Britton Funeral Home

01/09/2026

01/05/2026

Anxiety during Grieving Is Normal

Anxiety, a common symptom of grief, can be overwhelming. Individuals experience many symptoms including panic attacks, feelings of helplessness, a sense of losing control, irritability, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. Death turns people’s worlds upside down. Life is no longer predictable and we are vulnerable; we become painfully aware that there are no guarantees in life. Our bodies react with anxiety to this threatening and sometimes unconscious awareness.

In the case of panic attacks, it is wise to consult a physician to ensure there are no underlying medical causal factors. And, psychotherapy with a professional counsellor may be worth considering, especially if one finds oneself becoming increasingly isolated, depressed or paralyzed by fear.

When symptoms of anxiety appear, there are many self-directed activities that can serve as coping aids. Guided imagery and meditation are excellent for promoting relaxation and a healing of the body and mind. There are many online sites dedicated to teaching these practices. Sometimes just going for a walk, going to a movie or pursuing a favourite hobby, as a way of redirecting ones mental focus, can aid in easing the stress associated with anxiety.

One of the best things in your toolkit for handling anxiety is something you do thousands of times a day: breathe. Just remembering to breathe deeply can be an effective coping mechanism. At times of stress, we tend to lapse into a pattern of shallow breathing, yet breathing from the abdomen allows more oxygen to enter the bloodstream. From this comes a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, plus our muscles relax and stress becomes more manageable. As the physical symptoms of anxiety are reduced, we free up energy to better deal with the world making it easier to gain a broader understanding and acceptance of our changed lives.

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online

01/01/2026

Happy New Years!

Our management and staff at Britton Funeral Home wish you good health, happiness and success with all your endeavors in 2026.

“Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more.”
– Ann Landers

12/29/2025

Allan Lee Orser of Hartland passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. He was born on June 17, 1948, and was the son of the late Vaughn and Ruth Orser. Besides ...

12/28/2025

David Paul Davidson passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at his home in Windsor. He was born April 12, 1953, and was the son of the late John and Evelyn Davidson. Besides his biological parents, he was predeceased ...

12/26/2025

Karen Lynn Budrow of Divide passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. She was born May 26, 1958, and was the daughter of the late Rene and Mary Bulger. Besides her ...

12/25/2025

Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas!

From all of us at Britton Funeral Home, we extend our wishes for a joyful and festive Christmas holiday season! To those who have lost a beloved this past year, it is our hope that past memories shared, provide comfort and peace.

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
― Calvin Coolidge

12/23/2025

Wayne Andrew Morley of Debec passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. He was born October 9, 1974, and was the son of the late Edward and Barbara Morley. Besides his ...

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

Reaching out to those who Grieve during the Holiday Season

The holidays are usually a special time for families as they gather and share in the season’s festivities. As the rituals of the season unfold, the frantic pace and day to day worries people carry with them through the year are replaced by the harmony, joy and contentment that family celebrations bring.

Someone grieving the loss of their beloved is likely still trying to understand what their new world will and will not include. They may not be comfortable with past traditions. They may be fearful that they won’t be able to cope emotionally with the demands of the season.

Reach out to them in advance. Have a conversation and see how they are coping. This may reveal they are having hesitation or reservations about their involvement in celebrations. Sometimes those who grieve carry guilt about feelings of wellness.

Listen to their concerns. Have a backup plan in case events don’t unfold as planned. Be supportive and comforting as needed.

For individuals experiencing loss, especially those who have recently lost a beloved, there likely will be times when grief rises to the surface. Mourning the loss of a loved one, after all, is a reflection on the love that was shared.

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online

12/10/2025

Holiday Christmas Cookies

Do you have a family member or friend who’s grieving this holiday season? Why not make some cookies and stop by and visit for a coffee or tea. You can satisfy that sweet tooth together and spend some quality time.

Ingredients
2 cups of flour
½ tsp of baking soda
1 tbsp. salt

1 cup of brown sugar
¾ cup of shortening
1 egg

2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp vanilla

½ cup of finely chopped walnuts
½ cup of chopped cherries (red and green)
¼ cup of coconut
Optional, can add dates or raisins too

Directions
Mix flour baking soda and salt in medium bowl. In second bowl mix brown sugar, shortening and egg, beat well. Combine ingredients of two bowls and mix well. Add milk and vanilla beat two minutes. Stir in nuts, cherries, coconut and optional items, mix well.

On 2 greased cookie sheets bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 mins, until bottom is light brown.
Makes 20 – 24 cookies.

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online