:59pm
Wednesday 12am - 11:59pm
Thursday 12am - 11:59pm
Friday 12am - 11:59pm
Saturday 12am - 11:59pm
Sunday 12am - 11:59pm

Telephone

+16133823088

Website

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