Britton Funeral Home

05/30/2026

Sonya Marie Boone of Ashland passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the age of 61. She was born on September 29,1964, and was the daughter of the late Kenneth Boone and Joan Boone. Sonya is survived ...

05/29/2026

Grandpa Elephant knows that it is his time to go to the elephant graveyard, and so he begins his farewell to his grandchildren. The young elephants are confused, but they soon realize that although there is sadness, the mystery of death holds countless possibilities. Maybe Grandpa Elephant will g...

05/26/2026

William

05/25/2026

The Importance of Tears when we Grieve

Grievers will often comment that they are surprised at how much they cry after someone they love dies. Sometimes efforts are made to hold back these tears and suppress this natural instinct, nonetheless tears are necessary when grieving. It takes a great deal of energy for someone to hold back tears.

So why do we cry tears when we are sad?

The tears of grievers (yes scientists have studied this!) are actually made up of less water and contain more hormones than the tears of happiness. When individuals who grieve experience sadness, the brain sends messages to their body which causes a surge in stress hormone levels which then needs to be distributed in response to these feelings. Our eyes form tears to release this stress that has been created in the body. Our bodies also release a hormone that is similar to the one found in women who breastfeed, which helps to calm us down. Tears are a body’s way of creating a cathartic emotional release.

So the job of the griever is to let these tears flow naturally when they need to be expressed. This releases sadness from the body, which helps curb other physical symptoms that may be caused by suppressing tears such as anxiety, depression, and body pain. So get the tissues out and release that sadness when you need to.

Margaret Lorrie Beaton, MA
Bereavement Counsellor

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online

05/20/2026

Selecting an Urn

Below are some considerations when you are purchasing an urn.

• Personalize the urn. Choose an urn with a theme which in some way reflects the life of the deceased. What did they enjoy doing? Did they dance? Did they fish? An urn is usually the main focal point of a memorial service, displayed with photographs and surrounded by floral arrangements.

• Materials which the urn is made of. Where will the final resting place for the urn be? If the urn is placed in a columbarium or niche (above ground inurnment), then the urn can be made from any material. If the urn is to be interred in the ground, materials which are unaffected by a variety of soil conditions are recommended. Wooden urns will deteriorate over time if placed in the ground.

• Size. What is the maximum size of an urn that can be chosen? When an urn is interred in the ground, size is less of a factor; those opening the grave can easily increase the size of the opening. When placing an urn in a niche however, the dimensions of the location are fixed and as such, dictate the final size of any urns that are placed within it.

• Pricing. We have a large selection of urns with choices for every budget.

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online

05/16/2026

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of Carolyn Anne DeMerchant of East Brighton announce her passing on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. She was born October 29, 1958, and ...

05/15/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day

The management and staff of Britton Funeral Home wish mothers everywhere a happy Mother’s Day. Whether you are raising a young family or are the parent of mature adults, your constant unconditional support is always appreciated. Your love inspires and your efforts make the world an easier place to live in. In memory of mothers who are no longer with us, you are always in our thoughts.

“A mom’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” Anonymous

05/06/2026

Cemetery Lingo
What does a cemeterian mean when they say…?

It is important that language which dignifies the family and deceased is used by personnel engaged in the cemetery profession. The following are a few terms you may hear in conversations with cemetery officials.
• Interment: burial of a casket.
• Inurnment: burial of an urn.
• Memorialization: the manner in which information concerning the deceased is placed on a permanent marker. Content can include but is not limited to dates of birth and death, names including nick names and maiden names, and an epitaph.
• Vault: a concrete outer container which the casket is placed inside for its protection.
• Columbarium: a location which contains niches where urns may be inurned. With this interment option, the final resting place is above ground.
• Time of need: this term is typically used when discussing prearrangements. It is the time when the individual passes away and needs the services which have been prearranged.

© Britton Funeral Home/CFHC Online

05/01/2026

The death of Heather Grace Hoag of Victoria Corner, NB occurred on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville. Heather was born in Fredericton, NB on July 18, 1946, and was the daughter of the ...